Communities First

Program Overview

Communities First provides a trauma-informed behavioral health and wellness program for female youth. The program is designed to reduce behavioral, emotional, health, and social risk factors among teenage girls while promoting resilience, self-awareness, healthy relationships, and post-secondary readiness.

Participants engage in a series of 12 workshops focused on behavioral health, sexual health, emotional wellness, mental health awareness, leadership development, and preparation for post-secondary education and career pathways. In addition to workshops, students participate in weekly trauma-informed behavioral health group meetings designed to help participants identify, process, reconcile, and address trauma and adverse experiences impacting their daily lives.

The program utilizes the HER Curriculum, a trauma-informed curriculum focused on emotional wellness, healthy relationships, self-esteem, communication, coping strategies, and group facilitation. Programming is facilitated by trained behavioral specialists, counselors, educators, and youth development professionals who provide culturally responsive support and mentorship to participants. 

Communities First collaborates closely with school administrators and staff throughout the program to coordinate services and support youth participation. At the conclusion of the program, participants engage in a structured youth symposium focused on strengthening healthy relationships, improving communication, promoting protective factors, and building youth resilience.

The program is funded by Prop S for 2026.

The program is operated by Communities First.

Program Eligibility

Services provided by Communities First are available to the following individuals:

• Female youth ages 14–19
• Youth who reside in the City of St. Louis
• Youth enrolled in St. Louis City public or charter schools
• Youth referred by school counselors, teachers, principals, social workers, or other school personnel
• Youth experiencing trauma exposure, behavioral health concerns, emotional distress, or other social and emotional challenges
• Youth who may benefit from trauma-informed behavioral health support, life skills development, mentoring, and post-secondary readiness programming

Programming is offered within participating St. Louis City schools and prioritizes students identified as needing additional emotional, behavioral, or wellness support.

Program Contact Information

For more information about the program, please contact Communities  First at 314-755-2158.