Students from Hazelwood West High and Hazelwood West Middle schools partake in the 12-week program known as Hazelwood's Youth Leadership Academy to trade in negative influences and behaviors for a new outlook on life.

The program is designed to help what are considered at-risk youth who may be having disciplinary problems at school and/or trouble related to minor law violations that involve the Juvenile Division of the Family Court.

"Some of these kids have not made the best decisions," said Hazelwood Police Chief Carl Wolf at the 2010 class graduation. "The decisions they make affect themselves, their friends, family and the people around them, and that was the only thing we were trying to get them to see."

While growing and getting tools necessary to be positive members of society, leadership academy students have realized the need of those not too far from them in age, young parents and their children, and have made helping these individuals their graduation project.

'Shop for Tots'

So the 2012 Class of the Hazelwood Youth Leadership Academy has launched a “Shop for Tots” collection drive to help support young families The Emergency Assistance Ministry, T.E.A.M. Food Pantry,  services.

People can drop off their donated items at designated collection sites between now and April 30.

Some of the “Wee Care” items people are being asked to donate include: 

• Baby formula
• Baby powder
• Baby food
• Baby bottles
• Pacifiers
• Sippy cups
• Bibs
• Onesies
• Baby shampoo/soap
• Baby wipes
• Diapers

Collection containers for the items are called “baby barrels.”  Those looking to help can bring their donations to baby barrels at these locations:

• Hazelwood City Hall, 415 Elm Grove Lane
• Hazelwood Community Center, 1186 Teson Road
• Hazelwood Civic Center, 8969 Dunn Road
• Hazelwood West Middle School, 12834 Missouri Bottom Road
• CAASTLC, Inc., 2709 Woodson Road, St. Louis, MO 63114

“The ‘Shop for Tots’ project is a unique way for students to learn leadership through community involvement,” Wolf said in a statement about the fundraiser. 

About Youth Leadership

The Hazelwood Youth Leadership Academy came to fruition through a partnership between the Hazelwood Police Department, the Hazelwood School District, St. Louis County Family Court, Community Action Agency (CAA) of St. Louis County and ACES.

A board of managers comprised of the partner organizations along with the Hazelwood Police Chief Carl Wolf serving as chair, govern the academy. The group reviews the student profiles and plays a key role in choosing the participants. Each Academy class is limited to 20 individuals from grades eighth, ninth and tenth who attend Hazelwood West High and Hazelwood West Middle schools.

For more information on the “Shop for Tots” collection drive, contact Janice McKinney of CAASTLC at 314-446-4429.