“By
wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
Proverbs 24:3-4
Statement from Leadership
As I reflect on 2024 – my first full year at Crown Center, I’m in awe of the dedication it takes to make this a safe, affordable, and stimulating place to live. Most importantly, I’m continually inspired by the care and kindness shown to our residents.
Crown is always working to grow – not just in the services we offer, but in how we impact the lives of those we serve. I’ve come to realize that what matters most isn’t the building or the facilities, but what happens within our doors. That’s the true heart of Crown Center, and it’s what carries us toward our vision of being a community where all seniors thrive.
Andy Thorp Executive Director
In 2024, more than 230 program participants and volunteers engaged in enriching programs that promoted wellness, strengthened connections, and built a vibrant community.
It’s an honor to work alongside such an incredible team, and I’m excited for what lies ahead. I invite you to step through our doors and experience the spirit of Crown Center for yourself.
As I reflect on my time as Board President, 2024 stands out as a milestone year – one in which we were able to celebrate a decade of hard work, vision, and planning that brought to life our new apartment building and Staenberg Commons.
To finally see these spaces used as they were intended has been incredibly rewarding. Even more meaningful has been the opportunity to get to know our residents – to witness them enjoy their retirement while bringing warmth and purpose to our Crown Center community.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of so many – those who serve on the board, our dedicated volunteers, and all who give to Crown, whether through their time, expertise, or financial contributions.
It’s been a true pleasure to work alongside the wonderful Board of Directors, Council of Life members, and the devoted Crown staff. Together, we’ve helped turn this building into a community center and most importantly, a place to call home. Thank you for being part of our Crown community.
Engagement
At Crown Center, resident and senior engagement is at the heart of our mission. We create meaningful opportunities for participation, work to foster a sense of belonging, and create a strong, supportive community. Whether attending programs, volunteering or simply enjoying time with fellow residents, individuals find ways to connect, contribute, and embrace life to the fullest.
225+ unique program participants 1.9k • resident and community volunteer hours
Jewish Life
In keeping with Crown Center’s mission to honor Jewish values and traditions, we offer engaging programs that celebrate Jewish life throughout the year. Residents enjoy monthly Shabbat dinners, meaningful holiday celebrations, and visits from rabbis and Jewish educators who provide spiritual enrichment and connection. These programs nurture a strong sense of community and ensure that Jewish traditions remain a vibrant part of life at Crown Center.
Jewish life experiences
cultural arts programs
85 resident and community volunteers
Arts & Culture
Crown Center seeks to enhance the lives of older adults through social connection and meaningful engagement. This guides our program partnerships, and the robust offerings in the JCA Community Room, Weinberg Wellness Center and elsewhere. Partnerships with industry leaders and cultural institutions like Oasis, Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis provide dignity and enjoyment.
Volunteers
At Crown Center, volunteers make a meaningful impact on our work, supporting key programs and enhancing the experiences we provide.
Crown Meals on Wheels volunteers provide support so that over 17,000 meals are packaged and delivered annually. The drivers deliver twice a week year-round. Volunteers provide not only freshly prepared, healthy kosher meals, but they act as a “check-in” for those receiving the meals.
Volunteers bring warmth and energy to many of our programs – whether they’re welcoming guests at a special concert with the St. Louis Symphony, helping bake hamantaschen, or serving dinner at our monthly Shabbat gatherings.
Resident volunteers welcome visitors as they walk through our doors, spend time distributing newsletters to apartments, and share their own passions and strengths – such as keeping Crown Center’s library current, creating a display to celebrate Black History Month, and running the Resident Council.
Health & Wellness
Crown Center is committed to promoting health and wellness for older adults through opportunities that support physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Fitness
Crown’s Weinberg Wellness Center includes a fitness room that provides accessible exercise options, while our proximity to Great Rivers Greenway’s Centennial Trail enables outdoor activity in our walkable community. Through our partnership with AW Health Care, Music Therapy STL and private instructors, Crown Center tailors programs to promote active aging.
Client Services
Crown Center’s professional social work staff provides compassionate guidance and support to help older adults navigate the complexities of aging. Their comprehensive services include case management, counseling, crisis intervention, assistance with accessing benefits, translation services and connecting individuals to vital community resources. Through personalized support and advocacy, they empower older adults to maintain their independence and well-being.
30 unique fitness class participants per week
1,980 social work interactions
220 unique social work clients
9 interactions per client per year
22 meal program clients added in 2024
Financials Nutrition
Crown Center’s kosher Circle@Crown Cafe is a community hub that serves our clients and customers from the surrounding neighborhoods. This year the cafe celebrates 10 years of nourishing our community.
Currently the only kosher café in the St. Louis area, the Circle@Crown Cafe serves as a gathering place for neighbors and
Whether meeting friends for coffee, hosting a book club or Torah study, enjoying a game of mahjong, or holding a business meeting, our central location offers a comfortable and convenient space for community and connection. When you eat in the cafe, you are supporting Crown Center.
Meals on Wheels
Crown partners with Aging Ahead as a senior center and meal site preparing and delivering more than 17,000 meals annually through Crown Center’s Meals on Wheels. Resident and community clients rely on these meals for nourishment.
144 clients are nourished by Crown’s Meals on Wheels
697 food boxes distributed 973 frozen meals
Crown Center’s ability to provide vital services to older adults comes from a variety of revenue sources. We’re grateful for strong partnerships with local and national organizations that share our commitment to helping seniors live independently and with dignity.
These collaborations, along with generous support from donors, grantors, and foundations, ensure the sustainability of Crown’s mission.
Housing Revenue Sources
17,000+ fresh kosher meals prepared and delivered annually
Special Funds
Chused Cultural Arts Fund
Gloria Cohen Volunteer Fund
Saul & Marilyn Dien Program Fund
Birdie Fischer Fund
Nikki Goldstein Resident Needs Fund
Lopata Fitness Fund
Neal Novack Music Fund
Jean Sloofman Payuk Fund
Rosen Library Fund
Myla Rosenblum Learning Fund
Steven Rosenblum Fund
Lillian Samet Social Work Fund
The Silk Foundation Technology Fund
Benjamin & Ida Tallin Fund
Martin & Ethel Wishnuff Birthday Fund
PBJ Memorial Fund for Creative Giving
$1.49 M
$1.77 M =Grants and Charitable Foundations 27% =Contracts
=Tenants 36% =HUD Subsidy 64%
=Individual Donors
=Program/Cafe Fees 34% Services Revenue
Foundations, Grants, and Corporate Gifts
Aging Ahead Armanino, LLP
Berger Memorial
Gladys K. Crown Foundation
Cruse Charitable Trust
Ephraim Block Charitable Trust
Max & Drew Erlich Charitable Trust
Ruth Greenberg Memorial Trust of the St. Louis Community Foundation
Sidney & Bobette Guller Family Foundation
JCA Charitable Foundation
Guy B. Jaffe & Judy Schwartz Jaffe Charitable Foundation
Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Jossem Memorial Fund, a supporting fund of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Kahn Foundation of Temple Israel
Kopolow Family Fund
Edward and Thea Lawton Foundation
Lopata Charitable Foundation
Lubin-Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Marillac Mission Fund
Meals on Wheels America
Patriot Fund
Regional Business Council
Rindskopf-Roth
Royal Banks of Missouri
Staenberg Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis
The FS Foundation, Inc.
The Pinkerton Foundation
The Martin Silk Foundation
Spetner Associates
The Trio Foundation of St. Louis
Veterans United Foundation
Waxman Associates
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish
Aged, a supporting foundation of Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Wool Family Foundation
Campaign
Looking ahead to late 2025, Crown Center will embark on its Phase II project – constructing 68 new affordable apartments, in addition to essential renovations to the 118 apartments in the existing Weinberg Building, and kitchen enhancements to support the Circle@Crown Cafe and nutrition program.
The preliminary cost estimate of the Phase II project is $23 million. Funding includes about $14 million in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, with the remaining
secured through philanthropic support and additional borrowed funds.
To help bridge the funding gap, Crown Center has launched the “A Place to Call Home” campaign, a fundraising effort led by campaign chairs Lauren and Darryl Sagel. Philanthropic support is essential to making this vision a reality – and with community investment, we can continue to empower older adults, reduce isolation, and create a thriving community that more older adults can call home.
A limited number of Missouri Tax
Credits will be available to eligible donors through the Affordable Housing Assistance Program (AHAP). These 55% credits allow eligible donors whose contributions are received before April 30, 2026 to maximize their impact. To learn more, contact Andy Thorp.
Crown Center Board of
Mark
Andy
Sally
Amy
Scott
Emily
Dan
Pamela
Ava
Todd
Josh
Alvah
Judy
Estelle
Darryl
Erin
Michelle
Irl
Ann
Clifford
Jody
Cindy
Directors
Council of Life Members
Les
Joe
Merle
Steven
Richard
Mission
Crown Center is dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality living and services to enable residents to flourish independently, creating inspiring programming to enable both residents and other community seniors to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, and honoring Jewish values and traditions.