Healthy Families. Stronger Communities
Good health is the foundation for success. Vitendo 4 Africa connects immigrant and refugee families with culturally responsive health education, mental wellness resources, screenings, and community support so they can thrive in their new home.
Vitendo 4 Africa helps immigrant and refugee families overcome barriers to good health by providing culturally responsive education, screenings, referrals, and wellness programs. We partner with healthcare providers, schools, community organizations, and local leaders to ensure families have the knowledge, resources, and support they need to thrive.
Through health education, mental health awareness, youth engagement, and preventive care, we empower individuals to make informed health decisions while strengthening healthier communities across the St. Louis region.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Vitendo 4 Africa provides culturally responsive health education that empowers immigrant and refugee families to make informed decisions about their health. Through workshops, community outreach, and partnerships with healthcare providers, we promote disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, and improved access to care.
Our health education services include:
- Community health screenings
- Preventive care education
- Tuberculosis (TB) awareness
- Breast cancer awareness
- Diabetes prevention and management
- Hypertension education
- Nutrition and healthy eating workshops
- Home visits and community wellness outreach
- Healthcare referrals and navigation assistance
By providing trusted health information and connecting families with essential resources, we help build healthier individuals, stronger families, and more resilient communities.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS PROGRAM
At Vitendo 4 Africa, our Expressive Arts Program supports the mental health and well-being of immigrant and refugee children in St. Louis through creative expression, movement, and cultural connection. Through art, dance, music, and other enriching activities, children discover their strengths, celebrate their cultural heritage, and build meaningful connections with their peers.
Our program helps children:
• Build self-confidence and resilience
• Strengthen their cultural identity and sense of belonging
• Improve emotional regulation and healthy coping skills
• Develop positive peer relationships and social skills
• Stay active through fun, engaging physical activities
We are deeply grateful to the St. Louis Children’s Service Fund and the St. Louis Mental Health Board for their partnership and support in making this impactful work possible. Together, we are empowering young people to thrive, fostering emotional well-being, and building stronger, healthier communities.
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID CLASSES
Mental health is an essential part of overall wellness. Through Mental Health First Aid training, Vitendo4Africa equips community members with practical skills to recognize signs of mental health challenges, provide initial support, and connect individuals with appropriate resources.
tMHFA
teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches teens in grades 9-12, or ages 14-18, how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers.
YMHFA
Youth Mental Health First Aid training is designed for parents, family members, pastors, teachers, community leaders, peers, and neighbors who work with adolescents
(ages 12-18)
AMHFA
Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary.
KUSTAWI SUMMIT: Nurturing Health, Mental Health, and Well-being
The KUSTAWI Summit is an annual gathering that brings together the African community, families, health professionals, and mental health experts to promote awareness, dialogue, and access to wellness resources.
Inspired by the Swahili word “Kustawi,” meaning to thrive, be healthy, succeed, and prosper, the summit promotes holistic well-being by addressing physical, emotional, and mental health. Through education and connection, KUSTAWI works to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and empower individuals and families to thrive.
The summit is a collaboration between Vitendo4Africa and the Webster Institute for Clinical Scholarship in the Department of Professional Counseling, with support from the Chiron Community Giving Foundation and the Missouri Foundation for Health.
