Episcopal City Mission, Neighbor

Episcopal City Mission is a 501c3 organization with roots going back to 1894. Since 1954 our mission has been "Chaplaincy providing support, hope and healing to children in detention." Episcopal City Mission is authorized by the Family Court to provide chaplains that office in the Juvenile Detention Centers in St. Louis City and County.

ECM chaplains provide non-denominational spiritual care and programming to the young people in these pre-trial detention centers and at Lakeside Center, St. Louis County's long-term residential treatment center.

Attendance at all ECM chaplains' programs is voluntary. ECM chaplains do not evangelize or try to change a child's basic faith orientation. The ECM chaplains practice a ministry of presence. They walk the halls, visit the units, and play basketball and board games with the youth. The non-anxious presence of our chaplains reassures the teens that someone cares about them and their spiritual well-being.