Retirement
Just because you retire in St. Louis doesn’t mean you have to slow down. Seniors remain a vital part of the local community, and their presence can be seen and felt in a variety of ways. From volunteering with local arts organizations to working one-on-one with inner-city kids who need a hand with their schoolwork, St. Louis seniors don’t have to worry about having too much time on their hands. There are also a number of local organizations that can help senior citizens with everything from hot meals and computer classes to finding just the right dancing partner.
According to the St. Louis Department of Human Services, residents over the age of 65 represent 14 percent of the city’s population, which is more than one in every seven people. It should be noted that these figures represent the city “proper,” which is merely a portion of the metropolitan area’s 2.6 million residents. However, the services and facilities available to today’s seniors reflect the large role that older Americans play in the St. Louis community.
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Address: 634 North Grand Boulevard
2. Bethesda Southgate
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 846-2000
Address: 5943 Telegraph Road
3. Bethesda Terrace
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 846-6400
Address: 2535 Oakmont Terrace Drive
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
5. The Brentmoor And The Brentmoor Court
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 995-3811
Address: 8600 Delmar Boulevard
Description: The Brentmoor retirement communities feature spacious independent and assisted-living apartments with fully equipped kitchens, health and fitness centers, and weekly housekeeping service. Residents can also take advantage of a full social calendar, scheduled van transportation, controlled building access, a complimentary happy hour, and meals in the Carriage Club Restaurant.
6. The Gatesworth
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 993-0111
Address: 1 McKnight Place
Description: A high-end retirement community, the Gatesworth is designed for independent seniors. Residents can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with fine dining and an activity level that fits their preferences. The award-winning, locally owned community offers a full range of care with services such as weekly housekeeping, 24-hour security/emergency response, nursing assistance, and a full-time resident services director and staff. Amenities include chauffeured transportation, fine dining and special events, an on-site bank, fitness and arts centers, rooms for cards and billiards, a library, a convenience store, a business and computer center, beauty and barber shops, a restaurant/lounge, and a full-service day spa.
7. Center Of Creative Arts
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 725-1834, ext. 105
Address: 524 Trinity Avenue
Description: The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) provides an integrated forum to foster the appreciation of the arts in the greater St. Louis community through live performances, exhibitions, and educational programs. Volunteers work in the theater, gallery, and front office and provide support for COCA staffers in the education and membership departments. Front-of-house opportunities include greeters, ushers, ticket takers, merchandise sales, and even driving performers around, along with working backstage with wardrobe or in technical production. Volunteers also help with set-up and staffing for special events and fund-raising activities held at the center.
8. The Fox Theatre
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 534-1678
Address: 527 North Grand Boulevard
Description: The lavishly decorated “Fabulous Fox” Theatre presents various live entertainment options, including Broadway shows, music and comedy concerts, family shows, and more. Volunteers work as ushers for anything and everything that takes place at the theater, including concerts, shows, and various family-entertainment events.
9. Missouri Botanical Garden
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 577-5187
Address: 4344 Shaw Boulevard
Description: The Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) is home to more than 30 gardens, a world-famous botanical research center, and an active education division that offers visitors a chance to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment. Volunteers can work with specialists in the garden’s 13 divisions, including horticulture, research, Web site design, conservation and restoration, and the library. The education division utilizes volunteer instructors, interpreters, and garden docents, and the information and membership services desks put volunteers to work answering questions from visitors and signing up new members. There are additional volunteer opportunities at MBG’s other attractions, including the Shaw Nature Reserve, Butterfly House, and Earthways Center.
10. Missouri History Museum
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 454-3187
Description: The Missouri History Museum helps make the history of the region accessible to residents, students, and visitors by offering a variety of permanent exhibits, temporary touring exhibitions, and related special events. Volunteer staffers greet visitors, conduct specialized tours as exhibit “interpreters,” help with the cleaning and preservation of artifacts, staff the gift shops and information desk, assist with research, help with recruitment, and occasionally work with curators to install exhibitions.
11. Regional Arts Commission
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 863-5811
Address: 6128 Delmar Boulevard
Description: The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) promotes, encourages, and fosters the arts and cultural institutions throughout the St. Louis region by nurturing local artists. RAC calls its volunteers “Arts Commandos,” who sign on for a four-month tour of duty that will take them to any one of 150 different nonprofit arts organizations. Commandos assist with projects and fund-raising activities, including everything from stuffing envelopes, tending bar, or taking tickets to painting workspace, scrubbing floors, and moving scenery. Commandos are from all walks of life—professionals, community volunteers, retirees—and participants have the opportunity to experience the arts with a hands-on, approach to serving the community.
12. Saint Louis Art Museum
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 655-5287
Address: 1 Fine Arts Drive
Description: Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) volunteers can work as tour guides; meet and greet visitors at the visitor services desk; staff the gift shop; assist with research in the museum library, resource center, and curatorial departments; assist with exhibit preservation and repair; provide administrative support; staff special events; and undergo training to become a museum docent.
13. Saint Louis Science Center
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 289-4412
Address: 5050 Oakland Avenue
Description: Saint Louis Science Center (SLSC) volunteers help the community understand past, present, and future developments in science and technology in an educational and fun environment. Volunteers help visitors explore and experience the multitude of hands-on exhibits and activities, work as greeters, sign up new members, perform administrative tasks, staff special events, repair and clean exhibit items, and assist with electronic security monitoring.
14. St. Louis Black Repertory Company
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 534-3807
Address: 3610 Grandel Square
Description: The Black Rep produces a slate of theater, dance, and other creative presentations that heightens the social and cultural awareness of its audiences. Volunteers work as ushers for performances and special events, as well as work concessions and check-in tables, provide administrative support, and assist with the production of the annual Woodie Awards show.
15. St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (314) 421-1023
Address: 701 Convention Plaza, Suite 300
Description: The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission (CVC) is the sales and marketing organization that promotes St. Louis as a convention and leisure-travel destination to regional, national, and international visitors. Volunteers provide information about the area attractions, restaurants, and arts and culture institutions to out-of-towners who stop by area visitor information centers. Two additional options include: the Gateway Greeters, a group of friendly faces who make sure visitors receive a warm welcome and friendly assistance at the airport; and the Convention Volunteer Team, whose members help convention delegates explore St. Louis and navigate around the America’s Center convention complex.