Number 331 June 20, 2025 St. Louis
Our Client Success Story – A Consistent Dream: Yonnick Jones and the Power of Showing Up
In the heart of North City, something remarkable is happening every single day. It doesn’t make headlines, but it changes lives—and it all begins with one simple word: consistency.
Yonnick Jones, co-founder of Williams Academy, is familiar with facing challenges. However, his greatest passion lies in supporting the children of his community and the families that nurture them. Together with his cousin, David Williams, Yonnick established the school three years ago, motivated by a vision that transcends traditional curriculum and test scores. They aspired to create an environment where children could thrive not only academically but also emotionally and spiritually. They envisioned a place where parents are recognized as the first and most important teachers in their children’s lives.
“For us,” Yonnick says, “it’s always been about consistency. If the parents are consistent, the children become consistent. And when the children are consistent, the teaching follows. That’s when true growth happens.”
That dream is now a living, breathing reality. Williams Academy has grown from a humble vision into a thriving Montessori-style school serving between 61 to 100 children daily, from 6 months to 13 years old. Walk into the school on any given day, and you’ll feel it—children engaged, teachers focused, and parents involved.
But the journey hasn’t been without obstacles. Recently, a tornado swept through the area, impacting more than half of the families that call Williams Academy home. Yet even in the face of devastation, Yonnick has witnessed something incredible: families still showing up.
“The storm hit hard,” he recalls. “But so many of our parents kept bringing their kids. They leaned into the school even more. That’s what this place is—it’s an anchor in the storm.”
And it’s that consistency of love, of presence, of hope, that is turning Williams Academy into more than just a school. It’s becoming a pillar of resilience in North City.
As enrollment continues to rise, Yonnick remains grounded. He knows the numbers matter, but the mission matters more. “This isn’t just about growing a school,” he says. “It’s about growing a future. And we can’t do that without our families. We’re walking this path together—every parent, every teacher, every child.”
In a world where many talk about what’s wrong in education, Yonnick Jones is quietly building something right, one consistent step at a time.
Support a Great Cause with Williams Academy STL!
CITY2 x Williams Academy STL – Disaster Relief Fundraiser
Saturday, June 28th, 2025
Energizer Park | Gates Open 1 Hour Before Kickoff
Yonnick Jones, our friend and client at Williams Academy STL, has teamed up with STL CITY SC for a special soccer event aimed at giving back! Join us for a CITY2 match to help raise funds for disaster relief efforts supporting Williams Academy STL.
Enjoy CITY2’s exciting journey toward the MLS NEXT Pro Cup
$5 from every ticket sold through the special link goes directly to Williams Academy STL
General Admission Seating – East Side lower bowl (first come, first served)
NEW Family-Themed Experience for all ages!
Energizer Park Bag Policy in effect – check before arriving
Grab your friends and family, rep your CITY red, and make an impact with every ticket!
For questions, contact **Payton at **Payton@stlcitysc.com
Let’s pack the park and support our community together!
Empowering Futures Investors Update Meeting
We were thrilled to welcome everyone who joined us for yesterday’s Empowering Futures Investors Update Meeting. It was a powerful gathering of partners and advocates who believe in building a healthier, stronger St. Louis.
We heard inspiring messages from Christopher Nolan of BJC HealthCare and Tori Gonzalez of St. Louis Capital Collective. Both shared their reasons for investing in Justine PETERSEN. Mr. Nolan emphasized that BJC HealthCare and Justine PETERSEN are united in their mission to ensure that the entire community— from the city to the county—remains healthy, addressing clinical, mental, and financial well-being.
We proudly acknowledge the continued support of FCB Bank and First Bank, two financial institutions that recognize and back our efforts to empower individuals and communities every day.
We’re grateful to all who attended and continue to support our vision of a more equitable, thriving St. Louis. Together, we are empowering futures.
Upcoming Events
June 26th, 2025, A Lunch & Learn with Marnee Morgan
To register, click here bit.ly/3ZQiLKZ
June 26th, 2025 Small Business Legal Clinic
Save2Build Savings Account at Justine PETERSEN!
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Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation · 1023 N Grand Blvd · Saint Louis, MO 63106-1641 · USA