Mission
Miriam empowers unique learners by building confidence and a foundation for success.
History
Miriam is proud of our legacy that spans over 100 years of service to the St. Louis community. The organization was originally chartered in 1910 as “Miriam No. 17”, a local chapter of the national organization United Order True Sisters, Inc. (UOTS) and was, from the outset, focused on community service. Property in Webster Groves, Missouri, was donated by the Bry family and in 1914 Miriam founded and operated the Rosa Bry Convalescent Home and Rehabilitation Program until 1956, when the program merged with Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Continuing our legacy of answering unmet needs in the community, Miriam also began providing assistance to cancer patients and cancer-related organizations throughout the St. Louis area in 1954. Miriam Cancer Services continued until 2008 when its programs were transferred to the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis (formerly The Wellness Community).
In 1956, Miriam School was established to serve children with developmental disabilities. Following the establishment of Special School District and other public school special education programs, Miriam School’s focus changed in 1962 to serve children with complex learning disabilities. The school program is currently designed for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade who have learning, speech/language, sensory/motor, and attention disabilities. Through a team approach, small class size, and specialized instruction, Miriam School provides a variety of accommodations and curriculum modifications designed to meet the academic needs and support the social skills development of each of its 96 students.
In September 2007, the Learning Center opened to provide services to students, ages 2 to 18 years, who wish to remain in their current educational environment but need specialized in-school or after-school support services to meet their potential. The Learning Center annually serves over 1,100 children who attend different private, public, or parochial schools, or are home schooled.
Miriam Academy, a specialized private high school providing academic support to young adults who have complex learning challenges, opened in 2017. Because of caring staff, small class sizes, and specialized academic programs, students excel and achieve goals to attend college, vocational training programs, and work opportunities after graduation.
