Our Brothers' Keepers of Southern Illinois - East St Louis, Illinois

Broc R.

Our brothers keeper is one of the most caring and helping place I’ve been too ill definitely be back

Michael G.

I had been to Our Brothers Keeper once before earlier in the year of 2024 and they helped me out a lot with bus passes, clothes, and and address for important documents to be mailed to if needed so I could get back onto my feet! I had gotten a job soon after with thanks to their helping me with the bus passes and clothes! I hadn't been back there in a while until recently when my dear friend Paulie Hawkins asked if I had heard about them! So I decided to go with him on my day off and see everyone, which happened to be on a Wednesday morning, which is the morning of their group meeting which was a relief cause I've been having some hard times due to being a recovering addict! It was so nice to see everyone and get some things off my chest! Honestly it probably saved me from going back to the lifestyle I have fought so hard to break away from! So a big shout out to Our Brothers Keeper and my dear friend Paulie for saving me from myself yet again! I've never been more thankful for friends in a time a dire need! So THANK YOU OUR BROTHERS KEEPER, YOUR A LIFESAVER! Highly recommend everyone needing any help with ANYTHING to at least stop in and check them out because of they could save my life and help me through my troublesome times, then everyone has a chance! They are an extremely polite, loving, well educated, enthusiastic, non judgemental group of extraordinarily gifted souls who expect nothing in return except honestly, effort, and to just give them the chance to help! Thank You Our Brothers Keeper!!!

Jeffrey T.

This place rules! Without them things would be way more difficult. They are a true blessing. Thank you all so very much.

megan A.

So I didn’t have nowere to turn to a few weeks back. I was gettin on the train and was waiting at the metro link. This guy was there and just like these other people are saying his name was Paulie. I was talking to my mom about how my landlord wasn’t turning our water on and how I was having to buy a bunch of cases of water and carry it onto the train. The guy told me that he was from this place brothers keeper and then he carry my water to his car and offered to drive me to the store to buy more of it then he said he’d drive me home. I told him that I was a single mom to three kids and was buying the water with link so I couldn’t pay him no gas. He said he didn’t want nothing he just wanted to help. Then after the car was full he drove me and we talked along the way. He told me that brothers keeper helps people. He said that god was with me. He said I had rights since I lived and paid rent at the place. He said if I still had a copy of the paper I signed when I moved in he could help me. When I say that this place brother keeper is special it really is. He did something that he sent to court. At first I thought he was just fooling with me but I went to court last week and the landlord not only turned on the water but he had to pay for a hotel while everything is fixed and I get the rent back for all those months that mr Paulie put on that papers he sent in. Brothers keeper isn’t a place I’ve seen but they helped me. When I got the money I called him on the business card he gave me and tried to pay him but he refused to take it and told me to leave a review about how god helped me through brothers keeper. Well let me tell you that they did. It’s nice that a place like that is doing what they are doing in the city like this we need more. Thank you guys I

Kaper J.

The moment I crossed the threshold into OBK I felt the presence of success in the atmosphere. I was greeted with a benevolent smile and firm handshake and the OBK staff showered me with compassion, they were extremely hospitable and treated me with dignity and respect 💙 Which they also provided me with a hygiene bag, clothes, and bus passes so I can safely get around the city. They motivated me and continue to encourage me on a daily basis to evolve into the best version of myself possible, by offering to mentor me and OBK had a valuable opportunity for me to join a trade program at the Youth Build program and ut pays you to learn a trade which is located here in East Saint Louis, this was truly an amazing blessing for me.
Ive personally observed that OBK helps various groups of people especially those who are shunned by society for being convicts, I never thought i would meet such a beautiful group of people who are so dedicated to bringing out the greater good in people who may of not had a way to get in the good graces of an awesome organization such as OUR BROTHERS KEEPERS and more than likely wouldn’t have had an opportunity to get a 2nd chance anywhere else if it weren’t for the generosity and helping hands of OBK. In the past ive been to other non for profit organizations where the workers were all just paper pushers and there to get their paycheck as compared to what ive witnessed from OBK the staff here honestly have guided me in the last 30 days to strive for greatness. I want to thank Paulie Hawkins my friend, mentor, and a someone i consider a brother who brought me to OBK on various different occasions and I want to applaud him on all the selfless acts of kindness that i have personally witnessed him commit to help people in need a chance to be able to rise above their own struggles when he is volunteering at OBK and when he is partaking in ways to help those who need him the most.
Thank you to Our Brothers Keepers 💙

And a special thank you to Paulie Hawkins who gives guidance to those who are lost and who is always willing to extend his hand

Audrey E. K.

Well i have part of prison ministry for over 20 years. Willow creek. I dont have a vehicle vut drive thought maybe there woulbe car pools .Nice whewe talked but this is it for this area i understand if you are small and need people to grow. I am refereing to ministry to families of loved ones in prison. Not just East St Louis. I am looking to car pool loved ones to visit people in other prisons. I realize small group. I just wonder where families seek help. Sorry for years i was part of larger groups called Prison ministry. That meant pen pals arranging transportation for various prisons since visits are so healthy. I understand now more of what you do which is great. Also no one in this area outside certain groups discusses prisons. I am also a parent have spoken to your director. Dont assume please everyone would know what you do. It took awhile to talk to anyone. Im glad i did.

Mark C.

The smartest decision I made when I got out of prison for the 5th time was going to Brothers Keeper, they helped me acquire clothes, food and hygiene and then they put me in contact with Paulie Hawkins who fixed my taxes, got my fines and court fees waived, and got me my first job He was such a positive person just over the top, completely changed my life.

CooperCollegeEmail Z.

This place is filled with great energy, and even better people.