King Sam's Guardians of Good
Youth Employment, Civic Engagement and Financial Management Training, and College Scholarship Program
King Sam's Guardians of Good will be made up of a group of young adults who will staff our summer program. They will be employed during the summer and receive financial management training. Additionally, the Guardians of Good will learn about the importance of civic engagement, and we will support our young leaders as they develop projects to improve their neighborhoods. King Sam's Guardians will also receive college scholarships and guidance in applying to institutions of higher learning.
King Sam's Guardians of Good is named after Sam Golembieski, a young man who was dedicated to the children he taught in the City of St. Louis and who helped develop this employment program before his passing.
Sam Golembieski Memorial Fund
King Sam's Guardians of Good
Sam Golembieski was a truly wonderful soul, someone who would make a room light up with his big smile and bellowing laugh.
He was a great son, brother, friend. He loved seeing those closest to him succeed, he always asked how others were doing, always wanted those with him to have fun. He cared deeply about others. No matter what he was going through, he wanted to be there for everyone else.
His overwhelming sense of empathy led him to become a teacher. Years ago, Sam volunteered as a summer instructor with the Education Exchange Corps. He taught the program’s first woodworking class at Clay Elementary, channeling everything he learned from years of watching This Old House. The kids loved it. Sam loved it too.
In the years following, Sam went on to direct the EEC’s summer program, join the board of directors, and serve as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer. Sam was instrumental in developing EEC programming. He led the board to commit to working in North St. Louis City to teach and employ youth during the summer. He wanted to make sure that every child and family he worked with felt supported.
But that wasn’t enough for Sam.
After that first summer, Sam knew he was going to be a teacher. He left a career in finance to break into education however he could. He worked as a severely underpaid contract teacher in St. Louis City at a few schools, including Langston Middle School and Vashon High School, while he studied to get his teacher’s certification. This last year, he proudly got his certification. And he proudly stayed in the City of St. Louis, teaching over 170 kids at Gateway STEM High School. His kids loved him. And he loved them.
Sam was a public servant in the truest sense. With little recognition or acclaim, he impacted thousands of lives, many of them kids. Sam was a champion for children.
Some kids knew him as Mr. G, the math teacher. Others knew him as King Sam of The Rock, Provider of Freezer Pops.
A truly privileged group knew him as Sam, the loving, caring, goofy guy with the big smile and bellowing laugh. We were blessed to have shared our lives with him.
Sam left us at the age of 28. He was a Clayton Greyhound and Santa Clara Bronco. He bowled a perfect game at Tropicana Lanes and made us swear to mention that in the event he made it to heaven before us.
The Legend of King Sam
Once upon a time, there lived a great man. His name was Sam Golembieski.
Sam loved working with children. His people witnessed his kind works, and they demanded he serve as their king. Reluctantly, Sam accepted. After a surprisingly short game of Carcassonne, Sam was crowned King. King Sam would eventually rule over The Rock, a small island country used in our Global Leadership Simulation to teach children about the impacts of global warming and international relations.
As King, Sam was always dedicated to children. He believed deeply that every child deserved opportunity, and he committed his life to making the world a better place.
For this reason, King Sam's Guardians of Good will not only have access to jobs and academic assistance, but they will also be trained in civic engagement so that they too can continue on King Sam's passion for equity of opportunity.
