Teach for America-St. LouisNon-Profit Education Guide to St. Louis

For TFA Alumni Educators

Alumni Leadership2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Academy of Science St. LouisAmerica SCORES – St. LouisBig Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern MissouriBoys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. LouisCHARACTERplusCOCACollege BoundCovenant HouseDIG It! Disruption DepartmentGirls' Inc. St. LouisGirls on the RunGreat CircleGreater St. Louis Book FairInspireSTLJunior AchievementKidSmartKingdom HouseMathews-Dickey Boys' & Girls' ClubThe North CampusParents as TeachersProsperity ConnectionReady ReadersSt. Louis Regional Early Childhood CouncilThe SpotUrbanFUTUREUrban League of Metropolitan St. LouisWyman CenterThe Youth Learning Center

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Academy of Science St. Louis

5050 Oakland AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63110 P: (314) 533.8083 F: (314) 533.8885 Science Fair Information P: (314) 533.8291

"Greening Your Future and Future Trek Science Careers Explorations"Students in grades 6-8 explore STEM careers and experience the interdisciplinary nature of science today in these FREE, fun and fast-paced high-impact small group sessions scheduled throughout the school year. Fully funded by Academy donors, with generous lead support from The Boeing Company, STEM Career programs are offered at no cost to schools in the region and directly impact more than 1,500 students at a pivotal time in their lives when they are laying the science and technology path for their futures.

“Academy of Science St. Louis Science Fair”For more than 60 years, the Science Fair has been an amazing science catalyst for students in kindergarten through high school. Under the leadership of the Academy, hundreds of educators, scientists and science advocates work year-round to bring science inquiry to life for more than 55,000 students in the St. Louis area participating each year in the Science Fair. School districts select their top student projects and submit them to the Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair, held at Queeny Park.

The Monsanto Fund and SunEdison continue their tradition of supporting scientific learning and discovery. In 2013, there were over 4,500 students representing 250 public and private schools with close to $60,000 in awards and scholarships presented to top projects. High school students with honors-level projects further compete for scholarship awards and represent the St. Louis area at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

“Junior Academy of Science”More than 400 middle and high school students from public, private and home schools across the region experience hands-on opportunities in science, engineering and medicine through the Junior Academy. Corporations, science organizations and universities open their labs and research areas to these teens at a critical time…when they are laying the science and technology path for their future. By extracting DNA at the Genome Sequencing Center, meeting with leading-edge aerospace engineers at Boeing, experiencing an overnight at the Shaw Nature Reserve, working in the dissection lab at Saint Louis University and having access to the best university libraries, Junior Academy members realize the importance of an

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interdisciplinary approach to discovery and a strong, early grounding in math and science. Recognizing that each child has potential, Junior Academy membership is open and available to all middle and high school students in the area and offers challenging and engaging science competitions and opportunities for a full range of academic levels. Thanks to donations, Junior Academy memberships start at $30 and scholarships are available to students in need.America SCORES – St. Louis

4236 Lindell Blvd., Suite 204St. Louis, MO 63108P: (314) 533.0302F: (314) 533.8674

America SCORES St. Louis empowers students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression, and service-learning. With teamwork as the unifying value, America SCORES St. Louis inspires youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities.

FROM AMERICA SCORES:

How We Do It:1. America SCORES St. Louis partners with urban public schools and provides

teachers with the necessary tools to be effective poetry and soccer coaches.2. Boys and girls teams are created in participating schools, and each team is

paired with a writing and soccer coach that work together to teach students skills on and off the field during after-school hours.

3. SCORES utilizes curricula aligned with national education standards to engage youth in literacy, health, soccer, and service-learning.

4. Events such as game days, poetry slams, and service activities unite our community around SCORES youth.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri

501 N Grand Blvd, Suite 100 St. Louis, MO 63103P: (314) 361.5900F: (314) 361.4484

“BBBS is a an amazing organization in St. Louis that is not afraid to work through the challenges of urban city children and schools. BBBS supports the community in a variety of ways and when we are unable to provide a resource for a family we strive to find someone who can. As an employee at BBBS I am privileged to see volunteers mentor students and help them develop into successful young adults with a new awareness of life.”

-Patricia Guobadia,

In 2005, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri staked out a bold path – partner with public schools and jointly share the challenges of ensuring that children, specifically Little Brothers and Little Sisters attend school, behave when they get there, and experience classroom success in reading and math.

Since that time, Big Brothers Big Sisters has continued to grow services in both the urban and rural markets. Currently, the agency is partnering with three school districts (St. Louis Public Schools, Cape Girardeau Public Schools and Normandy Public Schools) and serving over 1,300 Littles. The agency has a commitment to expand and serve over 2,000 Littles in these school districts over the next three years.

Want to sign up to be a Big? Fill out the application online today!

Want to know the differences your involvement help to create? During the 2012-2013 school year over 1,300 Littles were matched with Bigs and the results were powerful:74.7% students had less than 10 absences (excused and unexcused)89.8% students had less than 5 discipline referrals82.8% students were receiving a passing Reading grade79.3% students were receiving a passing Math grade

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

2901 North Grand AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63107P: (314) 335.8000F: (314) 652.7509

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis is proud to be a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a 151 year old national movement that serves 4.2 million youth with 51,000 trained professional staff members. Since 1967, BGCSTL has been providing a safe place for children to learn and grow. The Club now serves over 5,700 kids, including over 3,400 registered Club members at four sites and within several other schools in the St. Louis region. The Club is open during hours that kids are most likely to need a safe place to go — after school and during summer.

BGCSTL’s “Formula For Impact” is a research-based theory of change that calls for us to consistently provide the most powerful Club experience possible by implementing the Five Key Elements for Positive Youth Development, offering high-yield activities, providing targeted programs, and encouraging regular attendance – all of which we know help youth achieve priority outcomes.

The Five Key Elements for Positive Youth Development are: • Creating a safe, positive environment • Having fun • Developing supportive relationships with caring adults • Offering opportunities for and having high expectations of members • Recognizing members for who they are and their achievements

We serve kids in more than 90 zip codes, and our average daily attendance is over 450 youth. 36 board members, 95 full- and part-time staff members, and 750 volunteers work diligently to create, implement and sustain programming that nurtures the growth and self-esteem of members. Volunteers donate roughly 30,000 hours of their time annually.

CHARACTERplus

1460 Craig Road St. Louis, MO 63146P: 1-800-835-8282F: (314) 692.978

CHARACTERplus®, a resource of EducationPlus, formerly Cooperating School Districts, works to advance the cause of character education and sustain its impact on the lives of educators and students by: designing, promoting and facilitating processes and best practices;

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serving educators and enhancing their commitment to character education; actively recruiting and developing community support; and continually evaluating the impact of our programs and services.

Started in 1988 by a concerned group of educators, parents and business leaders who decided that something had to be done about the deterioration of basic values, CHARACTERplus now reaches more than 330,000 students, 645 schools, 29,000 teachers and 75 districts throughout Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.

CHARACTERplus helps schools build consensus about what values or character traits to teach and which programs to use. Using the CHARACTERplus Process, each school develops a character education curriculum and program that meets its community’s unique needs.

CHARACTERplus also has the support of over 30 businesses, countless individuals, as well as foundations, federal and state grants. It is the nation’s largest community-wide initiative in character education.

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COCA-Center of Creative Arts

524 Trinity AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63130P: (314) 725.6555

COCA (Center of Creative Arts) has been providing meaningful arts experiences to St. Louisans and their families for two decades. COCA has become the largest multidisciplinary arts institution and one of the most valuable community assets in the St. Louis metropolitan area. We are very proud to have been recognized by the community as "Best Arts Organization" in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times.

COCA's after-school classes in the performing, literary and visual arts have been offered as at schools and districts throughout the St. Louis metro area since 1992. These opportunities extend learning outside the school day, supporting and enhancing in-school curriculum. After-school classes may be scheduled in eight-week (or longer) sessions or throughout the entire school year. Theatre, music and dance classes culminate in an observation day or performance; visual arts classes culminate in a showing of work. Introductory one-time workshops based on many of the classes listed are available.

Minimum number of students: 8 (for tuition-based programs) Maximum number of students is determined by student age, program content

and available space. Tuition Sample A (8-week class): Individual students register & pay tuition

through COCA: Eight-week class session meeting once per week for 60-minutes - $120 per student; $20 per student materials fee for visual arts classes.

Tuition Sample B (8-week class): School/Organization contract with COCA: Eight-week class session meeting once per week for 60-minutes - $1,000; additional fee for visual art class materials - varies slightly depending on class selected.

If we can teach it at COCA, we can likely bring it to your school. Just ask! For more information or to reserve a program, contact:

Eileen Manganaro - (314) 561-4880 x 127 - emanganaro@cocastl.org

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College Bound

College Bound provides promising students from under-resourced backgrounds with the academic enrichment, social supports and life skills needed to succeed in college and careers.

College Bound is the only program in the St. Louis region with a year-round curriculum that includes career exposure, community engagement, test preparation, social-emotional development and academic enrichment so that students not only get to college, they graduate from college.

Nearly 100% of our high school graduates earned admission to four-year colleges or universities. 93% re-enrolled for their sophomore year. 60 to 75% of College Bound students will graduate from college within six years – the same rate as their highest income peers.

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Covenant House of Missouri

2727 North Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63113P: (314) 533.2241

Youth are homeless for various reasons. Regardless of their reason, we are there for them. With open arms, we welcome youth to enter our doors where they will feel safe, secure, and relieved of all the stressors that involve homelessness. First we heal the body, then we heal the person. Immediate needs are addressed first i.e. food, shower, and clothing. Once basic needs are met, a plan is developed to assist the youth out of crisis and into stability. While residing at Covenant House Missouri, youth will have access to: Case Management Services Life Skills Classes GED, Literacy, and tutorial services Transportation to and from school Employment Services Individual, Group, and Family Counseling by an L.P.C Recreational and socialization opportunities Medical Care

The number one reason youth are homeless continues to be due to conflicts within the family. With that being realized, our number one goal is to assist each youth with reconnecting and mending family relationships with the hope of reunifying the youth back with their family. If this is not an option, youth will be referred, if appropriate, to the Covenant House Missouri Rights of Passage Transitional Living Program. Some of Covenant House’s other programs include street outreach, runaway prevention and crisis programming, and a live-in short-term transitional living program.

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DIG IT!

Dave BoschDIG IT! DIRECTORP: (314) 749.1313

The mission of DIG it! (Developing the Inner Girl) is to inspire urban girls to lead healthy, confident lives through an after-school program that integrates an activity-centered curriculum with volleyball instruction. DIG it! is a 12-week program for 4th-6th grade girls that will run from late-January through April at urban elementary schools in St. Louis. DIG it! is always looking for volunteers who are passionate about educating our young girls on the importance of health and wellness in their lives. In addition to volleyball, the DIG it! program also has partnerships with Gateway Greening and the Women's Sports Foundation.

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Disruption Department

Andrew GoodinCo-Founder, Program DirectorGoodin.andrew@gmail.com

The Disruption Department is developing a pipeline for high-tech talent in St. Louis. It is modeled on the professional baseball farm system (started right here in St. Louis), in which teams invest time, expertise, and money to develop future stars at clear developmental levels.

At school, many students are asked to memorize facts and then regurgitate them on multiple-choice tests. The role of technology therefore takes a backseat; not used to create and communicate, but instead used to consume. Few schools are actively encouraging students to learn how to code, design products, or become entrepreneurs. Because of this, our schools are not generating enough high-tech talent to meet the needs of industry in St. Louis. We teach young people how to design and build incredible products. Our pipeline of high-tech talent leads to thriving employment and educational outcomes for our students, and an extraordinary future for our city.

In partnership with Springboard, Disruption Department is proud to announce our new MakerSpace in Residence Program made possible by Energizer. Know a young person interested in technology and creative thinking? Help them apply to this year’s Young Maker’s Program!

Interested in getting involved? Join the MeetUp Group, or fill out the volunteer form online!

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Girls’ Inc. St. Louis

3801 Nelson Dr, St Louis, MO 63121P: (314) 385.8088 Girls Inc. is a national nonprofit youth organization that was established in 1864. Nationwide, the organization affects the lives of approximately 500,000 girls in more than 100 cities annually. We have provided educational programs to millions of girls, particularly those in high-risk and under-served areas. Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold!

Established locally in 1981, Girls Inc. of St. Louis has relocated three times to accommodate expanding membership. In 2004, the agency moved to the Nelson Center, its permanent home in the City of Northwoods in North St. Louis County. Formerly the Ascension St. Paul School building, the facility has the capacity to serve 550 to 600 girls.

Girls Incorporated of St. Louis (Girls Inc.) provides educational and cultural programs in safe environments for girls that enable them to raise their aspirations and realize their potential. We offer after school and summer programs with transportation provided from schools within several districts (SLPS, Ferguson/Florissant, Normandy, Hazelwood, U-City, and Jennings, as well as Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Ann Catholic, Cardinal Ritter). For a list of all the schools we partner with check out our website!

Daily after school hours are from 3:30-6:30pm.

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Girl on the Run!

3155 Sutton Blvd., Ste. 101Maplewood, MO 63143P: (314) 862.6266 F: (314) 644.4246

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based positive youth development program (PA-PYD) designed to develop and enhance girls’ social, psychological and physical competencies to successfully navigate life experience. The mission of Girls on the Run St. Louis is to empower girls for a lifetime of healthy living. Our program for girls in the 3rd through 8th grades inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

The 20-lesson Girls on the Run curriculum combines training for a 5k (3.1 miles) running event with lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem solving skills and make healthy decisions. All of this is accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff, and the community. Our program is offered at over 200 schools in Missouri. Click here to see if your school participates.

Girls on the Run St. Louis is an Independent Council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of 200+ locations across the United States and Canada.

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Great Circle

Maggie Aubuchon Director of Special Education (314) 919-4700 ext. 4727Maggie.Aubuchon@greatcircle.orgKaysi Rinks

Associate Director of Special Education(314) 919-4700 ext. 4727Kaysi.rinks@greatcircle.org

Great Circle provides education services to children with severe emotional and behavioral issues, as well as children with communication disorders, cognitive delays, or an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. Children receive individualized education and behavior therapy in small class settings at one of the Great Circle education campuses. As a child stabilizes or meets educational and social skills objectives, they are able to return and function successfully in a less restrictive school environment and at home.

Educational services are provided by Great Circle in cooperation with local public school districts for children in residential care and the transitional living group home. Depending on the child’s needs, residents may attend school in on-campus classrooms, public school or educational programs in the community.

EDGEWOOD SCHOOLEdgewood School offers three unique programs for non-traditional learners. The Hitchcock School serves children at the middle and upper school levels who need assistance with social skills instruction. Childhaven offers a specialized program for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.. Additionally, Edgewood provides academic services and treatment for students, ages 5- 21, with severe emotional and behavioral disorders.

Edgewood School provides a therapeutic environment with a low student-to-staff ratio and helps children improve the way they function through individualized evidenced based instructional practices . The professional staff of certified special education teachers, teachers’ assistants and licensed clinical therapists work together to provide education and treatment to students and their families.

Services are focused and individually customized for children and adolescents who need academic support, stabilization and treatment. Services include: Small class sizes Therapeutic learning environment Individual therapy Play therapy Art and music therapy Group therapy Social Skill

instruction

Speech/Language, Sensory Integration and Occupational therapies

Differentiated instruction Community based learning

activities

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Family Support including family therapy

Physical education Positive Behavior Support

Vocational Assessment and Planning

Certified teachers, licensed clinical therapists and teacher’s assistants

Greater St. Louis Book Fair

(314) 993.1995

Greater St. Louis Book Fair is one of the nation's oldest, largest and most popular charity book sales. For over 60 years, book lovers and collectors have enjoyed bargain prices on a diverse and quality selection of new, gently-used and rare books. Fair proceeds benefit local non-profit education and literacy programs.

Please be aware that other organizations may falsely claim to collect donations on our behalf. All authorized collection sites and donation drives will be posted on the Greater St. Louis Book Fair website. If you have any questions, please call (314) 993-1995 or email info@stlouisbookfair.org.

The 2014 St. Louis Book Fair: April 24th-April 27thMacy's at West County Center80 West County Center, St. Louis MO 63131Lower Level of Macy's East Parking GarageMacy's at West County Center is located at the intersection of I-270 and Manchester Road. The Macy's East Parking Garage is located on the east side of Macy's, toward Ballas Road.

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InspireSTL

PO Box 693, St. Louis, MO 63188contact@inspirestl.orgP: (314) 750.4731

InspireSTL empowers high potential, underserved scholars to emerge as a collective of lifelong leaders. We provide our scholars with preparation for, access to, and support throughout a transformative educational journey. With our support, scholars attend schools like Metro, Carnahan, MICDS, SLUH, Whitfield, Villa Duchesne, and McKinley. Our scholars have clear academic and leadership potential, but need the right opportunities to bring that potential to life. Through our organization’s placement and support, they become informed and empowered young people, ready to reinvest in their neighborhoods and communities. Today we serve nearly 80 scholars across the city of St. Louis with year-round academic, social, and emotional support, as well as leadership development services.

If you are interested in volunteering with inspireSTL, please contact Sarita Moody. We have a number of volunteering opportunities available, including:

Lead a Career Conversation with scholars and share with them your journey to success in your profession

Serve as a chaperone during Summer Academy when the scholars go on field trips

Serve as an interviewer when we host mock interview sessions to help scholars prepare for high school admissions interviews

Help our scholars expand their school-based network through pairing them with friends and families of other students at the schools they will attend

Serve as a tutor for High School scholars

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Junior Achievement

17339 North Outer Forty Road Chesterfield MO 63005P: (636) 728.0707 F: (636) 728.0708

Our volunteer-delivered, kindergarten-12th grade programs foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, and use experiential learning to inspire students to dream big and reach their potential. With the help of more than 202,000 volunteers, JA students develop the skills they need to experience the realities and opportunities of work and entrepreneurship in the 21st-century global marketplace.

Every year almost 8000 volunteers share their stories and experiences with our area youth while educating them in Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship and Work Readiness. Unfortunately, almost 15000 students each year do not receive the requested Junior Achievement program due to the lack of a volunteer. Together we can Empower Young People to Own Their Economic Success. Check out volunteer opportunities here. We provide you – the volunteer with all materials and training and find the perfect classroom in which you can make the difference in the life of a child. Will you make the time and share your talents in an area classroom? Contact Gretchen Bangert to volunteer or for more information at gbangert@jastl.org.

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KidSmart

12175 Bridgeton Square DriveBridgeton, Missouri 63044 P: (314) 291.6211 F: (314) 291.2883

KidSmart distributes the supplies through teachers who shop at KidSmart’s Free Store once a month. After shopping, teachers distribute the materials directly into the hands of our kids in need. Schools where 70% or more of the children are on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, a national poverty index, qualify to shop at KidSmart.

Since opening in 2002, KidSmart has distributed more than $27 million in school supplies to more than 102,100 economically disadvantaged children in the area. There are still more than 90,000 students in desperate need of our services. With your help, today we can paint a bright tomorrow for thousands of area kids in need.

For Teachers:For store hours visit our website. Check our guidelines for shopping at the school store.

Please remember, if you are in an Enrolled Shopping school or 100% Club School, your Principal or Assistant Principal must submit a new roster of eligible teachers before you may begin shopping in the 2014-15 school year. Volunteer to shop teachers must also have a new roster or letter submitted from the school principal before beginning shopping.

For more information or questions/concerns regarding teacher shopping, please reach out to Elke via email at elke@kidsmartstl.org.

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Kingdom House

1321 South 11th St.Saint Louis, MO 63104P: (314) 421.0400F: (314) 241.2366Email: View our Staff Directory

Kingdom House provides safe-haven for over 500 inner-city children and youth (6-18 years). All services are free of charge. And our youth programs are in high demand, partly through word-of-mouth advertisement among the local teens themselves.

Our Youth Program is a notable part of our larger effort to break the cycle of poverty and violence for families and the next generation of youth. As a direct initiative to curb poverty, we assist youth with obtaining employment in the area to gain work experience and raise their family income. We hire some youth to work as peer counselors at our agency to set worthy examples for their younger peers. Through positive peer relationships, youth encourage each other to stay in school make good grades, and pursue college. Meanwhile, staff youth directors do their part to help reduce the incidence of substance use, gang participation, violence, and teen pregnancy among local youth by providing high quality attention.

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Matthews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club

4245 North Kingshighway Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63115P: (314) 382.5952F: (314) 389.3033

The Mathews-Dickey Boys' & Girls' Club, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1960 by Martin L. Mathews and the late Hubert "Dickey" Ballentine. Initially, the Club was designed to provide structured recreational activities to neighborhood youths. Today, the Club's goals are more focused and comprehensive and are aimed at: Emphasizing the three Rs - Respect, Restraint, Responsibility - through athletic

competition and team-building in football, baseball, basketball, swimming, softball, cheerleading and other recreational activities;

Building self-esteem, while allowing for personal growth, emphasizing the importance of becoming literate and educated citizens;

Addressing problems stemming from teen idleness (such as substance abuse, gang violence, teen pregnancy and illiteracy);

Instilling the desire to lead productive lives and to become positive contributors and future leaders in the community;

Teaching moral, personal, social, cultural development, health and wellness practices.

Today, the Club serves more than 40,000 young men and women, ages 5-18, throughout the St. Louis-metropolitan area through our programming, including after school and summer. The Club also serves as a meeting center for various community, social and business organizations and as an outreach resource center for troubled youth

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The North Campus

4449 Red Bud AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63115P: (314) 769.9000

The North Campus is a community centered around education. Located in north St. Louis City, North Campus includes the O’Fallon neighborhood and sections of the Penrose and College Hill neighborhoods. Our goal is to build a pipeline of success from birth through college graduation for all the children living in our boundaries.

Our Mission is to coordinate an expansive network of partnerships working together for a common goal: providing the children of the North Campus with a world-class education and an enriching childhood experience so that they will ultimately lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Part of our mission at the North Campus is to individualize and tailor our programming for each North Campus student. Our goal is to make sure that each child gets what he or she needs to be successful; we are confident that the right combination of individualized attention and elective participation in our programs will lead to students becoming more invested in their community, their education, and, ultimately, themselves. Listed below are some of the programs we offer to the North Campus community, the vast majority of which are FREE. But we don’t do it alone. We partner with other organizations who are doing great things in order to find what will make the difference for each child.

In-School Tutoring at Ashland Elementary and Yeatman-Liddell Middle Schools through a partnership with St. Louis Public SchoolsAfter-School Tutoring at The Sanctuary and the O’Fallon Park Rec CenterMentoring through Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater St. LouisSports through the Boys & Girls Club of St. LouisJunior Achievement to learn the fundamentals of business principals and financial responsibilityChess Club through the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint LouisChemistry Club led by Chemistry students from St. Louis UniversityConstitution Club led by Law students from Washington UniversityMusic Lessons coming soon!Book Club coming soon!Baby College (Parent Education and Support Program) coming soon through our partners Raising St. Louis, LUME Institute, and The Fathers Support Center

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Summer Academy 2014 is through our partners Teach For America and the Youth Learning Center

Do you or your organization have a program (or course) to offer our students or their families? If so, please fill out this form: www.thenorthcampus.org/programs/proposal

Parents as Teachers

2228 Ball Drive,St. Louis, MO 63146P: (314) 432.4330

Parents as Teachers helps organizations and professionals work with parents during the critical early years of their children's lives, from conception to kindergarten—and the results are powerful.

Affiliates operate year 'round, providing monthly personal visits to families and group connections focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family well-being. They support parents throughout pregnancy until their children enter kindergarten. They provide health, hearing, vision and developmental screenings for eligible children using approved screening tools and methods. They connect families to resources and help them overcome any barriers to accessing them.

PARENT EDUCATORSOur affiliates employ around 10,000 professionals called "parent educators" who are highly educated and work directly with families through home visits.•More than half have bachelor's degrees.•About 15% have advanced degrees.•All receive ongoing professional development and meet annual recertification requirements.•More than two-thirds are employed full-time.•About 20% are bilingual.

We develop curricula.Grounded in the latest research, Parents as Teachers develops curricula that support a parent’s role in promoting school readiness and healthy development of children. Our approach is intimate and relationship-based. We embrace learning experiences that are relevant and customized for the individual needs of each family and child. As a result, individuals and organizations who use our curricula benefit from our understanding of the evolving needs of today’s families and children.We train professionals. Our organization is successful only when those we support are able to effectively meet the needs of the children and families they serve. Leading health, education and social service organizations and professionals seek out Parents as Teachers curricula and training because of its flexibility to easily integrate with other services they provide. We know our partners

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serve broad and diverse populations, so our training addresses the developmental needs of any child, including those most vulnerable. We offer providers practical, hands-on applications for parents in real-world situations.We advocate for children and families. We are a champion for early intervention and parental involvement and serve as a unified voice for early childhood education and healthy child development. We raise awareness and shape policy around evidence-based practices that support the importance of enhancing school readiness by reaching children during the critical, formative years of life.We set high standards. Our commitment to research and quality drives our organization. We are committed to evidenced-based research in order to offer the most relevant information and tools to early childhood development and education providers. The efforts of our work help our partners positively impact children during their most critical, early years of life.

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Prosperity Connection

3651 Forest Park AveSt. Louis, MO 63108Contact: Sarah Dlugolecki, Financial Education Specialist

Prosperity Connection™ (originally The St. Louis Community CU Foundation) was established in 2010 by the leadership of St. Louis Community Credit Union. It is an independent 501(c)(3) whose mission is to strengthen the St. Louis region through economic empowerment by providing financial education, resources and support to low/moderate income residents in an effort to improve their standard of living and better their lifestyle.

We specifically offer free financial coaching and money management education, and also provide access to low-cost banking options for people who can’t get an account or reasonable loan elsewhere. These key resources make it possible for individuals to earn economic independence.

Prosperity Connection’s mission is to strengthen the St. Louis region through economic empowerment by providing financial literacy education, resources and support for low-to-moderate income residents in an effort to improve their standard of living and better their lifestyle.

Since 2010, we have reached more than 25,000 individuals throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area with group and one-on-one financial education services. Our primary target population consists of low-income individuals and families in need of basic financial skills to establish and manage their personal budget, build and maintain a strong credit history, overcome reliance on predatory lending, and more.

Our staff works cooperatively with a network of non-profit partners throughout the region to provide clients with financial education training that their staff is not equipped to teach. Non-profit partners, many of which provide a range of workforce development services, family stability support, and more, integrate our educators into their programs to meet clients where they receive services. In addition to working with partners, Prosperity Connection™ operates a dedicated financial education facility, known as the Excel Center™, in an economically distressed portion of St. Louis County. Since opening in 2012, more than 4,500 individuals have attended classes on home and auto buying, budgeting, credit, small business, and more. We plan to open several more Centers in the near future.

Financial educators work to complement the services that our partners provide. Whether it is workforce training or family stability, Prosperity Connection’s

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educators sync their outreach with the life situations of the clients they meet. Also, when clients identify different areas of life stress (health issues, lack of financial services, etc.), we connect them with appropriate organizations to ensure that these needs are addressed by experts in that particular arena.

Ready Readers

1974 Innerbelt Business Center DriveSt. Louis, MO 63114P: (314) 564.8070F: (314) 564.8071

Founded in 1997 by Pat Simons, Ready Readers is a St. Louis volunteer nonprofit organization that annually trains, places, and supervises more than 550 volunteers to read weekly to more than 8,000 preschool children from low-income communities in the St. Louis area. The same volunteer reader always reads to the same children, allowing the children to associate a special person with the fun of reading. Six times during each school year and once in summer, volunteer readers also give the children personalized new books to take home for further enjoyment. During the 2012-2013 school year, Ready Readers gave more than 58,000 new, high-quality books to the children.

To be a Ready Reader volunteer fill out the online application form. Check out all the schools and centers where our volunteers read!

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The Regional Early Childhood Council

The Regional Early Childhood Council is a public-private partnership comprised of early childhood education and wellness agencies, businesses, and child advocates. It was formed in February 2011. Since our inception, membership has grown to over 100 agencies, organizations and key individuals.

In promoting early childhood development in the St. Louis region, the Council addresses a wide range of problems and needs resulting from a lack of attention to critical aspects of early childhood well-being. Included are a lack of school readiness among many young children, low quality and often unsafe child care, the need for pre-kindergarten programs, limited services for children with special needs and in Missouri outdated child care licensing regulations and a weak system of child care assistance.

The St. Louis Regional Early Childhood Council (RECC) is comprised of the full Council, Governing and Steering Committees, and six program committees. The full RECC Council includes a Governing and Steering Committee. The Governing Committee is the primary decision-making body for the Council and the Steering Committee functions as an executive committee. Elizabeth George, Deaconess Foundation, and Doug Rasmussen, St. Louis County Economic Council, are co-chairs of the St. Louis Regional Early Childhood Council and its Governing and Steering Committees.

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The Spot

4169 Laclede Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108P: (314) 535.0413F: (314) 535.0038

Youth partnering with community for social justice and health represents the vision for The SPOT. True to this vision, The SPOT welcomes ALL youth (13-24) and responds to their particular needs through a comprehensive model of health and social services.

At the SPOT youth can 1. Access health and prevention services; 2. Strive for positive educational and vocational outcomes;3. Have a voice and influence in their communities through leadership

opportunities.

Our philosophy requires that the SPOT be structured around the following guiding principles: Remove barriers that currently impede youth from seeking or obtaining health

and prevention services; Create a center separate from a child or adult clinic environment that is youth-

specific; Combine needed health and social services into a single setting; Engage youth in all aspects of the program development and allow opportunities

for their leadership to be fostered; Successfully link youth into the existing healthcare system by addressing and

eliminating specific barriers.

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UrbanFUTURE

2823 Olive St.St. Louis, MO 63103P: (314) 776.3434 F: (314) 776.4885

UrbanFUTURE partners with family, school and community to bridge the educational opportunity gap for urban youth growing up in predominantly single parent impoverished households. UF staff work to strengthen these connections, which are necessary to prepare students for future career opportunities. By embedding in middle schools, the UrbanFUTURE staff is able to focus on each student individually while working closely with parents , teachers and community volunteers to monitor progress and success

This school year, nearly 200 students and families at two St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) middle schools are participating in UrbanFUTURE Restoration. These are urban students who participate in the federal free and reduced lunch program, a key poverty indicator. They attend the SLPS in the 6th- 8th grades. UF Restoration works to strengthen the broken bonds between the home, the classroom, and the community and is comprised of four key elements: INSPIRE Mentoring™ , IMPACT Tutoring™, Explore! Careers™, and UF Enrichment. The goal is to give students a better view of what their future could be and encourage them to work toward a career.

Fill out the online application to volunteer.

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Urban League of Metropolitan St. LouisFor a list of Urban League locations in St. Louis, see our website. Contact us by phone at (314)615.3600.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis exists to empower African Americans and others throughout the region in securing economic self-reliance, social equality, and civil rights. The Urban League will be the catalyst for this change through advocacy, coalition building, program services and by promoting communication and understanding among different races and cultures. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. takes a holistic approach to economic empowerment and self-sufficiency. Through community programs in three counties across the bi-state region, it helps its clients to climb out of poverty by helping them to meet their basic needs, providing educational excellence/equality and economic empowerment and encouraging civic engagement. The League’s Meeting Basic Needs Initiative provides clients in need with food, clothing and other life necessities while strengthening families and helping people become self-sufficient. The Education Initiative encourages and enables participants to apply learning to everyday situations, to embrace technology and to achieve academic excellence. The Economic Empowerment Initiative provides resources to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by improving and climbing the economic “ladder” to a better quality of life.

The Education Initiative includes four main components:Urban League Head Start – provides comprehensive services to low income children and their families. The main goal of Head Start is to prepare children for a successful elementary school experience.

GED Classes – helps students who have dropped out of school obtain their General Equivalency Diplomas through the Urban League.

College Scholarships – the League offers three scholarships: the Leslie, Beatrice T. Hurt and UMB William Robinson Memorial Scholarship.

Vaughn Cultural Center – celebrates and promotes awareness of African American history and culture through art exhibits, storytelling and special programs at the Urban League.

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Wyman Center600 Kiwanis DriveEureka, MO 63025P: (636) 938.5245F: (636) 938.5289

Founded in 1898 by a group of prominent St. Louis citizens, Wyman’s original purpose was to provide children living in sweltering tenements with fresh air, good food and healthy outdoor activities. In the year 2000, Wyman narrowed its focus to the particular, and increasingly complex, needs of today’s teens by developing and administering long-term, outcome-based programs to help teens find meaning and purpose, develop healthy lifestyles, and then share their success with their communities.

Wyman serves youth aged 11 to 18 in greater St. Louis and nationally living in low-resource environments and whose circumstances create risk of lower life opportunities.

Programs in St. Louis:Wyman’s Teen Leadership Program (TLP) employs a progressive year-round approach, over the course of six years to support healthy teen development, leadership capacity, college access and college persistence, beginning the summer before 9th grade.

Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program® (TOP®) is a nationally replicated, evidence-based nine-month program used by schools, communities and other youth practitioners to empower teens to lead successful lives and build strong communities.

Experience Wyman manages Wyman’s campus facilities in Eureka and hosts outdoor education camps, adult and youth retreats, birthday parties, family reunions, corporate team building, weddings, etc. for groups of all kinds. All proceeds generated from your “Wyman Experience” directly supports our mission to enable teens to lead successful lives and build strong communities.

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The Youth Learning Center

4471 Olive StreetSt. Louis, MO 63108P: (314) 531.9916

The Youth Learning Center is a unique academic and enrichment program dedicated to providing children in the St. Louis community with access to high quality STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) programming. Utilizing researched and evidenced based programs, we equip our students with the individualized tools that they need to succeed. Each program meets the standards of rigor and relevance required to qualify as a YLC program. YLC after school and summer programs also exhibit the following attributes: We hire and develop professional instructors who are willing and capable of

building positive relationships with our students We set high expectations for our staff, parents, and students Each YLC program must provide a quality experience for our students Each YLC

program must be accessible to students who need and want to participate

Check out the volunteer hub online to get involved!

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