Great Futures Moments - News from BGCSTL |
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A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DR. FLINT FOWLER |
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Summer flew by, and now most kids and teens are back in school. Out-of-school time is such a critical time for our youth. Parents typically are not off work when the school day ends, leaving kids with limited supervision and guidance.
Every year, I emphasize the IMPORTANCE of structured activities in a safe environment once school is out. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) offers quality, structured, and positive programming that helps youth build great futures. BGCSTL has a long and growing list of successful and even high-profile alumni who grew up in St. Louis, and some are still LOCAL and paying it forward. Individually, they are shaping minds and building great futures for the next generation.
In this newsletter, you will read an inspirational story about an early St. Louis Internship Program graduate, Trisha Gordon. I was delighted to receive a heartwarming note from her recently. She is one of many examples of those who have fulfilled our mission as productive, caring citizens who were inspired and enabled through structured programming! I urge parents to empower the future of their kids and teens by enrolling them at BGCSTL! We do whatever it takes to build great futures!
Finally, we are excited to celebrate the Ascension Charity Classic this week. BGCSTL is one of the proud charities for this event. I hope to see you there! For more information about events and BGCSTL, click here.
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ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE!
JOIN US AT THE ASCENSION CHARITY CLASSIC!
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BGCSTL is one of the proud recipients of the Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson, September 7-10, at the renowned Norwood Hills Country Club. The 54-hole stroke play golf tournament features 78 PGA TOUR Champions competing for a $2 million purse.
Make plans to attend this year's Legends Charity Challenge, presented by World Wide Technology, on Saturday, September 9th. The all-star lineup features Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, golf legend Hale Irwin, representing the St. Louis Blues, Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, Stanley Cup-winning Head Coach Craig Berube, former Blues player and assistant coach Steve Ott, and standout forward Robert Thomas. Hall of Fame golfer Nancy Lopez will emcee the competition for a $25,000 purse to benefit First Tee of Greater St. Louis and PGA REACH Gateway.
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SUMMER CAMP ENCORE!
TRIPLE PLAY
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More than 800 summer campers came together to celebrate Triple Play in one place, our Mathews-Dickey Club.
Triple Play is a Boys & Girls Clubs program that builds a young person's skills to make healthy choices through cooperative, group-based activities. Club members enjoyed rotating between 10 different events including:
· Track and Field competitions
· Esports
· Five on -5 Basketball Tournament
· Swimming
· Obstacle Course
· Dunk Tank
· Human Foosball
· Bouncy House
· Rock Climbing
· Batting Cage
Club members competed in sporting events and received awards. If you would like to catch an aerial view, thanks to a kind volunteer, Grant Monheiser -
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IN A BLINK, IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME |
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The kids are back in school and that means, we are too! After School & Teen Club Programs are now available! BGCSTL programs enable and inspire youth to build great futures in a safe, positive & fun environment! With 11 locations in Missouri and Illinois, parents can choose a location that is convenient. It's affordable too! Ask about transportation! Click here to Join the Club. |
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ST. LOUIS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating more than 30 years of successfully developing youth for the workforce
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At BGCSTL, we boast about our programs, like the St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP), and share the numbers to prove its' success. Celebrating more than 30 years of youth workforce development, we would like to share one of the program's early success stories. Trisha Gordon is one of those stellar reasons to brag about SLIP! You would never guess the challenges she overcame at a very young age.
Gordon was born at five and a half months with underdeveloped lungs, heart, and brain. The hospital nurse named her because her parents didn't return for her immediately. Gordon said, "She named me - Trisha- which means loyal and committed."
Gordon did reside with her parents for a while but experienced years of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. She was homeless, placed in foster care, and attempted suicide before age 15. "I remember this day like it was yesterday. I was standing outside Mathews-Dickey when former SLIP lead Gladys Smith said, "What are you doing out here? Come in here and learn about this program!" Trisha went in. Photographers were there, and the Club's leadership announced the formation of SLIP. "The program paired students with paid positions at area law firms at that time." Gordon added, "That is the day that changed my life!"
"I did a good job at the law firm, so I was able to continue working there after my first summer," Gordon said. She went on to work at the law firm during the summer and after school. It wasn't just the intensive workforce development SLIP provided that enabled Gordon's success, but the supportive staff. Gordon recalls SLIP staffer Linda Reikes, who noticed her squinting to see one day. "She picked me up on a Saturday and took me for an eye examination and my first pair of glasses. "Having that kind of support changed how I approached opportunities. I went into activation mode and took advantage of every opportunity that came my way," Gordon said. Gordon later became a U.S. Congressional House Page in Washington D.C. for Congressman William Clay Sr.
Gordon learned many lessons during her time with SLIP. Read more about Gordon's SLIP experience at BGCSTL News.
To complete a SLIP application or to learn more, contact SLIP Director Shanise Johnson at 314-335-8000/slip@bgcstl.org.
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PANDA CARES CENTER OF HOPE OPENS SOON! |
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Newly Constructed Culinary Arts Space is State-Of-The-Art |
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BGCSTL is excited to unveil the new Panda Cares Center of Hope at Adams Park Club Friday, September 8th.
A Ribbon-Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremony highlights Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) & BGCSTL's strong partnership with Panda Cares Foundation. The space, funded by Panda Cares, allows Club members the resources and support needed to develop academic and life skills that will enable great futures. The newly constructed state-of-the-art culinary space boasts cooking and preparation necessities, including:
· Oven/range/microwave
· Ventilation
· Prep counters
· Refrigeration
· Safety tools (first aid, fire prevention)
· Storage space, shelving, and containers
· Cooking equipment
· Sinks/washing equipment.
Guests who attend the grand opening will enjoy fun activities, free prizes, and books. The ceremony concludes with a delicious meal thanks to a local Panda Express.
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THE ROAD TO YOUTH OF THE YEAR |
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
2023 Great Futures Gala — At The Playground
Armory STL
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | 6pm
Thank you to our Event Chairs
Kate & Matt Redenius
Gina & Raullo Eanes
Get ready for an electrifying evening at the 2023 Great Futures Gala our annual Party with a Purpose! This year, we're taking the excitement to the next level at the Armory STL.
Prepare to be dazzled by St. Louis' own Red & Black Brass Band ❤️🖤⚜️ and DJ Quinn, who will kick off the party with unbeatable beats. Emcee Rene Knott will keep the adrenaline pumping all night as we honor our exceptional Youth of the Year candidates and unite the community to Build Great Futures together. This event is set to be nothing short of extraordinary.
You won't want to miss it!
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The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports and summer programs to youth across the Bi-State Region while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow. The Clubs serve youth across the region at eleven locations, including (Adams Park Club, Bentwood Townhomes Club, Bethalto Club, Lovejoy Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, O’Fallon Park Club, Riverview Gardens Club, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club and the Teen Center of Excellence). We also operate Mentor St. Louis and the St. Louis Internship Program.
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2901 North Grand Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63107
Phone: (314) 335-8000
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