Christian Activity Center

THE CENTER WORKS TO PROVIDE TO URBAN YOUTH IN EAST ST. LOUIS, IL (ONE OF THE POOREST URBAN AREAS IN THE COUNTRY). PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A HEALTHY OUT-OF-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, SUMMER CAMP, AND MISSION TRIPS.

OUT-OF SCHOOL PROGRAM - THE CENTER'S MAIN PROGRAM IS TO GIVE URBAN YOUTH IN EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS (ONE OF THE POOREST URBAN AREAS IN THE COUNTRY) ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A HEALTHY OUT-OF-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. THE CENTER'S PROGRAMMING STRIVES TO BE EDUCATIONAL, ENGAGING AND FUN--ENCOMPASSING ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. SOME OF THE PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH THE CENTER INCLUDE FOREIGN LANGUAGES, STEM, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY. VOLUNTEERS TAUGHT MADARIN, FRENCH, PORTUGUESE, AND SPANISH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. FOUR STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE SOAR INTO STEM PROGRAM LAST FALL WITH WINGS OF HOPE. TWO STUDENTS FLEW AIRPLANES AND ONE WILL BEGIN A FOLLOW UP APPRENTICESHIP AS AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC THIS YEAR. DURING THIS STEM PROGRAM, THEY LEARNED HOW TO FLY DRONES, LEARNED ABOUT MECHANICS AND MAINTENANCE, BETTER UNDERSTOOD HUMANITARIAN AVIATION OPPORTUNITIES (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL AVIATION MINISTRIES), AND MET WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM NASA. STUDENTS IN 4TH-12TH GRADE HAVE CONTINUED LEARNING NEW ASPECTS OF FINANCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INVESTMENTS IN STOCKS, BONDS, AND REAL ESTATE. EIGHT STUDENTS STARTED SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, WHICH BRINGS A TOTAL OF 60 STUDENTS FROM THE CENTER WHO HAVE OPENED AND MANAGED A SAVINGS ACCOUNT THROUGH SPONSORSHIP WITH A LOCAL CREDIT UNION.

BACK-TO SCHOOL AND CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS - SCHOOL SUPPLIES, CLOTHING, AND GIFTS FOR CHILDREN FROM TODDLERS TO TEENAGERS INVOLVED IN THE CAC PROGRAMS WERE GIVEN BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND CHRISTMAS FOR URBAN CHILDREN WHO WOULD NOT RECEIVE OTHER SUPPORT. BACKPACKS FULL OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES, NEW SOCKS AND UNDERWEAR, AND SCHOOL UNIFORMS WERE PROVIDED FOR MORE THAN 350 CHILDREN TO KICK OFF THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR. OVER 400 YOUTH WERE ADOPTED FOR CHRISTMAS. THROUGH DONATIONS, DURING THE ENTIRE YEAR, THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDED FOOD BASKETS AND OTHER CARE PACKAGES TO FAMILIES IN NEED.

SUMMER CAMP/MISSION TRIPS - SUMMER CAMP AND MISSION TRIPS SPONSORSHIPS AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR TEENAGERS INVOLVED IN THE CAC. AFTER A LONG THREE-YEAR HIATUS DUE TO COVID-19, 20 TEENAGERS WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO KIDS ACROSS AMERICA (KAA). KAA'S MISSION IS TO BUILD CHRISTIAN LEADERS BY ENCOURAGING, EQUIPPING, AND EMPOWERING URBAN YOUTH AND THEIR MENTORS THROUGH CAMPING AND EDUCATION. WHILE TEENAGERS WERE HAVING FUN AT KAA, THE YOUNGER CHILDREN ENJOYED FUN IN THE SUN, WITH TRIPS TO THEWATERPARK, BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, PICKING FRUIT FROM THEIR LABOR IN THE GARDEN, A COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY, AND MORE. A HARLEM GLOBETROTTER HOSTED A BASKETBALL CAMP AT CAC FOR YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY.