Saint Louis Torchbearers 2

A nonprofit organization

More About Us
The Saint Louis Torchbearers 2 was organized in 2011 after a boy at the intersection of Grand and Sullivan was shot getting off his school bus. In response to this tragedy, a Margaret Mead group of volunteers in the neighborhood hosted Camp Safety for three weeks in Fairground Park.
This effort was intended to be a one-time event to help provide training for the children who so desperately needed to develop skills to take action against strangers, gun violence and bullying. However, just the opposite happened. Out of love, necessity, and passion, more programs have been added to provide a larger safety net for the participants.
As we undertook our work in an area that is all too well known for its negative aspects, we found a lot of good and had to rethink our commitment. Data showed that 5 out of 6 of the children with whom we work did not have access to nutritious food when they were not in school. Additional data to describe the demographics in the community we serve showed that our participants:
• Live in a Food Desert and are food insecure
• Are plagued with food insecurity
• Experience Serious Transportation Challenges
• Suffer in Zip Codes with the Highest Incidences of the Most Violent Crimes

Consequently, this year, circa 2020, will mark its 9th year of service. Our summer day camp is now called, Camp Sun Splash and has become our flagship leadership training program for youth during the summer. Camp Sun Splash continues to place in our local park, Fairground. Youth 4 - 18 years of age can still attend without paying fees.

Your generosity will help the children who attend Camp Sun Splash have access to: Nine weeks of safe, supervised day camping; Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Snack; 20 Field Trips; Swimming Daily; and Participation in training modules, i.e. anti-bullying, financial literacy, team building, conflict resolution, health/nutrition/fitness, science, technology, engineering, art, math and MORE.

In addition to Camp Sun Splash, our portfolio of programs that support our campers and always ensure that they have at least one healthy food source during other times when they are not in school include:
• Homework Helps - a mentorship program to complete assignments with a college student
• Super Saturday - cultural outings into the community over a 24 dates
• Overnight Outings - Three camping trips
Seven day camp trip for nine to 18 year olds to Kids Across America 40 miles south of Branson on Table Rock Lake
Tent camping with the MO State Park's WOW program
Tent event in Klondike Park,
• Toys for Tots - A Reunion of sorts during Christmas season to build hope and renew values
• Books and Bikes - Read and ride bikes on six consecutive Saturdays
• Vacation Bible School -Study of Biblical characters, moral, and values clarification

Experience dictates that without mentors and creative programs, the children are destined to repeat the cycle of poverty and crime. Your donation will help bring social, racial and economic equity to this deserving group of children in North St. Louis.

Our success is a testimony to the benevolent community of individuals, groups, businesses, churches, cultural institutions, and youth who are paid through third party partners in the St. Louis metro area. It is truly amazing what a small committed group of volunteers can do to provide safe supervised fun learning environments. The richness in resources and positive growth in each child has been possible because of generous donations of love, time, talents and funds. Because of our combine efforts, our small non-profit has grown from:

• 17 to 50 children
• 3 weeks to 9 weeks of camp
• 1 meal to 2 meals and a snack
• 2 partners to 50 partners
• 0 to 3 overnight camping trips
• 0 to 1 Parents Run the Camp Day
• 0 to 1 Camper In Charge Day

Funds raised through Give STL Day will pay college students to work with us during the summer weeks and provide direct budget assistance to enhance our ability to help our campers learn strategies to combat: violence, bullying drugs, tobacco, alcohol, promiscuity, brain drain, boredom, excessive use of electronics, physical inactivity, unhealthy peer pressure, social isolation, abuse, neglect and hunger.

May God richly bless you today and give you a 100% return on the investment you sow into the children God allows us to touch.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Saint Louis Torchbearers 2

Tax id (EIN)

90-0746894

Address

2939 Dodier Street
St. Louis, MO 63107

Phone

314-502-9122