The Watering Advancing Youth Center

Given 1 in 5 school-aged children in the U.S. are alone after the school day ends, after-school programs are a critical element for youth development and success (data from youth.gov). However, the demand for after-school programs far outweighs current supply, especially in Missouri where more than 370,000 children would be enrolled in an after-school program if one were available (data from the Afterschool Alliance).

With your support, The WAY Center will launch Summer STREAM a 6 week summer camp offering. Summer STREAM, will have an intentional focus on Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math! We will serve families with youth ages 6-11, within St. Louis County. These intentional out-of-school-time (OST) programs are critical to both addressing current inequities of educational opportunity and advancing racial equity.

Our goal is to serve in the afterschool space by launching a pilot after-school program in the Fall of 2024. The $10,000 goal will support with our daily operating expenses and capacity building goals. 

Together we can achieve the following: 

Increase Academic Outcomes & Impact

• Improve proficiency levels and academic success amongst K-5 students within the District, through a focus on STREAM
  to bridge the academic achievement equity gap
• Support early readers and reading proficiency by 3rd grade
• Support increasing proficiency levels in all subjects across grade level
• Support with preparing K-5 students for the middle school transition
• Early exposure to leadership and entrepreneurship skills, and various career opportunities within STREAM.
• Create a space for excited early learners, that could ultimately impact District attendance

Total Health and Economic Empowerment Outcomes & Impact

• Partner with the district to build "total health foundations" for K-5 students
• Increase parent/family and teacher communication and collaboration
• Provide job opportunities and mentorship for teenagers and young adults in the Ritenour community - grow our own diverse teacher pipeline.