CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY CENTER

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. IN THE SOAR INTO STEM PROGRAM SPONSORED BY WINGS OF HOPE, STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT AVIATION SCIENCE, PILOTING PLANES, PILOTING DRONES, AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO USE AVIATION TO SERVE OTHER ABROAD. THREE STUDENTS FLEW PLANES, AND ONE CONTINUED FLYING FIVE MORE TIMES AND RECEIVED A FULL SCHOLARSHIP TOWARDS HER PILOTS LICENSE. STUDENTS IN 4TH-12TH GRADE HAVE CONTINUED LEARNING NEW ASPECTS OF FINANCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INVESTMENTS IN STOCKS, BONDS, AND REAL ESTATE. FINANCIAL LITERACY IS AN ESSENTIAL PROGRAN WHERE STUDENTS LEARN FINANCIAL CONCEPTS ABOUT MONEY MANAGEMENT, HOME OWNERSHIP, AND CREDIT. THROUGH SPONSORSHIP WITH A LOCAL CREDIT UNION, STUDENT ARE ASSISTED WITH OPENING SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, MAKING DIRECT DEPOSITS IN THOSE ACCOUNTS TO INCREASE EARNED INTEREST, AND MAINTAINING THEIR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN LEARNING HOW TO PRODUCE RADIO, TV, MUSIC, PODCASTS, VIDEOGRAPHY, PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO EDITING, AND OTHER MEDIA SKILLS. ANOTHER NEW ENDEAVOR IS THE MINI NURSES ACADEMY, WHICH SEVERAL YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN LEARNING ABOUT THE NURSING PROFESSION, HUMAN ANATOMY, AND LIFE-SAVING HEALTH AND WELLNESS INFORMATION.

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 250 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.