Programs

Founded in 1978, the St. Louis Association of Community Organizations is dedicated to advancing economic opportunities and empowerment for vulnerable individuals through advocacy, community programs, research, and leadership development. To support our mission, we provide after-school and summer programs aimed at improving the quality of life for youth and their families. The goals of our programs include: – Homework assistance – Development of social skills through group play – and Arts and Science programming including piano lessons, and trips to expose our youth to all types of music and the environment beyond where they live. Participants learn to swim, learn yoga and exercise and have planted a garden to commemorate the coming of the Hodiamont Tracks Greenway.

We offer a safe and supportive environment for 20 children at a time who are currently enrolled in school. Our admission policy aims to address the diverse needs of single-parent households facing challenges. Our staff includes a Childhood Educator who holds a degree in childhood education. Additionally, our Urban Planner serves as the program administrator, ensuring the safety of the youth and developing resources and opportunities for the program, participants and their family members.

We believe our program is effective and offers numerous benefits to youth, families, and the community. We enhance academic performance through homework assistance and by providing backpacks and school supplies. Additionally, we help reduce risky behaviors among latchkey children and promote physical health by offering healthy meals and snacks in a safe, structured environment for the children of working parents. Our program runs for 52 weeks each year, excluding holidays and weekends. However, we are available to serve youth whenever they are out of school. All field trips are educational, and parents and siblings are welcome to join. We also provide transportation and food for these outings.

Research indicates that after-school programs, such as ours, serve as valuable resources for community development. Studies show that participation in these programs is associated with increased community involvement, volunteerism, and political engagement in adulthood (Catterall, Chapleau, & Iwanaga, 2024; Heath & Roach, 2020).