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 long term goal is to serve in the afterschool space by launching after-school programming to the Ritenour Community. The $15,000 goal will support with our 2026 summer camp offering. 

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.