Unleashing Potential

Ahoy Maties!

Unleashing Potential (UP) is set to embark on its 2nd Cardboard Boat Regatta adventure, and funding from Give STL Day will help us set sail on Saturday, July 26 (10:00AM – Registration and 11:00AM – Race) at O’Fallon Park Rec Plex (4343 W Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115).

Our 8 - 13 year-old summer camp students will team up with mentors and educators to design and build cardboard boats. This annual community event will culminate in an exciting boat race.

Unleashing Potential’s mission is to close the opportunity gap for children and youth by building on their strengths. We create educational and empowering experiences through early childhood education, after school programs, youth development and enrichment camps.

For our regatta to be a success we are asking for your help. Your gift ensures that we close the opportunity gap for children in under resourced neighborhoods by offering STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and social-emotional skills needed so that they are empowered to succeed.

This is one of the only Cardboard Boat Regattas in the St. Louis area offered to elementary school-aged students in their community. Please support our much-needed work to help children in St. Louis reach their magnificent potential.

Gifts of $1,000 and more are eligible for Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) tax credits! Visit https://upstl.org/donate/ to make your eligible donation (donations on the givestlday.org site are not eligible for YOP tax credits for your UP donation)!

About Unleashing Potential:

Founded in 1913, UP (formerly Board for Inner-City Missions, then Neighborhood Houses, now Unleashing Potential) provided critical services for working class and immigrant populations and addressed the issues of poor education for children. Pastors, Deaconess Sisters, and church members connected with the United Church of Christ, canvassed St. Louis City to identify the needs of the communities. UP was founded as part of a settlement house movement to provide children and families with support needed for a just community for all.     

In 2018, the agency’s name changed to Unleashing Potential, to capture the heart of its work with children. While our name changed, our mission remained the same–to provide high-quality educational opportunities for under-resourced youth. UP is motivated by a strong desire to see children from under-resourced communities become successful learners and productive citizens. Our vision is to inspire children in collaboration with dedicated staff, service partners, and empowered parents.

Please visit our website for more info: https://upstl.org/