Tuesday, October 4th, 2022
Greetings friends!
The only thing matching the brightness of the summer sun were the smiles on our kids’ faces as they started their summer break. We had 95 members participate in our summer programming, which brought our year to date total students served to 126. Additionally, we experienced a 30% increase in members attending 3 days a week or more, which resulted in members averaging 108 hours of structured class time throughout the summer. The chart below depicts how our programming hours were distributed:
The CAC summer program provides our children with the opportunity to explore and simply do what children love to do – have fun! After a long three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, 20 teenagers were able to travel to Kids Across America (KAA). KAA’s mission is to build Christian leaders by encouraging, equipping, and empowering urban youth and their mentors through camping and education. It is affirming as a parent to hear praises from other adults about our children. I felt that same affirmation hearing that our CAC students modeled exceptional leadership among their peers at camp, bringing praise from camp staff and other group leaders in attendance from many other states.
While our teenagers were having fun at KAA, the younger children enjoyed fun in the sun, with trips to the waterpark, birthday celebrations, arts and crafts, picking fruit from their labor in the garden, a community block party, and more. Mr. Saul “Flip” White, Jr. (a world renowned Harlem Globetrotter) hosted a basketball camp at CAC for youth in the community. Participation exceeded our expectations and the kids had a blast!
After all of the summer fun, it was time to get back to school. Because of your generosity, we were able to provide backpacks full of school supplies, new socks and underwear, and school uniforms for 350 children – THANK YOU! We were also able to welcome 26 brand new members to our programming during Fall registration.
The CAC continues to play a pivotal role in developing the next generation. The daily interactions with our students validate why the CAC must continue to exist and provide our children with opportunities they never imagined. This is why your continued financial support is much needed. On Thursday, October 13th at 6:30 pm, we will host our annual fall fundraiser at the City Museum in St. Louis. The theme for the event is inspired by the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” And don’t forget – Christmas is around the corner and similar to prior years, we want all of our kids to experience the love of Christ. Information about both of these events will follow.
In the meantime, thank you, thank you, and thank you! I know that God loves a cheerful giver, which is what you are! It is therefore my prayer that God will bless you abundantly, so that in all things, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work! (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
Many blessings,
Dr. Jeffrey A. Williams
Executive Director
Christian Activity Center