Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club

Programs: Sports & recreation - the sports and recreation roster features baseball, basketball, bulldog football, cheerleading, earn & learn, lacrosse, softball, soccer, swimming and tennis. The program is designed to prevent the high rate of teen-on-teen violence, juvenile crime and high school dropouts. We teach youth the basic fundamentals of sports techniques and competition to keep them off the streets and reduce idle time among an at-risk population. A total of 2,341 direct-service youth and 15,981 in-direct were served in 2014.

education enrichment - the education enrichment program is a comprehensive strategy encouraging youth to stay in school, go to college and gain productive employment by changing children's perception of education to exciting, meaningful and necessary to become their best. The club offers core programming focused on technology, tutoring, career-readiness and mentoring. Through partnerships with individuals, companies and institutions, the club also offers outreach activities in act preparation, college, health education and life skills workshops. A total of 459 direct-service youth and 348 in-direct youth were served in 2014.

cultural arts & health - the cultural arts & health program offers youth opportunities to take part in after school, culinary arts and nutrition, dance and music activities. After-school activities include aerobics, cooking, dance, drama, drum line, pom pons, modeling and more. This program addresses the high rates of negative social behavior, teen pregnancy, peer pressure and need for development of positive cultural activities. It also provides health education for youth. A total of 124 direct-service youth and 1,000 in-direct youth were served in 2014.

summer day camp - the summer day camp provides opportunities for recreation, education, cultural-awareness, entertainment and job skills for youth throughout the st. Louis-metropolitan area. It serves as a home-away-from-home for children while their parents work. The camp provides a safe haven for youth and prevents them from participating in unhealthy behavior, while their parents' work during the day hours. The program emphasizes the importance of interacting with others and encourages self-respect and responsibility to avoid destructive behavior. A total of 230 direct-service youth and 120 in-direct youth were served in 2014.