Program areas at Midtown Neighborhood Opportunities Corporation
Youth development- throughout the year, youth development helps children build on what they're learning in school to boost their grades, confidence, and overall wellness. This fall, 25 enrolled in afterschool to take advantage of free tutoring and mentoring, stem classes, and kids in the kitchen activities. They even planted their own garden behind Midtown to create farm-to-table snacks and meals and discover the importance of sustainable living.
Family pride- this year, 100% of babies born to family pride parents were born healthy, and all participants worked to build stronger foundations for their growing families. In addition to joining workshops that covered everything from family literacy to self-care, our new and and expectant mothers had access to free individual and group therapy and doula services. We also hosted playgrounds and field trips to boost our kiddo's social, emotional, and motor skills so they're school ready come kindergarten.
Summer academy day camp- during the summer,80 campers joined our summer academy day camp to participate in gardening classes, arts and crafts and our summer academy day camp. Summer camp was held in two 3-week sessions - a june session and a july session.
Adult programming- the Midtown mamas and men, club members have stayed busy this year with a variety of educational and fun-filled activities, including field trips Missouri botanical garden, braeutigam orchards, and the national blues museum, as well as health and financial workshops. The Midtown mamas even won the judges' choice at this year's lip sync battle. This past spring, saint louis university students led technology classes to help seniors become safer and more confident online. Community garden programming- our community garden blossomed with activity all year long. In september, spire (utility company) spent two days cleaning and weeding as well as building us new garden beds. We also continued providing fresh fruits and vegetables to our community members ans city greens market, and this year, expanded to donate produce to the no limit outreach food pantry. Starting in march, 2024, our garden club will have volunteer days every tuesday, friday and saturday morning duerin the growing season. Community programming- because to the generosity of donors across the country, Midtown was able to provide 39 families with gift cards and 65 seniors with special holiday baskets. Midtown also held five community events, easter fish fry, spaghetti game night, fall fest, breakfast with santa, and our community christmas party.