What’s Happening for Youth is a web-based program that will make information about positive programs and activities readily available for area youth ages 5 to 18—addressing the need for adult-supervised activities to help prevent juvenile drug and alcohol use, crime and other risky behaviors such during non-school hours. St. Louis for Kids will unveil the program and web-based directory to the general public in October, also with a kick-off event.

Several community leaders joined St. Louis for Kids to introduce the initiative, including: Julie Eckstein, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Dr. Rosella Wamser, St. Louis for Kids board chair and regional superintendent of schools for St. Clair County, Illinois; Rev. Earl Nance Jr. with the City of St. Louis; Everet Ballard, assistant to St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley; and Robert Hertz, Madison County Sheriff.

“What’s Happening for Youth is another way St. Louis for Kids and its partnering organizations help our youth reach their fullest potential and grow into healthy, productive adults,?Rev. Earl Nance Jr. told the audience. “The city of St. Louis and Mayor Francis Slay whole-heartedly endorse this creative initiative that will offer our young people more access to positive, safe activities and programs during non-school hours.?

Attendees also received a live demonstration of the first-of-its kind comprehensive online database, hosted by STLCalendar.com. All ready up and running, organizations were encouraged to visit the site and submit their organizations and youth-friendly events and activities to the database. In addition, students from St. Mary’s High School and the Jennings School District 21st Century Stars and Heroes Program shared personal insights through presentations and musical performance.

St. Louis for Kids received a $100,000 federal grant from Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFCSP) to support the initiative aimed at connecting area youth to safe and positive activities in the community. “What’s Happenings for Youth?is a collaborative effort by St. Louis for Kids, STLCalendar.com, BJC School Outreach and Youth Development, the City of St. Louis Neighborhood Stabilization Team, Coordinated Youth and Human Services, St. Clair County Regional Office of Education/InTouch PSA 16, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, as well as other area youth service organizations and local businesses.

“We’re very pleased with the support and response we’ve received,?says Jama Dodson, executive director of St. Louis for Kids. “The organizations that attended today play a vital role as the initiative moves forward. In order for youth to choose positive alternative activities, they need to information about what’s happening for them in their communities. We’re off to a strong start and can’t wait to unveil the What’s Happening for Youth activities and event database to the community this fall.?

About The Drug Free Communities Support Program
Funding for this project was provided by the Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFCSP). The DFCSP is an anti-drug program that enables coalitions to strengthen their coordination and prevention efforts, encourage citizen participation in substance abuse reduction efforts and disseminate information about effective programs. In addition, the DFCSP provides grants of up to $100,000 to community coalitions that mobilize their communities to prevent youth alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug, and inhalant abuse.

About St. Louis for Kids
St. Louis for Kids is a local non-profit organization that provides leadership, coordination, technical, assistance, and advocacy to the region’s youth-serving organizations focused on improving quality, accessibility and sustainability of non-school hour programs so that area youth have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and grow into healthy adults. www.stlouis4kids.org.