Causes: Children & Youth, Children & Youth Services

Mission: “By the time many black children in low-income communities reach their eighth birthdate, they will have encountered at least three adverse childhood experiences” (Child Trends). OUR MISSIONNew Heights Community Resource Center is dedicated to reducing the impact of adverse childhood experiences, and creating opportunities for under-represented youth to succeed. THE VISIONThrough our powerful, innovative programs and community-centric services, youth will be equipped with the essential tools to overcome life’s formidable roadblocks and live a purpose-filled life.

Results: Since 2010Through our multi-faceted programs and skilled team, New Heights has provided over 1,000,000 meals to children throughout the St Louis metropolitan area. We have improved reading and math scores for nearly 600 children, provided parent empowerment workshops which lead to 30 women securing better jobs or starting their own businesses, hosted five summer enrichment camps, and co-facilitated numerous youth-led community service projects. We Are Here for YouThe long-term effects of academic failure on a child are devastating, life threatening roadblocks to the true pursuit of happiness and economic stability. Every day, millions of children suffer from academic failure. This failure isn’t due to an inability to learn, but the direct result of socio-economic conditions that impede learning. Conditions such as hunger, under-resourced schools and nonprofits, and low perceived life chances become formidable roadblocks to learning. We understand. That’s why we designed our programs specifically to dismantle each barrier. New Heights is willing and able to serve as a resource to provide preventive measures ensuring every child has a fair start in life. ACCOMPLISHMENTS
•Hosted a Feed the Children event which distributed 712 boxes of non-perishable food, hygiene products, and skin care to needy families.
•Co-hosted a Back to School: No Bullying Concert which served 85 children (127 people total).
•Presented at the St. Louis Black Pages Conference on the Importance of Early Education and Youth Development.
•Structured 11 Food Distribution Centers throughout St Louis City and County to eliminate hunger in over 500 children daily during unplanned school closing
•Hosted annual summer food service programs for 1,027 youth in under-resourced communities
•Distributed 512 free books to youth in unaccredited school district to start a home library.
•Received the 2018 USDA award for high quality meal service
•Received an honorary award from Dream BIG Foundation for our self-awareness curriculum

Target demographics: Youth ages Birth -19

Direct beneficiaries per year: 1025 youth within 10 social service programs.

Geographic areas served: St Louis City & County, St Charles, Poplar Bluff, Kansas City

Programs: “Child food insecurity is not a big city problem or a small town problem, it is a statewide issue” (MO Food & Community Trust, 2020). Forks of Flavor™ is our nutrition initiative to ensure children and youth have access to healthy, well-balanced meals. Forks of Flavor™ distributes free meals to under-resourced afterschool programs, youth groups, and homework help centers. We are also proud to announce our newest teen project, “Sizzling Summer Cook-Off Competition. ”“Thirty-four percent of youth feel il-equipped to network, speak publicly, or compete in today’s market” (Generation Z in the Workforce, 2020). Branded You-Nique™ is a guided online coaching experience to “ready” teens and young adults for the workforce. Participants will learn personal branding, networking, and other essential skills to equip them for today’s economy. “With barriers such as overcrowded classrooms, overwhelmed teachers, and behavior disruptions, youth in underperforming schools are often not afforded the same opportunities to help them prepare for college” (Michigan State University Professor, 2016). College Café™ offers an 8-week deep dive into planning, budgeting, admissions, funding, and getting acclimated to college life. Youth ages 16-21 are eligible to register for the College Café™ to begin planning and preparing for their college education. “Irrefutable evidence proves that the early years (birth through age 8) have the most impact on an individual’s life. For every $1 invested in quality, comprehensive early childhood education, $7 in future costs of school failure, teen pregnancy, and juvenile delinquency is prevented” (Head Start Association). Infinite Wisdom Learning Center™ provides an enriching learning experience for children and youth, birth through 12 years, in a state licensed environment. By adapting a research-based curriculum, children are exposed to hands-on learning, field experiences, and a structured atmosphere conducive to self-guided learning. “For young people with high needs, the availability of quality programs can mean the difference between a life with positive, upward trajectory and one that is on a perilous, sometimes tragic course” (Vision for Children at Risk). Infinite Wisdom Summer Experience™ connects youth to life experiences that amplifies academic skills acquired in the traditional classroom setting. Youth are submerged into 8 to 10 weeks of in-depth meaningful experiences that expose youth to a myriad of career opportunities.