Happy Fall, Friends!
Year two for the Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth is off to a great start. We have enrolled over 50 new clients since July, submitted over 100 referrals for our clients, and assisted over a dozen youths with resumes and applying for jobs. We continue to partner with many organizations to serve our clients.
Youth Spotlight: Meet Tristan!
Preparing for his junior year at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, we met Tristan in the community at Rock Days hosted by Restoration House STL. Tristan shared his interest in finding a job and worked very closely with our Youth Counselor Lauren to achieve that goal. After creating his resume and applying for jobs, Tristan landed his first job. Since starting with DOCY, Tristan has attended many community events and made great relationships with our DOCY team. Tristan and his mom even joined us at a fundraising Bingo event for Thomas Dunn Learning Center. As a dancer and proud member of the LGBTQIA community, Tristan’s vibrant personality shines through in every encounter. It has been such a joy working with Tristan and we are so excited to continue watching him grow.
Fall and Winter Break Activities
Do you want to see something awesome happen during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks? Tell us what you want to see! Complete our quick survey to tell the community what teens want to do during school breaks. We are listening!
Our Team is Growing— Meet Bobby and Vincent!
We have two new (to us) Outreach Specialists!
Bobby comes to the Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth from the Dutchtown Cure Violence Team and brings with him a strong passion for youth engagement and mentorship. Originally from Chicago, Bobby has called Dutchtown home for over seven years and has created strong relationships in the neighborhood. We are so grateful to have him on our team!
Vincent is a long-time Dutchtown resident and has worked in community outreach for the Dutchtown area for about 3 years. He is very passionate about the community and its growth and development. Vincent has been hands-on in the community, from neighborhood beautification to violence prevention with Cure Violence. “I am so excited and beyond grateful to be joining the Dutchtown Opportunity Coalition for Youth.” We are delighted to have him on the DOCY team as well!
DOCY in the Streets
We wrapped up our final DOCY in the Streets this past Friday at Amberg Park. We enrolled 16 youths on top of meeting dozens of other neighbors at the event. Over the summer, DOCY hosted seven DOCY in the Streets events to organically engage with the community and share available resources.
Now that the new school year has started, DOCY will continue to engage with youth on the street while they exit from their school buses and out in the community with snacks and additional information about exciting opportunities available to them!
Teen Mixer
We organized an exclusive Mixer for DOCY teens last week!Through a partnership with the Carondelet Park Rec Complex YMCA, we had access to the Teen Center, basketball courts, and the indoor aquatic center. Our teens spent time learning about each other, played video games and card games, danced, and, of course, we had pizza.!Our staff really enjoy creating these spaces for youth to watch them engage with people they otherwise wouldn't have met!
National Night Out
On National Night Out, our DOCY Team split up and checked out the various NNO events in our service area. Bobby and Caitlyn enjoyed the festivities with many kids at the Marquette Rec Center. Vincent and Lauren kicked back with good food and great neighbors in Gravois Park as well as Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier.
Upcoming Events
DOCY Fright Night
On Thursday, October 19th, we're partnering with The Place, Thomas Dunn Learning Center's youth drop-in center at Marquette Rec, for an evening of spooky season fun! In addition to showing the 2015 movie Goosebumps, we'll have free food, pumpkin decorating, and attendance prizes! Join us at 5pm upstairs at the Rec Center, 4025 Minnesota.
More Youth Events Around Town
OVP NBA 2K Tournament Saturday, October 7th, 11am–5pm Bayer YMCA, 5555 Page
Gravois Park Neighborhood Meeting Tuesday, October 10th, 6pm Rita Ford Community Center, 3353 California
Office of Violence Prevention Logo Contest Deadline to enter: Sunday, October 15th
Thrive Outside Day Wednesday, October 25th, 4pm–7pm O’Fallon Park YMCA, 4343 West Florissant
Who Got It 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Saturday, October 28th, 11am Wohl Recreation Center, 1515 N. Kingshighway and Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club, 4345 N. Kingshighway
Dutchtown Movie Night: Ghostbusters Afterlife Saturday, October 28th, 7pm Neighborhood Innovation Center, 3207 Meramec
St. Anthony of Padua Trunk or Treat Tuesday, October 31st, 6pm Enter at Michigan and Meramec
Thank You to Our DOCY Partners!
