March 6, 2013
Mathews-Dickey 53rd Anniversary
Recipes
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Brunch: French Toast
Get Outta Town
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Raise Money for a Cause
Around Town
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Library Donates
Retired educator and longtime Mathews-Dickey volunteer tutor Jeanie Wells believes that “academics and athletics can and should co-exist.”
It’s Better to Educate than Incarcerate The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club is celebrating 53 years of service, mentorship and education by launching a year-long initiative called “It’s Better to Educate than Incarcerate.” The Club kicked off the campaign at a weekend anniversary celebration in February. At the event, which was co-Chaired by Federal Judge E. Richard Webber and Ferguson-Florissant School Superintendent Dr. Art McCoy, Mayor Francis Slay and County Executive Charlie Dooley signed a pledge supporting the Club’s efforts to keep young people on the right side of the law and achieving in the classroom. The pledge was offered up by 53 legal representatives and 53 who were chosen to contribute to the campaign through mentorship and volunteerism. “This mantra sums up our mission of educating children on the front end to keep them from falling through the cracks,” said club President, CEO and Co-Founder Martin Luther Mathews. Barbara Washington, vice president of public relations and special events, hopes the campaign will drum up some
much-needed support. “The Club is a haven for our youth—a staple in this community,” she says. “We want to address everything that is keeping them from excelling. If we get to these young people before they drop out or hurt themselves or lose hope, we keep them. Some of them have never felt love; we want to lift them up and build their self-esteem.” With “It’s Better to Educate than Incarcerate” as the theme, the Club will work to grow resources and develop relationships with sponsors and partners. “From the beginning we have believed it takes everybody— the whole community, parents, churches and schools—we are the hub where they all come together,” says Washington. Funds are needed, she says, to help the Club continue to maintain its large facilities and offer the programs and services it has for the last 53 years. “I couldn’t begin to choose just one program to highlight. All of them are successful and effective. But we need to pay for those programs. We pay our young people who work as day camp
counselors. There are scholarships and programs to help members learn about jobs and college preparedness. There are field trips, educational activities and transportation costs, too.” See MATHEWS-DICKEY page 2
School
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Solider Teaches
Snitch photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment
Movie
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