
FOR A ST. MARK FAMILY THIS WINTER


St. Mark Youth Enrichment
Learning today, leading tomorrow.
St. Mark Youth Enrichment provides healthy and enriching after school and summer programs.
For 30 years, we have created engaging environments for children in the Dubuque area.
Partnering with Audubon, Lincoln and Marshall Elementary Schools,
as well as Dyersville & Peosta Elementary

Recent Updates
- August 1, 2023
The agency aims to provide school supplies for 3,600 area kids. DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa and EAST DUBUQUE, Ill. – With the first day of school just around the corner, St. Mark Youth Enrichment is focused on providing school supplies for as many area kids as possible, but they’re 1,000 kids short of their fundraising goal. They are reaching out for local support to fill the gap. Since May, the organization has been working on its annual school supply effort on filling school bags and providing new supplies for 3,600 students at elementary, middle, and high school public and parochial schools in East Dubuque, Dubuque, and Western Dubuque school district areas. For students at a Title 1 school in Dubuque, St. Mark is providing a bag of supplies for each student. www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org/apples “It’s a huge undertaking, but it’s worth it to know just how impactful this is to area parents,” shares Beth McGorry, the agency’s director of donor relations. “Everything is more expensive—rent, school supplies, gas, everything—and that means for our community’s families in need, it’s even harder.” But just what do supplies for that many kids look like? St. Mark gets as many new supplies as possible from businesses like Hartig Drug and other local sources at the best rates possible. This year those total more than 25,000 pencils, 12,500 folders, 9,000 glue sticks, 4,500 crayons, 9,000 notebooks, and more supplies kids need on the first day of school. “Because of these partnerships, we’re able to fill the bag of one of these students for as little as $49,” adds McGorry. “Just $49 gets a child all the crayons, pencils, notebooks, and more they need for the first day of school. Parents have enough to worry about today, school supplies shouldn’t be one of them. That’s the peace of mind we’re hoping to deliver.” McGorry adds that while dollars always go further to support more kids, the organization is still in need of a large number of 1-inch binders if people prefer to shop. Since the project started more than 20 years ago, St. Mark has worked with the community to provide supplies to fill more than 34,600 bags and counting for area kids. To donate, volunteer, learn more, or start a fundraiser at your business, visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org, email bmcgorry@stmarkyouthenrichment.org or call 563-582-6211 ext. 110. If you’re in need of school supplies, please reach out to your school’s counselor to be added to the supply list. St. Mark is committed to sending supplies to area schools and is providing a bag of supplies for each student in local Title 1 Schools. Sign-ups for supplies and other community resources will also be available at the Back to School Bash on August 5 from 11 AM-2 PM at Audubon Elementary School in Dubuque. Information about the event and transportation times are available at dbqschools.org/back-to-school-bash. Sign-ups will be shared with area counselors. # # # Apples for Students-Fill the Bag is a Community Initiative of St. Mark Youth Enrichment. Last year, St. Mark worked with local donors to provide supplies to more than 3,600 students on their first day of school. # # # St. Mark Youth Enrichment (formerly St. Mark Community Center) is a non-profit organization that has been serving the Dubuque Community for over 30 years. St. Mark provides healthy and enriching afterschool and summer programming focusing on academics and social-emotional well-being in the Dubuque, Dyersville, and Peosta areas. The organization works with kids from kindergarten to fifth grade and surrounds them in environments of love, safety, and belonging. To learn more, visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org.
- July 10, 2023
DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa – St. Mark Youth Enrichment is joining the National Summer Learning Association and other summer learning programs throughout the country in celebrating and recognizing the importance of summer learning for National Summer Learning Week (July 10-14).St. Mark is inviting community partners, local leaders, members of the press, and funders to see the impact summer learning has on area kids first-hand. National Summer Learning Week is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school ready to succeed in the year.The agency kicked off its summer program in June with the launch of St. Mark Heroes Camp and has already been working hard to bring summer learning opportunities immersed in an environment of safety, love, and belonging to elementary-aged students in Western Dubuque and Dubuque.Summer Learning Week also offers St. Mark the opportunity to highlight the many partners the organization depends on. Partners like the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Dubuque Masonic Temple, and Dyersville Elementary provide space for the program, and a network of more than 50 community partners provides enrichment, transportation, and other experiences for kids every summer.”We don’t do this alone,” says Beth McGorry, Director of Donor Relations. “It truly takes a village to make summer possible, and we owe many thanks to the amazing groups and people who come through for our kids in a big way!” ABOUT ST. MARK HEROES CAMPHeroes Camp is focused on literacy and has components of weekly themes, physical activity, snacks, and enrichment activities. Guest speakers and readers, as well as field trips, add to this program, engaging and helping students to learn while having fun. Certified teachers and staff work with the students, and St. Mark, along with the schools, will be doing assessments and evaluations to measure the program’s success. Additionally, each week will incorporate community service, social and emotional well-being, and health and wellness into the literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Music) curriculum. Students will receive a weekly book and a t-shirt to keep by the end of the program.The theme of this year’s program is “Every Adventure Begins with You,” and combines adventure & academics to create memorable experiences for area youth. Students receive a weekly book and a t-shirt to keep by the end of the program. PROGRAM IMPACTLast summer, about 100 children participated in the St. Mark summer program. 91% increased their literacy skills* and 88% demonstrated strengths in social-emotional skills**. *measured by QuickPhonics Screener**measured by Deveraux Student Strengths Assessment Public registration for the program is closed, but to learn more about the summer program, contact Amelia Foley at 563.582.6211 or afoley@stmarkyouthenrichment.org, or visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org. For more info on being a summer sponsor, contact Beth McGorry at 563.582.6211 x110 or bmcgorry@stmarkyouthenrichment.org. # St. Mark Youth Enrichment (formerly St. Mark Community Center) is a non-profit organization that has served the Dubuque Community for more than 30 years. St. Mark provides after school programming in Title 1 elementary schools in the Dubuque Community School District as well as programs in Dyersville and Peosta, and summer programs in the Dubuque and Western Dubuque Area. To learn more, visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org.
BE A VIRTUAL GUEST READER
Do you have a story, talent, or activity to share? Send us a message to jaguilar@stmarkyouthenrichment.
Hi friends, it's Beth here from St Mark, and It's really eerie. It's really quiet. It makes me think of what, what could come in the summer, right?
We know that today our kids are being well taken care of. Taken care of by moms and dads who are working and being teachers. The school district and so many beautiful partners are feeding our kids beautifully. I've seen some of those meals (absolutely gorgeous) and we at St. Mark are really working hard to make sure that they're taken care of.
Here at St. Mark we are working on social-emotional packs to send out to our families and give them the opportunity to work on some of those things that are really the big questions for kids. You know, they have big feelings and this is nerve-wracking for them. They don't know. They've lost their school families. They've lost their best friends.
And some of them don't have the technology to be able to FaceTime their best friend, to shoot hoops with their best friend. And when we get to see them—when they come back to us, we're going to have to do a lot of work. And we're going to have to do some retraining. We're going to have to do some re-socialization. We’re going to need to be there to work through big questions like, “how do you be a good friend today, and how do you take care of yourself and work through your emotions?”
There's also going to be a huge educational lag. We know that. We know that kids were already struggling with summer slack. Let’s think about these kids. There's a potential that from March until August—no school. And here at St. Mark with our summer program, we're going to be able to tackle some of those issues and get kids as ready as we can for that first day of school and giving them opportunities.
I know that you as a member of this St. Mark family have been such beautiful supporters of us, and these kids need to know that that's going to continue.
We're going to have such a big need in the coming days. With the uncertainty of what could happen today or tomorrow, there are going to be more families than we thought who will need summer scholarships this year. We were planning for 100, and we know that this number will be drastically higher. Parents have been laid off, hours drastically cut. They need to know they’ll be taken care of.
Our staff is preparing to work with kids in trauma, because we know that this isolation is traumatic for kids. We're hoping that you support us and trust us to take care of these amazing, amazing youngsters and give them the opportunity to be in this safe space. They need your help to do that more than ever. You are their community. You’re their safety. You're their safe spot.
Our donors who have really been there for us are you. People like you have been making this happen for 30 years. And we want to make sure that we get the chance to take care of these kids this summer. Know very well that we are being beautiful stewards of your donations—taking care of our kids. We are prepared as an administrative team to come in and take care of these kids if and when we go back to school as well as taking care of them during the summer as much as we can.
This is, this is what we gear up for. This is what's in our hearts. I know that you are behind us in this, and I just need you to know that we're going to need you, they’re going to need you.
I know it's so much to ask right now, but please support these kids by clicking below or giving me a call at 563-590-2806 today and giving your best gift.
https://stmarkyouthenrichment.org/give-now/
Please help us be prepared for what’s to come and to be here this summer, to take care of these kids and prepare them for the first day of school. Have a beautiful day.
With love and big air hugs,
Beth
P.S. If you or someone you care for is struggling right now or just needs someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to reach out for support, friendship, or a listening ear. We're all apart together. You can reach me at 563-590-2806 or bmcgorry@stmarkyouthenrichment.
The mission of St. Mark Youth Enrichment is to provide innovative programs and services that cultivate the educational and social-emotional growth of youth and families.
Our vision is to enrich the life of every child.