

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 and Seton Catholic Elementary Schools

Recent Updates
- January 27, 2023
EAST DUBUQUE, Illinois – With just a few weeks to go, and a weekend approaching the single digits, St. Mark Youth Enrichment wants the Greater Dubuque Community to know that there’s still time to sign up teams for the “coolest fundraising event of the year.” On February 11, St. Mark will welcome teams in wacky costumes, with fun sleds to the frozen Mid-Town Marina in East Dubuque. The event is set to tee up on February 11, 2023. Team check in will begin at 8 a.m. and the event will start at 10 a.m. Teams can sign up foursomes for a fun and competitive 18 holes of Ice Golf at www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org/icegolf or by calling 563.582.6211 ext. 110. Inexperienced ice golfers need not worry: there will be awards for best sled and best-dressed team and an overall themed costume and sled combo. Each team will consist of four golfers. The teams will golf a course constructed from snow, ice, and donated Christmas trees created by the St. Mark ICEMen. In addition to the event, St. Mark will be holding a 50/50 raffle drawing and a public online silent auction. Prizes include some epic Lego sets, local staycations, backyard fun, winter & summer experiences and much more. Bidders need not be present to win. All proceeds benefit the kids in St. Mark Youth Enrichment programs. (Over) “I think this is the kind of just genuine fun we’re all looking for right now,” says McGorry. “And what a better way to have fun than by supporting the kids at St. Mark when the kids need it the most.” She shares this year’s event will still go on with the same “zaniness, wackiness, and silliness” as previous years with a few changes to ensure participant, staff, and volunteer safety: ● St. Mark will only be accepting teams of four and only teams will be allowed on the ice. ● Waivers will be digital and contactless. ● A limited number of teams will be allowed on the ice. ● St. Mark will be following all state and local guidelines. The event is hosted by Mid-Town Marina and local sponsors. The event is sponsored by McCoy Group, Dupaco Community Credit Union, Dubuque Screw Products, Friedman/Assured Partners, MountainTop Stoneworks, Sedona Staffing Services, and US Bank. A complete list of current sponsors is available at stmarkyouthenrichment.org/icegolf. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Interested teams can visit St. Mark Youth Enrichment’s website: www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org/icegolf to sign up. For event questions or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, sponsorship, or donating prizes please contact Beth McGorry at (563) 582-6211 Ext. 110 or bmcgorry@stmarkyouthenrichment.org. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit kids at St. Mark Youth Enrichment. 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 & summer programming in the Dubuque & Western Dubuque area. To learn more, visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org.
- November 18, 2022
St. Mark Youth Enrichment Back with Coolest Fundraising Event of 2023
Registration Opens Black Friday for the 2023 Ice Golf Classic 2022 Best Dressed Award Winners – Mario Cart EAST DUBUQUE, Illinois – Presales open Black Friday for the 2023 St. Mark Ice Golf Classic. Exclusive pricing will be available to the first four teams to register. On February 12, St. Mark will welcome teams in wacky costumes, with fun sleds to the frozen Mid-Town Marina in East Dubuque for the organization’s “coolest” fundraising event of 2023. The event is set to tee up on February 11, 2023. Team check in will begin at 8 a.m. and the event will start at 10 a.m. Teams can sign up foursomes for a fun and competitive 18 holes of Ice Golf at www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org/icegolf on or after November 25 or by calling 563.582.6211 ext. 110. Inexperienced ice golfers need not worry: there will be awards for best sled and best-dressed team and an overall themed costume and sled combo. Each team will consist of four golfers. The teams will golf a course constructed from snow, ice, and donated Christmas trees created by the St. Mark ICEMen. In addition to the event, St. Mark will be holding a 50/50 raffle drawing and a public online silent auction. Prizes include local staycations, backyard fun, winter & summer experiences and much more. Bidders need not be present to win. All proceeds benefit the kids in St. Mark Youth Enrichment programs. “I think this is the kind of just genuine fun we’re all looking for right now,” says McGorry. “And what a better way to have fun than by supporting the kids at St. Mark when the kids need it the most.” She shares this year’s event will still go on with the same “zaniness, wackiness, and silliness” as previous years with a few changes to ensure participant, staff, and volunteer safety: ● St. Mark will only be accepting teams of four and only teams will be allowed on the ice. ● Waivers will be digital and contactless. ● A limited number of teams will be allowed on the ice. ● St. Mark will be following all state and local guidelines. The event is hosted by Mid-Town Marina and local sponsors. A complete list of current sponsors is available at stmarkyouthenrichment.org/icegolf. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Interested teams can visit St. Mark Youth Enrichment’s website: www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org/icegolf to sign up on or after November 24. For event questions or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, sponsorship, or donating prizes please contact Beth McGorry at (563) 582-6211 Ext. 110 or bmcgorry@stmarkyouthenrichment.org. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit kids at St. Mark Youth Enrichment. # # # St. Mark Youth Enrichment (formerly St. Mark Community Center) is a non-profit organization that has served the Dubuque Community for 30 years. St. Mark provides before and after school programming in Title 1 elementary schools in the Dubuque Community School District as well as programs in Dyersville and Peosta. 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.