St. Mark Youth Enrichment asking for community support to help fill a nearly 1,000 student fundraising shortfall.

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.

St. Mark Youth Enrichment Joins Organizations Across the Country Celebrating National Summer Learning Week July 10-14, 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.

St. Mark Youth Enrichment welcomes new office coordinator Ashley Hinzmann

DUBUQUE—On Monday, June 26, Ashley Hinzmann joined the St. Mark Youth Enrichment administrative team as office coordinator with plans to transition into the organization’s future Early Childhood team. Ashley Hinzmann, Office Coordinator Ashley has a BA in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa and received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Morningside University with a Special Education endorsement of K-8 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate. Ashley considers herself a lifelong learner and continually looks for ways to learn and grow, both personally and professionally. Most recently, Ashley was a kindergarten teacher at Prescott Elementary, where she taught for 5 years and was a paraprofessional for 2 years. She shared, “Through my time there, I developed a deep passion to serve students and families who may need the extra love and support—Rita Pearson coined, ‘every child deserves a champion,’ and I truly believe that!” Ashley has also worked at various childcare centers throughout the area. To learn more about St. Mark Youth Enrichment, visit us at www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org. # # # 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.