St. Louis, MO (January 5, 2024) – Unleashing Potential (UP) announced it received $15,000 in support from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S. This grant will build a better future for 700 at-risk school-aged students from 6-14 years old through high-quality STEAM (science, technology, engineering, cultural arts, and math) out-of-school time (OST) afterschool and summer programs. Students served by UP primarily live in economically disadvantaged communities throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Equitable access to quality STEAM programming is critical to building communities where ALL children and families thrive. When children are able to access high-quality education, negative behavioral incidences in schools decrease and graduation rates increase. Ultimately, gaps in achievement are closed, and the cycle of poverty is broken.
With 100% of the children in UP programs eligible for free/reduced lunches, the average cost of needed OST programs that spark interest in STEAM and improve academic proficiency is out-of-reach. Families report challenges in meeting basic needs and lack access to employment with living wages, nutritious food, safe housing, and quality education for their children.
“We believe that potential should not be limited by a zip code or income.” Said Darlene Sowell, President and CEO of Unleashing Potential. “A reported 23% of families in our out-of-school programs earn less than $10,000. This high need, lack of access and financial resources for parents unable to pay exorbitant tuition fees, creates a gap in educational experiences between low- and high-income students. These odds do not give low-income children the best outcomes for academic success.”
Darlene added, “With support from Bayer Fund, UP’s OST STEAM programs will continue to empower at-risk children from diverse races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds with high quality educational programs. Together we are taking steps towards STEAM readiness.”
“Through Bayer Fund’s giving, we’re enabling and strengthening organizations that are working to make real, sustainable impacts in their local communities across the United States,” said Al Mitchell, President of Bayer Fund. “Programs like Unleashing Potential inspire future generations for careers in the high-demand STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field, and we’re proud to provide our support.”
Since the implementation of UP’s STEM program, parents’ report their children have developed better work habits, interest in learning has increased, and their children’s confidence in STEM and reading has grown.
About Unleashing Potential
Unleashing Potential is one of St. Louis’ oldest nonprofits enriching the lives of children (founded originally as Neighborhood Houses in 1913). The mission of Unleashing Potential is to close the opportunity gap for children and youth by building on their strengths. A United Way agency since 1955, Unleashing Potential creates educational and empowering experiences through early childhood education, after school programs, youth development and enrichment camps. For more information about Unleashing Potential visit, https://upstl.org.
About Bayer Fund
Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education, and health and wellness projects. For more Information visit https://www.fund.bayer.us.
Unleashing Potential Media Contact:
Name: Verletta Cole
Email: vcole@upstl.org
Phone: 314-561-3337
Bayer Fund Media Contact:
Name: Nicole Hayes
Email: Nicole.Hayes@Bayer.com
Phone: (201) 421-5268
