Introduction
The Russell’s Enrichment Cultural Center’s purpose is to educate, address, and protect at risk youth in the St. Louis Metropolitan areas by providing academic assistance, sports and recreation as well as beginning early with College searching, literacy in language & cultural classes. It is our duty to expunge the negative cultural stigmatizations associated with the violence of our ci
ty and our youth. The REC functions as an outlet as well as a life preparatory for our members. We believe that every human that wants to learn to read and write will be offered an opportunity to be literate. It is also, understood that not all people are interested in sports, so we provide alternative extracurricular activities, such as music/audio/video production, international languages, debate, conservatory arts program, culinary, ect. Education
It is the REC’s duty to provide literacy courses, tutoring and enhancing programs to challenge the unchallenged & at risk youth. We believe that “knowledge is power” and “the more you read the further you succeed” and want to remain solid to the value of education and literacy. Nelson Mandela says that “young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well as future leaders,” and the Russell’s Enrichment Cultural Center values education as well as recreation. In order for them to succeed we want to provide them with tools of distinction such as an International Language department, so that they have more options in finding their niche. Our international language department will consist of continuous Spanish classes offered for members. Swahili, French, Chinese, Italian and Bosnian language courses will also be offered upon desire. Cultural relativity is an important factor in understanding nationalism and cultural pride. Understanding that one race is not more superior or less superior than another makes for a safe haven for all cultures and races of at risk youth. Also, understanding culture early assists with culture shock when our members go to college. Addressing these issues early will minimize the culture shock factor as a personal conflict when attending college, which can increase the college completion rate of first generation students. An early childhood development program, in bilingual child development, allows parents of ESL children to send them to a like environment that respects and appreciates their cultural difference. Multi-Media Technology
Computers and Technology are essential functions of development with the modern generations. With Macintosh & PC software in computer labs, the technological development of underprivileged students will rehabilitate the competency level of these mechanisms outside of their traditional uses. Learning programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, iMovie, Microsoft Access can actively work as job prepping for their future jobs or careers. It is important that at risk youth have options to expanding their mind outside of social networks. Other aspects of Media Technology include audio & video production. We believe that photography, cinematography, filmmaking, audio and visual productions can also act as an outlet. Appreciation of the arts comes in more forms than dancing and music, but if it’s what they are interested in it is critical to make sure they have the necessary equipage to succeed in the industry of their choice. Conservatory Arts
This aspect of The REC is here to compliment the children who are interested in dance, acting, painting and writing. Activities and programs will consist of improv acting as well as scripted performances. Most at risk youth don’t have the early opportunities to write a play, find the producers, cast the actors, and then perform a show. Complete involvement in the processes can in fact teach them the early equipment specs, perks and downfalls. Involvement also teaches them teamwork in the same definition but in a different way. Some children are naturally gifted with dance, but it does not benefit them if they are not trained in the proper technique and/or only limited to, one style. Bringing in certified dance instructors in Salsa, Ballroom, Hip-Hop, Tango, Waltz, Ballet, can increase their chances of choosing a college suited to their choices of studies. Our arts program will be an art studio where we want our visual artists to bring their visions into abstract form. Whether through painting, sculpting, pottery, coloring or taking a stocking and designing it into a cover piece, we want them to be able to express themselves creatively. Sports
Sports have always been an effective outlet for underprivileged kids. Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Kickball, Football, Volleyball and other sports will be offered at the REC. The athletic department will adjust sports teams based on the number of children interested in them. Sports teams build basic foundations of teamwork, accountability and respect. Those are important ideals for us to teach our kids, and sports will forever be the one of many ways that these ideals are achieved. Sports programs are also set in place to help with the obesity. More than one-third of children and adolescents are obese in our country, and sports are physical activities than can assist with these issues in deprived youth.
