The Professional Organization of Women is proud to announce our 2008 Community Partner, Marian Middle School! POW members will support, through volunteer events and classes, a community service program with Marian Middle School.
Stay tuned to learn details on how you can join us!!!
Marian Middle School
4130 Wyoming, St. Louis, MO 63116
Marian Middle School, a school for girls in grades 5th-8th, was founded to help average or above average students who are having difficulty succeeding in the regular classroom or who need a challenge. With small classes and individual attention, Marian offers a supportive learning environment that reinforces the girls' self-esteem. Opened in the fall of 2001 in the heart of south St.Louis, Marian serves 60 students. The average sliding rate tuition is $35 per month or $420 per year.
The mission of Marian Middle School is to offer a quality private school experience to adolescent girls from low income families who, otherwise, would not have access to these opportunities. They offer a challenging academic program in a disciplined environment, along with a full array of enrichment activities and a supervised homework hour every day. Through education, they can help break the cycle of poverty.
Marian Middle School could use volunteers in a number of areas. They have a women's leadership breakfast where they invite African American women to talk about their lives and experiences with the girls. There is a daily homework hour form 4:30pm - 5:30pm; and they could, also, use tutors. Finally, they have an after-school program from 3:00pm - 4:30pm, which welcomes programs aimed at middle school girls.
The majority of the students live in the inner city of St. Louis, MO. 95% of the students are African American and 85% are on free/reduced lunch. It costs the school $12,000 per child per year operating costs. The money is raised through grants and foundations. Marian has a corporate campaign, annual appeal, and special events to increase money for their operating costs.
It is vital to catch young girls in middle school, because that is when many decisions are made that influence their lives. However, they have to stay in school and work hard. The small number of students makes it an ideal program because it would allow one on one activity as well as larger group activities.
Professional Organization of Women (POW) could have a positive impact on the lives of these students by serving as role models. P.O.W. can help the students better prepare themselves with utilizing the enrichment of professionals, social and community aspirations of African American women in entry and mid-level management positions.
The Professional Organization of Women, Inc. (POW) members will be volunteering their time teaching the teenagers “Transitioning from Marian to High School” to “College”. Our goal is to develop a program tailored to the youth’s needs that will focus on topics ranging from education to role modeling, and emotional support and life enrichment/hobbies. POW members will also be able to visits Marian students in the school as arranged with the Program Director. Organizing and participating with prior approval of the Program Director, in periodic social gatherings and outing or Community Services Projects. Great things happen when POW gives back to the community and partners with emPOWering organizations like Marian Middle School.
****Please Note Important Membership Requirement****
POW members are to complete hours of community service annually.
These hours can be earned by attending or facilitating a class or
by participating in occasional Saturday activities.
****2008 Community Service Schedule****
Marian Middle School– located 4130 Wyoming, St. Louis, MO 63116
