Youth Learning Center Helping Every Child Reach Their Dreams

NJC Printing wanted to take some time to learn a little more about our customers and to share with you the opportunities they provide for your community. This month our spotlight is on the Youth Learning Center.

Their Belief.. The Youth Learning Center (YLC) is founded on the belief that every child can be successful given the right opportunities and supportive environments.

Their Mission… Provide unique academic and enrichment experiences for youth from under served communities to inspire lifelong learning, social responsibility, and moral leadership. Their goal and YLC’s continued goal is to have each child achieve his or her God-given potential, and to facilitate that, the center provides a rigorous after-school program and an engaging summer camp program.

Their Programs… YLC programs revolve around our five core subject areas of mathematics, language arts, science, computer science, and entrepreneurship/civic leadership. Our high quality standards as well as our requirement that all YLC programs have real-world applications are two important elements that permeate our program design.

Their Volunteers… YLC values its volunteers, during the first six months of 2010, volunteers have contributed over 2100 hours to our students.

Donating… YLC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization relying on donations to sustain and grow. We are constantly upgrading our curriculum, our facilities and our learning equipment to keep pace with the latest advancements. We want to provide the best and brightest learning environment and equipment for our students to keep them interested and motivated.

Their Motivation… YLC founders and administrators will never stop until every child has the opportunity to achieve their dreams because they have the skills needed and encourage them to give back to their communities to compete the cycle and pay it forward. That is really the beauty of YLC and the people who make it a reality every day.

If you would like to learn more about this great organization, to see what they are doing for the children of  your community please go to http://www.ytec-stl.com/

Camp Thunderbird Giving Boys and Girls a Positive Camping Experience!

NJC Printing wanted to take some time to learn a little more about our customers and to share with you the opportunities they provide for your community. This month our spotlight is on Camp Thunderbird.

What is Camp Thunderbird?

Close your eyes. Imagine a place where adventures happen every day and friendships last a lifetime. Imagine a place where your boys and girls can sit around a campfire, watch the sun set over the lake, and listen to the call of a loon. Close your eyes and imagine a place where they can challenge themselves, learn about themselves and be themselves. Now open your eyes. Welcome to Camp Thunderbird…

What does Camp Thunderbird provide for boys and girls?

They promise adventure – everything from gymnastics to backpacking trips. But they also provide strong guidance. Because Camp Thunderbird believe so strongly in guidance and giving your son and/or daughter individualized attention, they have one counselor for every three campers. They ask the campers to dream, teach them the skills they need to reach those goals and take it one step at a time.

What is the focus of Camp Thunderbird?

They focus on helping kids build skills in a non-competitive environment. Every child that comes to Thunderbird gets the attention and encouragement they need to set goals and reach them. They come to camp feeling nervous and excited. They leave camp feeling confident.

What is there to do at Camp Thunderbird?

They have more than 30 activities for boys and girls to choose from on a daily basis. Check them out! http://www.camptbird.com/About/OurProgram.asp   They also have one day a week called Adventure Day when boys and girls leave camp for the day and cook-out meals, swim and visit a cool park in the area. It’s kind of like an all-day field trip. 

So if all your kids can think about RIGHT NOW is how to have the best SUMMER of their life and if you are looking for a place where they can experience adventure in the outdoors while still in a safe, fun and nurturing environment.” Then you need to check out Camp Thunderbird,  for more information you can go to their website. http://www.camptbird.com

 

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.

KidSmart Giving Kids the Tools Needed to Succeed in School

NJC Printing wanted to take some time to learn a little more about our customers and share with you more about the services and opportunities these awesome businesses and non-profit organizations provide.

This month, we asked Christy McCutcheon, Director of Operations, KidSmart Tools for Learning  to answer a few questions about this organization that helps empower children in need to succeed in school by providing the essential tools for learning.

What is the mission of KidSmart?

Our mission is to ensure that children and their classrooms in the Greater Metropolitan Saint Louis Area have the basic tools for learning by transferring, at no cost, the community’s surplus supplies and merchandise into the hands of teachers for school children in need.

How do you accomplish this mission?

Donations from individuals and businesses help keep the shelves of KidSmart’s Free Store stocked with everything from crayons, markers and glue to business surplus items such as binders, envelopes and promotional items.

KidSmart distributes the supplies through teachers who shop at KidSmart’s Free Store once a month. After shopping, teachers distribute the materials directly into the hands of our kids in need.

How can communities help KidSmart?

KidSmart relies on the generosity of the community to provide local kids in need with the tools they need to succeed in school. Your donation will have a positive impact on the education of thousands of local students in need. To make a donation click on http://www.kidsmartstl.org/donate/.

Volunteers – The KidSmart Free Store is run entirely with volunteer help from dedicated community members just like you. There are a number of opportunities for individuals or groups to get involved, whether it is an ongoing commitment or a one-time project. For more information click on http://www.kidsmartstl.org/volunteers/.

We want to thank Christy for taking the time to provide us with information on this wonderful organization and please visit their website http://www.kidsmartstl.org/ and see how you and your community can help make a difference.

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.

Customer Spotlight: AHA Making Your Community Healthier

NJC Printing wanted to take some time to learn a little more about our customers and share with you more about the services and opportunities these awesome businesses and non-profit organizations provide.

This month, we asked Maureen Powers, Executive Assistant – Human Resources,  American Heart Association St. Louis to answer a few questions about this volunteer driven organization.

What is the Mission of AHA?

Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

What is the Impact Goal of AHA?

“By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 % while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 %.”

What is the History of AHA?

“Recognizing the need for a national organization to share research findings and promote further study, six cardiologists representing several groups founded the American Heart Association in 1924. One of the founding members was Hugh D. McCulloch of St. Louis.  Since that day, the American Heart Association has grown to be the nation’s largest voluntary health organization with over 22.5 million volunteers and supporters nationwide.

Our Work

Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are America’s No. 1 killer. They claim more lives than the next four causes of death combined.  The American Heart Association has an extraordinary impact on your life by empowering you and your loved ones to save lives and enjoy more peace of mind about cardiovascular health.

Countless Americans owe their lives to the research we fund and to our medical 
guidelines, advocacy and educational programs. Now as volunteers and donors, they’re 
giving back, helping their neighbors – and future generations – live longer, healthier lives.

Improving Your Family’s Health
We make it easier for all families to live, eat and stay healthy by educating, 
encouraging behavior change and generating much-needed financial support.
• Go Red For Women® movement to fight heart disease, women’s #1 health threat
• Power To End Stroke® initiative to reduce African Americans’ high risk of stroke
• Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart programs for schools
• My Life Check and dozens of other online tools at americanheart.org

Making Your Community Healthier
We create healthier environments in schools, workplaces and other public places 
by improving policies and systems, and by raising funds.
• Start! walking programs, Start! Fit-Friendly company recognition, walking paths, 
Start! Heart Walks and workplace giving programs
• Training in CPR, advanced life support, AED (defibrillator) use and first aid
• Advocacy for smoke-free public restaurants and other places
• Nutrition initiatives (menu labeling, school meals, sodium and trans-fat reduction)
• Physical activity initiatives (PE in schools, walkable and bikeable communities)

Ensuring Quality Health Care for All
We help improve the healthcare system to ensure the best care for all patients. We 
coordinate, support and advocate for programs that improve patient access and care 
at hospitals, doctor’s offices and community health centers.
• Get With The Guidelines® program to help hospitals and physician practices treat 
heart disease and stroke patients according to proven guidelines
• Mission: Lifeline initiative to improve emergency care for heart attack victims
Helping End Heart Disease and Stroke in Our Lifetime
We save countless lives by supporting heart and stroke research.
• Heart Balls, planned gifts, memorial gifts and all other fund-raising efforts allow us to 
invest over $120 million a year in research nationwide (about 23% of total expenses).
• We also advocate for increased government funding for cardiovascular research.
• We translate research advances into practice by developing medical guidelines for 
healthcare providers, emergency personnel and the public, who learn about them 
through medical journals, conferences, online courses, media stories and researcher speaking engagements.

The $3.2 billion we’ve invested since 1949 has led to breakthroughs such as CPR; pacemakers; bypass surgery; heart defect repair; and blood pressure, cholesterol and clot-busting drugs. Seven researchers have won Nobel Prizes for work we’ve helped fund.
You Can Save Lives…
by making healthy lifestyle choices, learning CPR, donating to support research and education, and volunteering through advocacy and at events that raise funds and promote wellness. You can help build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke!

How Can the Community Help?

Get Involved – Become an American Heart Association volunteer

. As a volunteer-driven organization, the American Heart Association would not be able to accomplish its goals, fulfill its mission and make a difference in the health of our community without people like you.  There are many volunteer opportunities. Your expertise, your ideas, and your enthusiasm are needed to implement the many programs and events the American Heart Association has available.  We invite you to join us in fighting America’s number one and number three killers – heart disease and stroke.

Advocate/Join  www.yourethecure.org
Give www.donate.americanheart.org
Shop www.shopheart.org

Where to find us

www.heart.org/stlouis
www.facebook.com/americanheartstl
http://www.youtube.com/user/AmericanHeartSTL

We want to thank Maureen for taking the time to provide us with information on this wonderful organization and please visit their website and see how you and your community can help make a difference.

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.

Customer Spotlight: APDA Enhances the Quality of Life for Parkinson’s Disease Patients.

NJC Printing wanted to take some time to learn a little more about our customers and share with you more about the services and opportunities these awesome businesses and organizations provide.

This month, we asked Deborah Dalin Guyer, Coordinator for St. Louis American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center to answer a few questions about this fantastic organization.

What is Parkinson Disease? Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disease in a group of conditions called movement disorders-disorders that result from a loss of the brain’s control on voluntary movements.

How many are affected by this disease? Over one and one-half million people in the United States suffer from PD.  60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

What does APDA do? The primary function of our Center is to serve as a central location where people with PD, caregivers, medical professionals, students and other interested individuals can call or write to receive the latest information, including FREE printed material, medical and support system referrals, quarterly newsletters, and patient service listings. The Center informs patients about Parkinson’s disease studies and research projects in which they might wish to participate.

What plays a vital role in your organization? Public awareness and educational programs play a vital role in the Center’s activities. The Center coordinates all PD services in the Greater St. Louis area, across the state of Missouri and in southern Illinois. It also serves as headquarters for the local APDA Chapter.

What resources do you have available? We have a Satellite Resource Center use the computer to connect to a favorite Parkinson website, print articles from the internet, browse through one of the many books and booklets or watch a DVD or VHS on Parkinson’s, or just visit with an interested and dedicated volunteer.

We want to thank Deborah for taking the time to provide us with information on this wonderful organization and please visit their website http://www.stlapda.org and see how you and your community can help.

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.