​ Thank you for an amazing summer camp and trusting us
​with your children, we are gearing up for our Youth Passport to the Future afterschool program, at our  CEBC location, and we would love for you to be a part of it for the 2024-2025 school year!

Check out our after school program pages below!

Visit our "Youth Passport to the Future After School" page! 

​Visit our "Youth Leadership Academy/Council" page!

​​
OUR MISSION

​To plan and establish a culturally competent/responsive and holistic approach through social, cultural, artistic, youth, economic, housing, and educational programs to develop positive and innovative changes within the family system of low income individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, disadvantaged or skill deficient.

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH | CELEBRATING OUR LEGACY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE #WEAREBLACKHISTORY

Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes, born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri was an American writer who gained prominence during the Harlem Renaissance and made the African American experience the subject of his writings, which ranged from poetry and plays, to novels and newspaper columns.  To kick-off Black History Month, we celebrate the legacy of Langston Hughes.

Founders of Better Family Life Malik & DeBorah Ahmed
For 38 years, Better Family Life Inc. has proudly classified itself as one of the most influential non-profit organizations in metropolitan St. Louis, committed to enriching the lives of African Americans through a range of efforts including community outreach, housing and asset development, workforce development, cultural arts and youth, family, and clinical services.  (Pictured left to right: Interim CEO Darryl Grimes, Founders DeBorah & Malik Ahmed)

In 1982, DeBorah Ahmed and her husband, Malik Ahmed, took matters into their own hands, opening the basement of their University City home for weekly discussions about how they could meet the needs of others in their community by giving back. Read the full St. Louis American article here.

Ndeye Bitaye
Ndeye Bitaye (9-years old) currently lives in St. Louis and is a participant in our 21st Century after-school program in the Normandy School District. Ndeye recently participated in and won the Viewer's Choice Award for the "Our Words, Our Cities" National Poetry Slam and was featured in the film which will be available on Amazon Prime in February 2021. Enjoy the poem above that she recently shared titled "My Black History".

Watch her National Debut poem titled "Floating"

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ONLINE PROGRAMS | #BFLYTV 

PERFORMING ARTS

AMERICA SCORES

HEALTH & WELLNESS

FINE ARTS

click here for more videos

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OUR PROGRAMS

Youth Programs

Programs are available for youth ages ​5-17, both in-school and out-of-school.

Clinical Services

See what services are available for
​you or someone you may know.

Events

Stay up to date with us. Check out 
​our past, present & future events!

OUR PROGRESS

We could not have done it without our amazing supporters. Thanks to everyone who has supported us through the years!

380+
YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN OUR
​AFTER-SCHOOL & PREVENTION
​PROGRAMS ON A DAILY BASIS
​

9,382
CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES SERVED
​THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

400+
YOUTH ENGAGE IN STEAM-BASED ACTIVITIES THROUGH OUR
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

43,451
HOT MEALS ARE PROVIDED FOR YOUTH DURING OUR AFTER-SCHOOL
AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

YOUTH PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM!

For over 20 years, our Youth Passport to the Future after school program has been a space and time for students to be exposed to learning and extracurriculars outside of school. 

Your students will participate in dance, drama, sports, art, field trips and our activity vendors we bring in, while also being served a hot meal daily. Transportation is also available for students enrolled, from school to our CEBC location. 

Join us Monday, September 9th, 2024 through Friday, May 16th, 2025, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at out CEBC location!

For more information check out our flyer or contact us at (314) 367-3440, ext. 710.

CALLING ALL YOUTH IN ST. LOUIS!

We are looking for youth, ages 12-18, to join our Youth Leadership Council! The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) believes you have what it takes to be a future leader in this city and the world.

Join us and connect with other future leaders answering the call to make a change in their community, one day at a time!

To learn more, visit our YLA page

THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US!
#BFLYSQUAD

We would be nothing without our youth and their families who entrust us to bring a full line of services to them year round, with our summer and after school programs, clinical services, and food programs.

Leadership
 
VICE PRESIDENT OF YOUTH, FAMILY AND CLINCAL SERVICES  
Marquette King-Connor 

SENIOR DIRECTOR 
Terrance Cauley 

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING 
Roy Harris 

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES  
Danielle Bush

LICESENED AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR  
Shameka King

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