Program Adjustments during COVID-19

Joan Slay

September 19, 1931 – January 24, 2020

Joan was the matriarch of her family and of the Club. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Joan was never more proud of our work than when we expanded to serve girls a few years ago, and she was equally supportive of our expansion to a second site. Joan and Gene loved their city and shared mutual compassion, responsibility and generous hearts for the less fortunate in our region. Known as “Sweet Joan” to all that knew her, Joan embodied kindness, warmth and grace. 

Joan was born in St. Louis on September 19, 1931. She attended Roosevelt High School, where she excelled academically, graduating at 16. Joan was a talented artist and a member of Gamma Delta Phi sorority in high school. After graduation, Joan, along with her sister Jean and friends, rode the Admiral Riverboat, where Joan was approached to dance by a very handsome Gene Slay.  Four years later, in June of 1952, they married and raised seven children and became the proud grandparents of twelve. 

Joan was involved at St. Raphael the Archangel’s parish, St. Joseph’s Academy and CBC High School during her children’s school years before moving to their home in west St. Louis County. While she enjoyed watching and attending Cardinal baseball games, the Opening Day appearance by the Clydesdales was really her favorite part!  

Always smiling, Joan’s beauty radiated from the inside out. We will cherish her memory in our hearts and miss and love her forever.

Club 54

Dutchtown Expansion

The Need

Portions of South St. Louis, especially Dutchtown and Gravois Park, are challenged by an abundance of youth and a lack of comprehensive youth development programs to empower them with the skills and attitudes needed to graduate from high school and achieve long-term success. Youth in these neighborhoods are especially vulnerable to violence and academic failure.

Parents, social service agencies, elected officials, and kids have voiced the need for comprehensive youth services in this part of the City.

 

The Project

Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club is the right agency to address this need. GSGBC has a 90-year, proven record of successfully helping kids achieve their full potential. We have committed to expand to a second site to meet the needs of the unserved youth of Dutchtown. To achieve this, we will renovate a hundred-year-old school building located at 3216 Pulaski Ave. This will provide a safe and welcoming space for 280 children and youth annually through After-School and Summer Programs.

We believe that our programs are capable of playing a crucial role in the stabilization of Dutchtown through comprehensive youth development to help kids escape the cycle of poverty.