Charleston Outreach Center

Charleston Office

1200 East Marshall
Charleston, MO 63834
(573) 688-2420

Serving:

Limited resource youth and families in the six county Bootheel area, including Cape and Butler Counties.

Programs Offered:

• Youth Development
  • Close The Gap
    • After-school program that is dedicated to narrowing educational and social disparities by providing a supportive and enriching after-school environment. Our mission is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to bridge gaps and reach their full potential.
  • Bridging The Gap
    • Summer Institute Program is to provide a transformative and inclusive summer experience that bridges educational and skill gaps among students. Our aim is to empower participants with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to excel academically and personally, ensuring they are well-prepared for future challenges.
  • Explorers of Tomorrow
    • Educational Field Trips is to inspire and empower the youth through immersive educational field trips, fostering personal growth, civic engagement, and a lifelong love for learning. We aim to provide meaningful experiences that expand horizons, instill curiosity, and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow.
• Food Insecurity
  • Community Gardening
    • Used to cultivate a sense of community, promote sustainable living, and provide hands-on agricultural education through the establishment of community gardens. In collaboration with Cooperative Extension, we aim to empower individuals and neighborhoods to grow their own food, beautify shared spaces, and foster a deeper connection to the environment.
  • SPROUTS!
    • An online Home Gardening Program is to cultivate a love for gardening, sustainable living, and environmental stewardship by providing accessible and interactive online resources. We aim to empower participants of all ages to connect with nature, grow their own food, and foster a deeper understanding of the natural world.
• Senior Citizen Engagement
  • SHARP
    • SHARP (Sincerely Happy Association of Retired People) is to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens through a thoughtfully curated monthly engagement program. We aim to create a supportive and vibrant community that promotes social connections, lifelong learning, and overall well-being among our senior members.

Mission:

The mission of the Charleston Outreach Center is to provide education, information, and resources to empower individuals, families, and communities. This education is often grounded in research conducted by Lincoln University (a land-grant university). The primary focus is addressing the needs and challenges of the local community, whether they are related to agriculture, nutrition, health, youth development, community development, or environmental issues.

Vision:

The vision of the Charleston Outreach Center revolves around creating a better future for individuals and communities through education and outreach. This may involve fostering sustainable practices in agriculture, promoting healthy living, supporting economic development, enhancing environmental stewardship, and contributing to the overall well-being of communities. The vision often emphasizes a collaborative approach, where extension professionals work closely with community members to identify needs and develop solutions together.