Eureka, Mo., [June 4, 2008] – Twenty-two high school students are graduating this year from the competitive-selection, five-year Wyman Teen Leadership Program (TLP) based out of Eureka, Mo. They will celebrate their accomplishment with fellow TLP graduates, family and friends Thursday, June 5 at 6:00 P.M. on the Wyman campus at 600 Kiwanis Dr., Eureka, MO 63122.

These students’ experience began five years ago when they were nominated to be considered for the leadership program. After a thorough selection process, they started the summer after their 7th grade year with an intensive 28-day camp experience. This first summer allowed them to develop fundamental leadership skills and step outside their comfort zone to confront new challenges.

These students have a lot to be proud of. Many have already decided on a college to attend this fall, and two young ladies – Penny H. and Kimberly B. of North County received full scholarships to Indiana University, awarded through a partnership between the university and Wyman.

Teens in the Wyman Teen Leadership Program come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds where they face challenging odds for completion of, and success in, high school and further education. In contrast to the average graduation rate of 47 percent for students in low-income cities, Wyman boasted a 100 percent high school graduation and college or trade school acceptance rate among last year’s graduating class. Post-secondary plans are still in the works for this year’s class, but 100 percent have again graduated on time, and the future looks bright for these young people. These teens are receiving the supports and opportunities they need to become contributing students, family members, employees and citizens.

To read articles published by the Post-Dispatch about individual teens, visit the Tri-County Suburban Journal and Jefferson County Suburban Journal online.

2008 Teen Leadership Program graduates at their graduation celebration on June 5.

St. Louis, Mo., [Aug. 24, 2007] – In its 27th year, Wyman’s Annual Golf Tournament raised a record $240,000 net this Monday. Despite the rain, more than 300 golfers turned out for the event at Whitmoor Country Club in St. Charles. Event sponsors included Kirberg Company and Dave and Cheryl Morley.

“We are exceedingly pleased with the results of the tournament and the support of all our sponsors,” Wyman President Dave Hilliard said. “It’s all about serving the teens in our programs, and the success of this event makes a huge impact.”

Proceeds from the event support Wyman’s mission programs – including the Teen Leadership Program (TLP), the Wyman Teen Outreach Program (TOP) and the college scholarship program (see key sponsors below).

“I believe this tournament continues to grow in success because of our long-time supporters and the new folks continually coming on board who are also passionate about the cause,” Dave said.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities for the 2008 tournament should contact Kristine Ramsey at kristiner@wymancenter.org.

Key Tournament Sponsors
Event Sponsors: Kirberg Company, Dave and Cheryl Morley
Corporate Sponsor: St. Louis Cardinals
Club Sponsor: American Family Insurance
Presenting Sponsors: McBride & Son Homes, Lucas Sales
Hole in One Sponsors: Southwest Bank, Bonnie and John C. Hill, Sense Corp/Keat Wilkins
Lunch/Dinner Sponsors: McCarthy, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., J.K. Pulley
Happy Hour & Pavilion Sponsors: Roofers Mart, Superior Waterproofing & Restoration, First Bank, Boeing, GKN Aerospace, Obermoeller Design, Butler Associates Financial Planners, Inc., JB Accounting & Tax Services, PC, Southern Commercial Bank, Bunge

Kirberg Company Teams

Wyman Golf Committee

View more photos from the tournament.

Friday, July 6 Tim Ezell and his crew visited Wyman to shoot their morning broadcast. The crew broadcast three action shots: Tim takling the “crate climb” with the help of a team of campers, Tim whipping down the zip line, and finally, Tim joining the whole camp to sing camp songs before breakfast. The campers and crew alike had a great time. You can watch the crate climb shot on the Fox 2 St. Louis Web site.

Wyman Teen Leadership Program Boosts Success Rate for Local Students

ST. LOUIS, May 7, 2007 – The seriousness of the nation’s high school dropout rate, which has recently affected St. Louis and cities across the country, has prompted First Lady Laura Bush and national experts to gather with MTV: Music Television for a national summit on May 9, 2007, in Washington, D.C. The “National Summit on America’s Silent Dropout Epidemic” will seek solutions to help students stay in school. Local students are already benefiting from two nationally recognized signature programs designed by a St. Louis non-profit to engage teens after school.

Wyman’s Institute for Youth Development announced today that its Wyman Teen Leadership Program’s second class will achieve a 100 percent graduation rate in May 2007. The nationally recognized, five-year program is offered at no cost to area students ages 13-18. Each member of Wyman’s first graduating class received a diploma and 72 percent now attend college.

“With many parents working longer hours to make a living for their families, students are being left alone after school. These are make-or-break hours for teenagers and too many of them make poor choices that lead to dropping out,” said Wyman President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Hilliard.

The Wyman Teen Leadership Program provides a support network for students in financially disadvantaged circumstances. Parents, school counselors, and Wyman staff routinely check in with the student. The program includes a month in residence at its Eureka-based campus each summer, along with a year-round support system and ongoing opportunities for the teens in their home communities for five consecutive years. Wyman prepares the teens to lead successful lives and to build strong communities.

“The quality of our schools is a hot topic today, and rightfully so,” said Hilliard, “but supporting the student when they’ve left the school building is equally important.”

The Brookings Institution recently endorsed another innovative Wyman teen initiative called Teen Outreach Program (TOP). The Brookings report titled “Cost Effective Investments In Children” included TOP as part of a comprehensive recommendation to balance the federal budget.
Teen Outreach Program (TOP) empowers teens to prepare for successful adulthood and avoid problem behavior in an after-school environment that is delivered locally and replicated nationally. The program combines classroom/group discussion with community service and currently reaches over 12,000 teens in the United States, Virgin Islands, and the United Kingdom. Teens nationwide who participate in Wyman’s TOP program experience a 60 percent lower dropout rate.

Wyman is a nationally recognized youth development organization that is preparing youth from disadvantaged circumstances to lead successful lives and build strong communities. Its innovative programs are powerful and effective, and the staff is highly acclaimed and committed to preparing today’s youth. Wyman’s approach is comprehensive — drawing together many influences on a young person’s life and engaging them in their development. Results are evident by the achievements and bright future of youth in Wyman programs and the communities in which they live. Wyman Center, Inc., is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization sponsored by corporate, foundation, and individual contributors. For more information, please visit www.wymanteens.org or contact us by calling (636) 938-5245 or by e-mailing us at info@wymancenter.org.

Wyman and The Camp Coca-Cola Foundation, who have partnered for the past five years to create an innovative and successful youth development program, announced today they will bring that partnership to a close. Locally, Camp Coca-Cola St. Louis will now be known as the Wyman Teen Leadership Program.

“While we are thrilled with the outstanding results we have seen with this program, we also recognize that this change will give us greater freedom and flexibility to administer and modify the program to meet the needs of local youth,” said David Hilliard, Wyman president.

Wyman, having been on the cutting edge of youth development initiatives for more than a century, will continue this program as its signature youth development initiative. Wyman’s Institute for Youth Development, which developed the program, will also explore ways to extend this and its other signature program, the Wyman Teen Outreach Program, to benefit more deserving youth in local, regional and national markets.

Funding agreements between Wyman and The Foundation, which have been matched with gifts and pledges from St. Louis donors, will ensure a smooth transition of the program over the next few years while leaving in place a significant endowment to help continue it for future generations of St. Louis youth.

Wyman was originally selected by the Foundation in 2001 to help it create the program model and operate Camp Coca-Cola St. Louis as the first in a system of youth development programs. Based on the positive results seen in St. Louis, the program expanded to Atlanta, Boston and Texas.

“A program such as this could not have been created without a partnership that brought together the expertise of Wyman and the financial support of a Foundation backed by a leading corporate partner like Coca-Cola.,” noted Hilliard.

The Foundation now has established a new funding and governance model and is considering a new name. It plans to research new markets, with the goal of expanding programming in other cities where local partners will create regional boards of directors to oversee program funding and management.

“We are thrilled to know that the work they have done will continue to benefit youth in St. Louis and other markets around the country,” added Hilliard. “We wish them well, even as we move forward locally with the Wyman Teen Leadership program.”