CAPE GIRARDEAU CIVIC CENTER

The Cape Girardeau Civic Center provides recreational, educational and vocational activities for disadvantaged youths in the community.

The youths served are predominantly low-income and minorities, but over the past year organizers have noticed an increase in non-minority users.

The center provides a place for young people to gather for socialization and for education. Organized programs include tutoring, peer facilitation, rap groups, counseling and teen pregnancy counseling.

Junior Optimist and Junior Achievement clubs operate out of the center as do Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs.

The agency plans to provide a culture fair, a class in job hunting skills, and a GED program. A new program designed to encourage young people to stay in school is also in the works.

Director of the agency is Calvin Bird. For more information call 335-7141.