St. Paul Saturdays, Inc.
The Original Upgrade
Serving the Community since 1984: The Three C’s
Connection
Communication
Collaboration
Motto: “Better to Build Men than to Mend Boys”
St. Paul Saturdays History
In 1984, after a passionate discussion between Rev. C. Garnett Henning, pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, and Dr. William J. Harrison, a prominent educator, about the need for a male mentoring program in the St. Louis area, Saint Paul Saturdays was established in the basement of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
St. Paul Saturdays was founded by Rev. C. Garnett Henning, Pastor and The 112th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Dr. William J. Harrison, an educator, historian, humanitarian, and active member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church. Pastor Henning and Dr. Harrison strongly believed that young black men need, desire, and deserve a chance in life.
St. Paul Saturdays is a supplement to the family and community, and providing spiritual enrichment by meeting in the Church would undergird their ultimate potential by identifying their understanding of a higher power. The males who participate are to learn that, ultimately, each man is responsible for his development. We provide programs and activities to give specific training, experience, instruction, and examples to achieve this purpose. Fundamentally, St. Paul Saturdays is a community program with no religious affiliation requirements for young men to participate.
From our humble beginnings forty (40) years ago, we have grown to serve thousands (1,000) young men (ages 6 to 17) each Saturday in the basement of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. Each male participant knows he is expected to earn a college degree. We have partnered with Washington University. With our new upgrade, we have potential partners with Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis Juvenile Justice, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and St. Louis Public School to tutor each young man every month, along with other meaningful support. The program has a 100% high graduation rate, and 100% of our high school graduates attend college. Since our founding in 1984, five St. Paul Saturday Men have graduated cum laude (“with honors”) from Morehouse College, Dr. Harrison’s alma mater.
Expectations Of Young Male Participants
Each young male is expected to attend the program regularly year-round.
Program standards of decorum and discipline will be observed.
Overall personal growth is expected as listed under program expectations.
Each young male is expected to graduate from high school.
Each young male is expected to graduate from college.
Each young male is expected to volunteer for service in the home, church, community, and other activities of which he is a part.
{A} St. Paul Saturday’s young male is expected to accept responsibility in all parts of his life: family, school, church, and community.
Each young male is to strive for leadership in whatever activity, organization, or group of which he is a part.
Each young male is to earn whatever he expects to receive and to achieve for nothing less.
He is to become a man – with all its positive connotations.
The Male Mentors
Picture: Left to Right: Current Pastor, Rev. Dr. Spencer Lamar Booker, Founder, Late Bishop C. Garnett Henning with successful Former Mentors and Past St. Paul Saturday Boys. (Picture taken in February 2014)
To become a program volunteer for the weekly Saturday activities, a man must first genuinely care about our boys and have a passion for helping them grow and develop. He must be willing to show up regularly and be willing to participate in an orientation session. He must obey our “hands off” policy regarding how we provide discipline and be willing to submit to a criminal background check to confirm no record of child abuse. Our men volunteers are a special group of gentlemen dedicated to the young men in the program. We are always looking for a “few more good men.”
Donations Are Welcome
St. Paul Saturdays, Inc., is a federally chartered 501-c(3) not-for-profit organization. We have several fundraisers annually to cover operations and supplies. We also accept corporate, trust, and foundation contributions from entities that desire to support this 501-c(3) organization empowering and enriching young males to be their best.
Please send your Donations:
Via Givelify: Specify St. Paul Saturdays
Web: https://www.givelify.com/givenow/1.0/MzEzMzI=/selection
Mail: 1260 Hamilton Ave St. Louis, MO 63112 or (P. O. Box 11986 St. Louis, MO 63112)
Virtual Merchant
Phone:
Steward Stephanie Johnson | (314-420-6384)
Steward Carol Carroll | (314-922-5195)
Non-Profit Charter# 3770 | EIN# 3855
The Board of Directors
Rev. Dr. Spencer Lamar Booker, Chairman of the Board
Mr. Norris Ryan, President
Mr. Simeon Dockett, Vice President
Mrs. Mae Etta Weston, Secretary
Mrs. Stephanie Johnson, Treasurer
Mrs. Ernestine Henning, Board of Director, Widow of Founder
Mrs. Maelyn Smith, Board of Director, Registered Agent
Mrs. Gail G. Booker, Board of Director
Presiding Elder Edmund Lowe, Board of Director
Rev. Regina Lowe, Board of Director
Mrs. Ryan, Narisella, Board of Director
Mr. Kenneth Ferrell, Board of Director
For more information please call St. Paul AME Church.
Phone: 314-385-8900 (and reference St. Paul Saturdays)
Email: sps@stpaulamestl.net