CHIPS is committed to the complex needs of young people, particularly minorities and those disadvantaged by poverty, to achieve their full potential as individuals and to pursue healthy and productive lives. CLUB CHIPS - Community Youth Leaders United for Better Health is a year around youth leadership development and performing arts program that trains high school students to use artistic expression to promote awareness of health and wellness issues, increase health literacy and promote healthy lifestyles. CLUB CHIPS uses outlets such as journal writing, drawing/fabric painting, movement and improvisation as a basis for a deeper exploration of and consequences of issues that confront young people today.
Teens express themselves through theatre and these programs are inventive and effective ways to talk about difficult subjects.
Children and teens in CHIPS’ primary service area are at greater risk than young people living elsewhere in St. Louis and the State of Missouri and they face challenges that are unique to these urban neighborhoods. Violent crimes occur more often in zip code 63106, where CHIPS is located, and in the surrounding zip codes 63107 and 63113, than elsewhere in the city. These three zip codes also have the highest rates of STD infections and teen pregnancy in the metropolitan area. 40.9% of the adults in this area did not complete high school or get a GED. Consequently, the area has high rates of poverty and unemployment.
The CLUB CHIPS after school and summer program trains 10 to 15 Peer Health Educators a year who present their original creative health education plays, vignettes and workshops to audiences of several hundred children and adults per year. CLUB CHIPS programs have been presented to over 13,000 inidivduals since its inception in 2001.
The CLUB CHIPS model of using creative writing, movement, visual art, music and theatre to increase awareness of health and wellness issues among school children and adults is a very successful method for increasing health literacy and promoting healthy lifestyles, while developing an appreciation for the performance arts.
Researchers have found that the arts teach young people responsibility, teamwork, discipline, communication skills and helps them realize their full potential as productive citizens. In addition, peer education is an effective method of communicating valuable and sensitive health information to young people.
Talented, energetic youth between ages 14 and 18 audition to become part of the CLUB CHIPS program. The teens receive a stipend and for many, it is their first employment experience and an opportunity to help their families financially.
This activity is financed (in part) through an allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis' Community Development Administration.
Meet Recent CLUB CHIPPERS
Surayya Cazembe
My name is Surayya Cazembe and I am 15 years old. I go to Lafayette High School where I am in the 10th grade. I’ve been a part of CLUB CHIPS for 5 months. In my free time, I enjoy singing and playing piano, guitar and alto saxophone. I don’t know what I want to be just yet, but I want to study something in the music field.
Sydney Dixson
Hello, my name is Sydney Dixson. I am 17 years old and I attend Grand Center Arts Academy where I am a graduating Senior. I’ve been a part of CLUB CHIPS for 4 years. I enjoy dancing and plan on studying law in college.
Darnesha Franks
My name is Darnesha Franks. I currently attend Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience as a 15-year-old Sophomore. I pride myself in my determination to pursue my future career as a forensic technician. I have been accomplishing this goal by being an avid member of CLUB CHIPS at CHIPS Health and Wellness Center for a total of 10 months now. In my spare time, I enjoy dance, reading about science fiction, volunteering, and discovering new fields of medical science through special organizations like CHIPS.
Callie Gutierrez
Christian Harris
My name is Christian Harris and I am a junior at Grand Center Arts Academy. I am 16 and I’ve been in CLUB CHIPS for 8 months. My favorite hobbies are singing and acting. When I go to college I would like to study child psychology.
Waamene Wifa
My name is Waamene Wifa. I am 15 and a sophomore at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. I want to become a Pediatric or Cardiac Surgeon. I love photography and reading!
CHIPS is committed to the complex needs of young people, particularly minorities and those disadvantaged by poverty, to achieve their full potential as individuals and to pursue healthy and productive lives. CLUB CHIPS - Community Youth Leaders United for Better Health is a year around youth leadership development and performing arts program that trains high school students to use artistic expression to promote awareness of health and wellness issues, increase health literacy and promote healthy lifestyles. CLUB CHIPS uses outlets such as journal writing, drawing/fabric painting, movement and improvisation as a basis for a deeper exploration of and consequences of issues that confront young people today.
Teens express themselves through theatre and these programs are inventive and effective ways to talk about difficult subjects.
Children and teens in CHIPS’ primary service area are at greater risk than young people living elsewhere in St. Louis and the State of Missouri and they face challenges that are unique to these urban neighborhoods. Violent crimes occur more often in zip code 63106, where CHIPS is located, and in the surrounding zip codes 63107 and 63113, than elsewhere in the city. These three zip codes also have the highest rates of STD infections and teen pregnancy in the metropolitan area. 40.9% of the adults in this area did not complete high school or get a GED. Consequently, the area has high rates of poverty and unemployment.
The CLUB CHIPS after school and summer program trains 10 to 15 Peer Health Educators a year who present their original creative health education plays, vignettes and workshops to audiences of several hundred children and adults per year. CLUB CHIPS programs have been presented to over 13,000 inidivduals since its inception in 2001.
The CLUB CHIPS model of using creative writing, movement, visual art, music and theatre to increase awareness of health and wellness issues among school children and adults is a very successful method for increasing health literacy and promoting healthy lifestyles, while developing an appreciation for the performance arts.
Researchers have found that the arts teach young people responsibility, teamwork, discipline, communication skills and helps them realize their full potential as productive citizens. In addition, peer education is an effective method of communicating valuable and sensitive health information to young people.
Talented, energetic youth between ages 14 and 18 audition to become part of the CLUB CHIPS program. The teens receive a stipend and for many, it is their first employment experience and an opportunity to help their families financially.
This activity is financed (in part) through an allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis' Community Development Administration.
Meet Recent CLUB CHIPPERS
Surayya Cazembe
My name is Surayya Cazembe and I am 15 years old. I go to Lafayette High School where I am in the 10th grade. I’ve been a part of CLUB CHIPS for 5 months. In my free time, I enjoy singing and playing piano, guitar and alto saxophone. I don’t know what I want to be just yet, but I want to study something in the music field.
Sydney Dixson
Hello, my name is Sydney Dixson. I am 17 years old and I attend Grand Center Arts Academy where I am a graduating Senior. I’ve been a part of CLUB CHIPS for 4 years. I enjoy dancing and plan on studying law in college.
Darnesha Franks
My name is Darnesha Franks. I currently attend Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience as a 15-year-old Sophomore. I pride myself in my determination to pursue my future career as a forensic technician. I have been accomplishing this goal by being an avid member of CLUB CHIPS at CHIPS Health and Wellness Center for a total of 10 months now. In my spare time, I enjoy dance, reading about science fiction, volunteering, and discovering new fields of medical science through special organizations like CHIPS.
Callie Gutierrez
Christian Harris
My name is Christian Harris and I am a junior at Grand Center Arts Academy. I am 16 and I’ve been in CLUB CHIPS for 8 months. My favorite hobbies are singing and acting. When I go to college I would like to study child psychology.
Waamene Wifa
My name is Waamene Wifa. I am 15 and a sophomore at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. I want to become a Pediatric or Cardiac Surgeon. I love photography and reading!