What is it? CAC is the Christian Activity Center located in East St. Louis.  It is a recreation center open to children between the ages of 5-18.  Activities include playing sports, reading, talking, tutoring, playing on the computer, etc. with the kids.

When is it? CAC Days goes from 3-5 P.M. on Friday afternoons.  Meet at Upper Deneen at 3:00; transportation is provided.

Why would I want to do that? The kids are wonderful! These kids don’t have the same opportunities as we had. For many of them, college isn’t even going to be an option. Going to CAC each Friday makes the kids smile, and that makes it worth the short time and little energy we spend with them each week.

Anything else I should know?  Please wear closed-toed shoes and modest, comfortable clothing.

A Letter From CAC

The Christian Activity Center asked the children at CAC what they would change about East St. Louis:

Paint most of the houses pink and purple.

~Ricardee Overton, 7

Stop people from killing each other.

~Willie Austin, 13

Put a swimming pool at everybody's house.

~Demarion Cotton, 6

Get rid of the guns.

~Marlayjah Guy, 9

Make things more strict on crime.

~Barry Robertson, 12

Get rid of the school uniforms.

~Lakebia Hendricks, 12

Give everybody a bed.

~Mario Cotton, 8

Some harsh realities in our city laced with such innocence.  To preserve this innocence, a sweet CAC volunteer gave our kids a slumber party last weekend and took them to church.  She reflected on the weekend saying:

"Your kids LOVED Sunday School and said they want to come all the time.  One little gal offered to say a prayer in front of the whole church.  The words she offered up went straight to my heart: "Dear Jesus, thank you for the shoes on my feet, the clothes on my back, the food on my table.  Thank you for bringing us to this beautiful church.  Help us get home safely.  Amen."

The hearts of children here and everywhere are so pure.  Thank you for sharing in the lives of young people at CAC.

Related Links

Christian Activities Center website

http://www.cacesl.org/

Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois Volunteer Opportunities

http://www.ccsil.org/donate/volunteer.asp