Community Involvement
The Magic House believes it is important to bring the magic of the museum and hands-on learning experiences to communities, schools and families that need it most. Thanks to the generous support of corporate and foundation grants, The Magic House is able to provide those opportunities.
Monsanto Youth Family Nights
Visiting The Magic House is not always possible for families in need. To put that dream within the reach of more St. Louis children, The Magic House joins forces with the Monsanto Fund and 12 youth service organizations to offer Monsanto Youth Family Nights, special evenings when organizations that serve at-risk children and families can have the museum all to themselves.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Monsanto Fund, Monsanto Youth Family Nights are held on evenings throughout the year when the museum is closed to the public and available only for the exclusive use of families from a youth organization. Free admission, transportation, educational activities and refreshments are provided.
In 2006 the following 12 groups enjoyed having The Magic House all to themselves:
- St. Louis City Head Start Alliance
- The Father’s Group
- Kids in the Middle
- Marian Middle School
- Kingdom House
- St. Vincent Home for Children
- Guardian Angel Settlement
- Girls Inc.
- Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri
- Missouri Baptist Children’s Home
- City Academy
A Dose of Magic
Since 2001, The Magic House has been fortunate to receive grants from the Saigh Foundation to present A Dose of Magic. The Magic House collaborates with the Child Life departments of four St. Louis pediatric hospitals: St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children— St. Louis, Ranken Jordan (a pediatric rehabilitation center) and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Because many of the young patients at these health-care facilities are often unable to visit the museum due to illness, injury or risk of infection, The Magic House comes to them with outreach programs designed to deliver hands-on learning experiences in their own hospital wards, playrooms and even beds.
A Dose of Magic also enables The Magic House to provide free special evening events for patients and their families when the museum is closed to the general public. Many of these children endure long-term or frequent hospitalizations and care as they undergo extensive rehabilitation, therapy and treatment for chronic diseases. Because of their physical conditions, these children are often unable to enjoy children’s museums and other attractions that draw large crowds during regular public hours.
Thanks to the generosity of the Saigh Foundation, The Magic House has hosted special nights for children and their families from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis; the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Gateway Chapter; the St. Louis Society for the Physically Disabled; organ transplant recipients from SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital; young patients from Washington University’s Sickle Cell Anemia Clinic; Friends of Kids With Cancer; children coping with the death of a family member from Annie’s Hope: The Bereavement Center for Kids; patients from the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Speech and Language Disorders; families of children diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that manifests itself in childhood cancers; and children recovering from traumatic brain injury from St. Louis Children’s Hospital Neurorehabilitation Unit.
Field Trip Scholarship Fund
The Magic House raises money for the Field Trip Scholarship Fund through corporate and foundation grants and an annual Gala. This fund allows the museum to continue our enduring commitment to reach underserved St. Louis children who most need the unique hands-on educational services that only The Magic House provides. Last year, The Magic House provided curriculum-enriching educational programs free of charge to 25,000 St. Louis children through contributions to the Field Trip Scholarship Fund.
St. Louis Public Library
The Magic House has a long history of collaborating with the St. Louis Public Library. Museum educators present programs at the various library branches throughout the year, and especially during the summer.
Each summer the museum hosts a Free Family Night for each library branch, providing city neighborhoods with the opportunity to visit The Magic House together free of charge. Transportation is provided and every family receives a free book to take home.
The Magic House Outreach
The Magic House is proud to be a part of the St. Louis community and participates in numerous area fairs and celebrations, bringing hands-on learning to area neighborhoods.
If you would like information on how The Magic House may participate in your upcoming event, please call (314) 822-8900, ext. 15. |
