Our Impact

Club Esteem will celebrate 30 years of changing the lives of economically disadvantaged youth in 2021!

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Of our 100+ high school graduates, 91% have matriculated into college and 9% have chosen employment, vocational training or are serving in the U.S. Military.

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Over 100% of our students who enroll in college are graduating within 4-6 years (as compared to the 2022 national average college graduation rate of 11% for low-income and minority students (USNews.com)

THIRTY YEARS OF INSPIRING EXCELLENCE

1991

Club Esteem is founded by Gladys Williams with 50 students meeting once a week at Brother’s Park (now The Delta Life Development Center).

1994

Incorporated as Club Esteem Youth and Family Center, weekly tutoring moves to Lipscomb Community Center. 

2003

Junior League of South Brevard Inc., the City of Melbourne, and general contractor M.H. Williams Construction joined together to build a new facility for Club Esteem adjoined to  Eddie Lee Taylor Sr. Community Center (Formerly Lipscomb Park Community Center) at 3316 Monroe St. Melbourne.

2004

Club Esteem Youth and Family Center opens, offering expanded programs and services five days per week during the school year to approximately 60 students each day.  

2006

Recognizing the need for our services year-round, Club Esteem’s summer program launches. 
 

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2009

After joining Club Esteem in 1997 as a volunteer, and serving as Program Director and Assistant Director, Ellena Little becomes Executive Director, expanding programs to include: Financial Literacy, Math Counts, Reading Blast Off, Kids In Motion, Making of a Fine Young Lady, Just for Gents, Making Aerospace Real for Students, and Science Wonders.

2011

Thirty students attend Club Esteem’s first annual college trip.

2012 & 2013

Two Club Esteem students receive the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship, selected from a pool of over 55,000. This award covers the costs of tuition, room, and board, throughout master’s or doctoral programs.

2013

18 high school students graduate from high school. The highest number in a single year, bringing the total high school graduate to over 50 since 2009.

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2018

Aiming to help increase student interest in STEM, coding classes are introduced at Club Esteem.

2020

COVID-19 does not stop Club Esteem from supporting students: tutoring and enrichment programs are offered virtually. Over 4,500 grab and go meals are provided to students who no longer have access to free and reduced lunches, 1,750 weekend meal packets and over 400 bags of groceries are provided to some of our most vulnerable populations.

2021

Club Esteem celebrates thirty years of community service with plans to enhance, expand and continue to help every child in our community dream of a life beyond their current circumstances.

DID YOU KNOW?
    1. After school in Florida, 1 in 5 kids are left alone and unsupervised. Club Esteem serves students from over 20 schools in Brevard County and aims to serve more students in 2022.
    2. 71% of students attending after school programs in Florida are engaged in STEM learning. Club Esteem students have access to STEM classes during the school year and summer. We aim to expand our offerings in 2022 and enhance our 3D printing capabilities.
    3. The national average graduation rate for black students is 79% and the average for low income students is 79.5%. Club Esteem high school seniors hold a 100% high school graduation rate.
    4. Black students who have one black teacher are more likely to go to college. The majority of Club Esteem alumni site the diverse staff and mentors they have access to at Club Esteem as a major reason they attended college. 
    5. Two in five low income households have limited access to computers and the internet. Club Esteem students have access to a computer lab, laptops and tablets.