TDTO has been awarded the St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention and Violence Prevention Commission grants for 2026!!!
Who We Are
Empowering youth and families through arts experiences that support emotional wellness, reduce stress, and encourage healthy bonding. Strengthening social-emotional skills and fostering a sense of possibility. Join us in making a difference.
After 14 months since our inception, The Doctor's Touch Outreach is proud to announce our first grant aimed at fostering mental health among underserved youth in the St. Louis City community. This innovative program focuses on observing and assisting youth with social, behavioral, and physical health while they engage in our arts education initiatives. We believe that the intersection of mental health and creative expression can empower our participants and lead to transformative outcomes. Running until July 2025, we were excited to continue our mission of support and healing in our community.
TDTO Supporting Families
On November 8th, TDTO provided youth and families a memorable experience with our new partnership, STL Symphony Orchestra Powell Hall . The open house event aimed to promote emotional wellness, reduce stress, and foster healthy family relationships through the power of music and creativity. By engaging in artistic activities, participants enhanced their social-emotional skills and expanded their sense of possibilities, creating lasting memories and connections.
Old Newsboys
The Doctor’s Touch Outreach is honored to partner with the Old Newsboys of St. Louis for a community fundraiser on Thursday, November 20th. Our team will join volunteers across the city to help raise funds that directly support individuals and families in need. By participating in this long-standing St. Louis tradition, TDTO continues its commitment to strengthening communities, uplifting vulnerable residents, and ensuring that local youth and families have access to essential resources and hopeful opportunities.
BANDS OF AMERICA
On Saturday, October 18th, The Doctor’s Touch Outreach (TDTO) sponsored a community outing for students and their families to attend the Bands of America (BOA) Competition at the Edward Jones Dome. This event marked the beginning of an exciting new partnership with BOA, rooted in our shared belief that music, structure, and performance can foster emotional resilience and community connection.
As participants watched the precision, discipline, and passion of the marching bands, they also engaged in discussions about mental health regulation and the emotional strength it takes to perform under pressure. For me personally, this event was deeply meaningful. I was reminded of October 1990, when I was a senior at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, MO, serving as drum major. Our marching band competed in this very same event—then held at the same venue—in the Blue Division and took first place. I know firsthand the dedication, stress, and triumph involved in leading a band to victory, and how powerful those formative experiences can be.
This outing wasn’t just entertainment—it was exposure to excellence, leadership, and discipline. These are the kinds of transformative experiences I want our youth to witness and one day live for themselves. It’s about showing them what’s possible when passion and perseverance come together.
BOA
On September 6, 2025, The Doctor’s Touch Outreach joined community leaders and partners in celebrating the 36th Anniversary of Caring Communities at the Better Family Life Center. The event was hosted by Caring Communities’ Founder and Executive Director, Khatib Waheed, and featured an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Kelvin Adams, Founder and Executive Director of the STL Community Foundation and former Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. Alderwoman Pamela Boyd of Ward 13 offered remarks and greetings to honor the organization's impact in North St. Louis. Pictured bottom left to right: Dr. Marvetta L. Butler, Founder and Executive Director of TDTO; James Turner, Founder and Executive Director of STEM on Wheels; Denise Carter, Director of Children’s Services at MHB; and Lisa and Steve Porter, Executive Directors of 4 Walls and Beyond. The celebration was a powerful testament to the enduring strength of grassroots collaboration and community-centered leadership.
