In this issue: Academy School reopens; new ELP classrooms open in Francis Howell School District; job fair seeks program staff; and registration open for annual trivia night.

Early Learning Center Reopens as a Community School

Youth In Need’s Academy School celebrated its reopening earlier this month with a ribbon cutting and school tours. Closed for just over a year, Academy School reopened earlier this year after undergoing a facility-wide renovation.

Located in the Academy/Sherman Park neighborhood, Academy School provides high-quality early childhood education services as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programming at no cost to qualifying families so that children are prepared to enter kindergarten on par with their peers. Designed to be both an educational institution and a center of community life, Academy School will be developing a wide variety of supports to parents, guardians and families, including workforce readiness and employment support; access to essential needs such as food and clothing as well as healthcare and mental healthcare.

One such support is the Academy School Community Clinic, which operates on-site in partnership with iFM Community Medicine. Currently open to families of enrolled children and staff, the clinic will eventually be open to the community at large once licensing is complete. Academy School also has partnered with The St. Louis Association of Community Organizations and Neighborhood Watch while it works toward future plans to fill gaps in the community’s needs not met elsewhere.

YIN Opens New ELP Classrooms in Francis Howell School District

Youth In Need recently opened two new Early Learning Program classrooms in the Francis Howell School District, one at Central Elementary and one at Harvest Ridge Elementary. The new classrooms will serve 30 preschool students, ages 3 to 5, and have two bilingual teachers for the six dual language students currently enrolled.

“All of the three early childhood centers within the district are largely fee-based slots, which are unaffordable to a large population of families,” said Sarah Briddell, St. Charles County Operations Director for Youth In Need’s Early Learning Programs. “This led to many children entering kindergarten lacking the skills needed to be successful.”

There are plans to open one more classroom at Henderson Elementary once space allows for the expansion.

YIN to Hold Job Fair for Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

Are you looking for a career that makes a difference? Supporting youth experiencing homelessness is critically important always, but especially now. We’re hiring for positions in our Street Outreach program, Transitional Living Program, Emergency Shelter and more. Learn more about joining our team of caring, mission-driven staff on Thursday, April 20, 2023, from noon to 4 p.m. at 1815 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles.

Youth In Need’s employees enjoy:

• Amazing benefits
• Generous paid time off
• Strengths-based culture
• Commitment to racial equity

Let us know if you’ll be there! Click here to RSVP.

Test Your Trivia Knowledge

Join Youth In Need’s Young Professionals Group for its annual Trivia Night, presented by Mia Rose Holdings, on Friday, May 12, at the Bridgeton Recreation Center! Doors open at 6 p.m., and trivia begins at 7 p.m.

Registration is $200 for tables of eight and includes soda, beer, wine and popcorn. Outside food and drinks are encouraged, just no glass, please. Event Sponsors ($500) and Round Sponsors ($150) are still needed, too. Your fun-filled evening includes 10 rounds of trivia, a silent auction, raffles and more!