In this issue: Annual holiday drive kicks off; Thanks for Giving recognizes donors; double your gift with tax credits; and forum addresses behavioral health care.

Help Spread Magic This Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us and many generous supporters in our community are gearing up to ensure every one of the more than 9,000 children, teens and families Youth In Need serves has a memorable holiday. Many local businesses, individuals, schools and community groups will participate in the agency’s annual holiday drive, collecting items from program wish lists through Dec. 12. To learn more about this year’s holiday drive, email Emily Birgenheier, Development Services Manager, view the general wish list or shop directly from the Amazon wish list. You also can support the drive by making a cash gift online.

Also back this year is the 13th annual Boatload of Toys drive with local radio station 93.7 The Bull. Radio personalities will be outside Bass Pro Shops in St. Charles on Dec. 3 and 4, filling boats with toys, hygiene supplies, books and more for Youth In Need. The station kicks off the Boatload of Toys drive with its annual Santa Jam concert on Friday, Dec. 2, at Stifel Theatre.

Annual Donor Event Celebrates Philanthropy

Youth In Need revived its annual “Thanks for Giving” donor appreciation event with a brunch at Vue 17 earlier this month. The event had been on hiatus since the pandemic. More than 50 donors attended the brunch, which is an opportunity for Youth In Need to extend its sincere thanks to guests for their support over the year. In addition, four special awards are given to supporters who have gone above and beyond in their advocacy for Youth In Need.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees!

Outstanding Community Partner
Ancient Order of Hibernians

Outstanding Corporate Partner
Healthy Blue Missouri

Outstanding Individual Partner
Beau Richmond

James A. Braun Champion of Children Award
Steve Zwolak

Increase Your End-of-Year Giving Impact with Tax Credits

Every youth deserves a helping hand. When you make a donation to Youth In Need and use tax credits, you’re doubling your impact! Thanks to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Youth In Need has both Youth Opportunity Program and Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits available for every gift of $100 or more. Double your gift at no additional cost! Donors contributing $100 or more qualify for state tax credits equal to 50 percent of their donation that can then be used to pay Missouri state income tax. Learn more about tax credits or make a gift online.

These tax credits were awarded to support and expand Youth In Need’s continuum of services reaching the region’s most underserved youth. Project services include homeless outreach, emergency shelter, early childhood education and both school-based and community-based counseling. With these tax credits, supporters will be able to contribute more than $650,000 to these programs.

Panel Discussion Highlights Access to Behavioral Health Care

Behavioral Health Forum, presented by FOCUS St. Louis and United Way of Greater St. Louis hosted a forum this week to discuss behavioral health care in our community. Pat Holterman-Hommes, Youth In Need’s President and CEO, was one of four panelists who discussed equitable access, streamlined navigation and accepted normalization of care across all communities and populations we serve.

“We envision a community with equitable opportunities for children, youth and families so that it is not only possible but probable that they will thrive,” Holterman-Hommes said. “To achieve that, we need community-based care that is culturally competent and physically and financially accessible.”

In this issue: Big IDEA awards honor former CEO’s legacy; Youth In Need rallies for annual United Way campaign; and new Board members join Youth In Need.

Whose Big IDEA Is This?

After Youth In Need’s beloved former CEO passed away in 2017, a group of staff and Board volunteers decided to recognize Jim’s life of service with an annual award for staff who exemplify Jim’s attributes of Innovation, Dedication, Excellence and Advocacy. This year’s James A. Braun Big IDEA Award honorees are Debbie Gittemeier, a Family Advocate in the Early Learning Program; Tyra Grose, Staffing and Administration Manager for Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs; Sarah Henry, Family Educator in the Early Learning Program; and Salam Saeed, Facilities Supervisor. Congratulations to the honorees and to the 16 other staff who were nominated this year!

Debbie Gittemeier, Early Learning Program Family Advocate: Debbie’s nominator said she is “an absolutely integral part of Lincoln County ELP.” Fueled by compassion and always giving 100 percent, what stands out about Debbie is her ability to build relationships with co-workers, clients and local organizations. One parent said, “I would not have made it the last six months without Debbie’s support.  I lost the people closest to me, my entire support system. She made it clear that I had support . . . she sat in silence with me when that’s what I needed, and we talked when I was ready.”

Tyra Grose, Runaway and Homeless Youth Staffing and Administration Manager: Tyra began her career as a Youth Care Worker at the Emergency Shelter right before the pandemic, and she’s already been promoted twice! Always striving for excellence, she embraces learning and holds herself and other to high standards. Her nominator said, “Tyra is a current and future leader at YIN and exemplifies the ideas of Jim in all she does. In ordinary times, Tyra deserves this award and in these hard times, she is stronger still. Residential programs would literally not operate without very dedicated, quiet doers—they don’t ask for much attention. Tyra is one of those people who just keeping getting the job done!”

Sarah Henry, Early Learning Program Family Educator: A true partner and advocate for families, Sarah helps parents problem solve and find resources all while building trust and rapport and giving encouragement and support. Always one to go above and beyond, Sarah literally helped one of her families escape Afghanistan and return to safety in the U.S. last year. Her nominator said Sarah is a “treasure” to her teammates and managers, always making others feel comfortable and included. “I believe her positive attitude naturally invites people to bring their whole self into any space that she is in.”

Salam Saeed, Facilities Facility Supervisor: Going above and beyond is just how Salam tackles his job. Every day, he ensures our facilities are well-functioning, safe, comfortable and inviting for our clients and staff. In addition to his many responsibilities, Salam has been highly involved with the Academy School renovation where he’s been on site daily to work with contractors. If the alarm goes off in the middle of the night, Salam responds. When the building flooded this summer, Salam quickly responded to salvage equipment and mitigate damage. Always smiling, quickly fixing problems, and coming up with ideas to make things better, Salam is widely loved and a huge asset to Youth In Need.

New Board Members

Youth In Need has elected three new members to our Board of Directors. Welcome!

Ryan Arnold is the Vice President of Division Operations at Ameren Missouri.

Jasmin Marshall is a Child and Family Development Assistant Professor at St. Louis Community College.

Candace Runions is an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher in the Hazelwood School District.