In this issue: Golfing for Youth, TLP roof repair update and Spanish Lake Bright Futures campaign.

Thanks for Supporting Golfing for Youth

Thanks to everyone who supported the 25th annual Golfing for Youth Benefit Tournament, presented by Greater Giving, a nonprofit of FasterHouse and Magnolia Real Estate! More than 300 golfers—that’s 80 teams!—hit the links on three courses at Whitmoor Country Club and the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club on Aug. 1 for a day of fun to benefit the thousands of children, youth and families Youth In Need serves. Together, we raised more than $155,000! Whether you were a golfer, sponsor, donor or volunteer, we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you!

Thanks to our 2022 Golfing for Youth Sponsors! And check out the team photos from this year’s tournament.

When It Rains, It Pours . . . Generosity

In June, we asked for your help to repair the roof at our Transitional Living Program group home. You didn’t just “come through” for the youth who live there, you exceeded any hope of what we might be able to raise. Ninety-two donors answered our call for help and collectively funded the entire roof repair! Thank you for always being there when we need you the most. Because of your generosity, youth experiencing homelessness will continue to have a safe—and dry— home to live in.

Prior to repair, the roof damage at TLP caused a leak in the group home’s kitchen. 

Do You Live, Work or Play in Spanish Lake?

We recently launched our Spanish Lake Bright Futures Campaign, designed to learn about what residents believe youth in Spanish Lake need the most and explore how we might expand our reach to bring new resources to the community.

Come see us this Saturday, August 27, for a community pop-up! We’ll be at the Healthy Community Market at Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church at 351 Chambers Road from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

If you live, work or play in Spanish Lake, we want to know what you think would benefit Spanish Lake youth. Share your thoughts with a short three-minute survey and win a prize—gift cards, bus passes, swag bags and more—for participating!

The post NewsFeed | 8.25.22 appeared first on Youth In Need.

Congratulations, Graduate!

It’s graduation season, and Youth In Need couldn’t be prouder to celebrate a very special graduate.

Natasha’s story, featured in the 2019 United Way campaign video, is one of resilience and determination. And despite the circumstances that led her to Youth In Need, Natasha is so much more than what happened to her. “I am ready to show that to the world,” Natasha said from the stage at Youth In Need’s 2020 Celebration of Youth.

Tragically, Natasha lost her mom when she was only 12, and her subsequent living situations were filled with instability. She immersed herself in school, track and swim to help cope, but became homeless in high school. Fortunately, Natasha found Youth In Need’s Transitional Living Program (TLP), where she discovered the stability, compassion and support she needed to develop her potential. In addition to

support from Youth In Need’s staff, Natasha became connected to Board member Mary Krogmeier along the way. Mary helped Natasha apply for college and has remained a mentor. Resilient and driven, Natasha finished high school while she was at TLP.  She went to college in Ohio on a track scholarship, returning on holidays and summers, and Youth In Need continued to offer support and encouragement from afar.

Natasha completed her classes in December and walked in her college graduation this month. Mary was there to cheer her on. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for Natasha’s future!

Youth In Need Welcomes New Board Members

Since November, Youth In Need has added five new members to its Board of Directors. Welcome!

Kristi Borglum is an Advisor at Moneta, where she monitors changes in the financial industry and determines and communicates the impact of those changes on clients.

Dr. Maggie Johnson Glover, Ph.D., R.N., is Associate Chief Nurse at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where she supports the hospital’s patient care services operations, focusing on clinical improvement initiatives, leader development and staff recruitment and retention. She also is a retired U.S. Navy captain.

Kim Hager is a Personnel Manager at QuikTrip, where she supervises staff, customer and employee relations, hiring, training, legal, financial and communications operations

Kirsten Malloy is an Interior Designer at eddy Design Group, where she works directly with clients to design spaces that best meet their needs. Kirsten also serves as the Co-Chair of Youth In Need’s Young Professionals Group.

Jason Parrish is an Associate General Manager for Econdisc Contracting Solutions, working with Cigna/Express Scripts, where he is responsible for contract negotiations and supplier relations of more than 5,000 generic drug products.

The post NewsFeed | 05.28.21 appeared first on Youth In Need.

Thanking Those Who Care for Youth

Last week recognized two very special professions in the youth services sector: Youth care workers and teachers. At Youth In Need, we have both and extend our heartfelt gratitude for all they do to care for, nurture and support the children and youth we serve.

May 6 was Thank a Youth Worker Day, an international celebration of youth workers who make a difference in the lives of young people. Youth In Need’s Residential Youth Care Workers make a difference every day, working to support and care for youth in our Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Program (TLP) group home and Supported Apartments program.

“While youth who come to the Shelter and TLP have many different backgrounds and circumstances, many, if not most, have experienced significant trauma,” said Pat Holterman-Hommes, Youth In Need’s CEO. “Residential Youth Care Workers ensure physical and emotional safety, respect youth’s boundaries, validate their feelings, affirm their identities, and empower them to build on their strengths and skills.  Their impact on young people is truly immeasurable, as they literally change lives each and every day through their caring interactions.”

Nationally recognized to honor educators for their hard work and dedication, last week’s Teacher Appreciation Week was a chance for Youth In Need to thank the teachers and family educators in our Early Learning Program. Not only do these staff have endless amounts of creativity and energy, but they connect with children and families in such purposeful and compassionate ways, fostering a love of learning along the way.

“We know that 90 percent of brain development happens by age 5, so these amazing preschool and infant-toddler teachers play an incredibly important role in the lives of the children entrusted to our care,” Holterman-Hommes said.

ELP Operations Director Promoted to Senior Director of ELP Partnerships

Vicki McCain, Youth In Need’s Director of Operations for the St. Charles County Early Learning Program (ELP), has been promoted to Senior Director of ELP Partnerships. An employee for 15 years, Vicki began her career at Youth In Need as a Teacher and has extensive experience in early childhood education. In her new role, Vicki will be responsible for overseeing Youth In Need’s childcare partner program, which partners with community-based childcare centers to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services to eligible families. She will manage a team that oversees 10 partner centers that serve more than 300 children. Congratulations, Vicki!

The post NewsFeed | 05.12.21 appeared first on Youth In Need.

Support Youth In Need on Give STL Day

Give STL Day is Thursday, May 6, and we’d love a little help from our friends! The single biggest day of charitable giving in St. Louis, Give STL Day brings St. Louis together as it collectively supports hundreds of the region’s nonprofits like Youth In Need.

Donations received on Give STL Day will support our Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Program and Supported Apartments. And Youth In Need’s Board of Directors will TRIPLE the first $5,000 in donations! That means your $100 gift turns into $300 of life-changing impact for our youth! Through our shelter, group home and supported living apartments, teens and young adults who are experiencing homelessness have an opportunity to learn independent-living skills, work toward educational and employment goals, and become self-sufficient community members. These programs are integral in helping youth experiencing homelessness achieve lasting success, and we need your help to make it happen!

Support Youth In Need during this day-long giving event by visiting Youth In Need’s donation page on givestlday.org. And don’t forget: When you donate, your gift will go even further to support youth experiencing homelessness in our community thanks to the triple match from Youth In Need’s Board of Directors! Watch Give STL Day’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for status updates, giving challenges and special “power hours” throughout the day.

Community Partners Help with Staff Vaccinations

Community partners have been instrumental in helping Youth In Need staff get their COVID-19 vaccines. Thanks to our partners at Compass Health, St. Charles County Health Department, iFM Community Medicine, Urban League and Visiting Nurse Association for vaccinating Youth In Need’s staff. Because of these partners, our staff are protected and they can continue the work of supporting children, youth and families.

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