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!

In this issue: Last minute ways to support Youth In Need; holiday light display raises money.

Before You Say, “Happy New Year!”

With less than three weeks before the end of the year, there are still so many ways to help the children, youth and families Youth In Need serves!

Cash Gifts

Whether online, by check, by phone or by Venmo . . . every donation has an impact on the young lives jumpstarted by Youth In Need services! Click here to give.

Holiday Drive

Give hope this holiday season by participating in Youth In Need’s Holiday Drive. Donate an item from our wish list or make a cash donation. More information here.

Donor Advised Funds

If you have a DAF and want to put those dollars to work in 2022, now is the time. And the need for our youth—whether counseling, early learning, basic shelter or transitional living as—couldn’t be greater!

IRA Charitable Rollover

If you haven’t taken the annual required minimum distribution from your IRA yet for 2022, don’t forget donors 70 ½ and older may direct up to $100,000 to a nonprofit without the distribution being a part of your income.

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.

In this issue: New helpline number launched; staff kudos and Pat’s Chat.

There’s now a three-digit dialing code in the United States for people of all ages in mental health crisis. Modeled after 911, the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. Critically, this includes youth because barriers to mental health care and the prevalence of suicide among young people is a frightening crisis in our country.

In St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, youth and families can also call the Youth Connection Helpline at 314-819-8802 to access crisis and referral help 24/7. Youth In Need’s school- and community-based counseling services are another resource for youth experiencing crisis. Providing free professional mental health support to children and youth of all ages at community locations and schools throughout St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln County, Youth In Need partners with clients to explore and use their abilities, coping skills and resilience, as well as their external resources, to discover their strengths and solve the issues they face. To learn more about Youth In Need’s counseling services, visit www.youthinneed.org/counseling.

People can call 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of more than 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.

The U.S. youth suicide rate has risen more than 50 percent since 2007, and since 2019, suicide has been ranked the second leading cause of death among youth, ages 10 to 24. For youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and for LGBTQ+ youth, the rate is even higher. It’s estimated that for every suicide death, there may be as many as 200 attempts. One out of eight (12 percent) middle school students have seriously considered suicide, while nine percent planned a suicide and six percent attempted. Isolation and lack of social support, trauma and abuse, and lack of access to mental health resources are all contributing factors. Social media and screen time also are thought to increase anxiety, depression, feelings of isolation and lack of sleep—all of which exacerbate suicide risk.

Congratulations!

Kudos to Demetria Lightfoot and Carrie Williams, two Youth In Need staff who are doing great things in their fields!

Demetria Lightfoot, Director of Philanthropy, was named to the Regional Business Council’s Leadership 100 this month. Each year, 100 young professionals are recognized to be a part of the Young Professionals Network Leadership 100 cohort because of their demonstrated leadership and service to the community. Demetria has been working in development in the social justice field for more than a decade. She is Board President for St. Martin’s Child Center, a mentor with Nonprofit Marketers Network and a Board member and mentor at The Sophia Project. Demetria also is an alum of Focus St. Louis Emerging Leaders Program and Vision St. Charles County Leadership. As a member of Leadership 100, Demetria and her colleagues will participate in unique professional, cultural and community service experiences in St. Louis.

Carrie Williams, Health Manager in our Early Learning Program (ELP), recently completed the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Head Start Management Fellows Program. Carrie was one of 40 Head Start professionals from across the country to complete one of this summer’s intensive two-week sessions. Carrie focused her Management Improvement Project (MIP) on the health services in Youth In Need’s ELP. The MIP allows participants to immediately translate the UCLA program curriculum to improve performance at their own organizations. It identifies and addresses an organizational weakness or external opportunity through the development of a strategic plan for tackling an issue. For Carrie, the MIP included revising data collection and tracking processes to help identify trends, challenges and solutions more quickly related to children’s access to health care. Because this analysis and improvement structure can be applied to any problem, Carrie will be training the ELP management team on the process so they can incorporate it into their strategic planning.

Pat’s Chat: What’s Your “Why?”

Every role is vital to Youth In Need’s mission and vision. Our backgrounds and experiences are unique, yet we have a shared purpose that unites us and gives our work meaning and value.

We…

• Form deep connections with our clients and each other.
• Partner with kids and families during significant times of their lives.
• Help clients learn that they are capable and they belong.
• Hold space and hope for those in deep pain so they can heal.
• Nurture growth and development and potential, in our clients . . . and in ourselves
• Stand for justice, and equity and inclusion.
• Connect with our colleagues and bond over shared experiences.
• Affirm each other’s truths, and appreciate the gifts and talents that each of us brings.
• Appreciate the generous support from so many who contribute their time, talent and treasure, just because they care.
• Become better human beings because of what we learn and experience at Youth In Need.

Thank you for bringing your best self to Youth In Need.  It makes all the difference in the world.

“Work is love made visible.”  – Kalil Gibran

Find your “why” at Youth In Need. Explore our open positions.

As challenging as 2021 was in many ways, our clients remained first and foremost. As we helped them on their way, we watched these amazing individuals develop and build on their on strengths. The graphic at right highlights just some of their successes. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to read our 2021 Annual Report and celebrate another remarkable year. Your support helped us increase our impact on those we serve. Thank you!

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!

In this issue: Youth In Need named a Top Workplace, and golf registration underway.

Youth In Need Named a 2022 “Top Workplace”

Youth In Need has been named as one of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Top Workplaces in the midsize company category. This is the organization’s eighth time on the list since 2013! The Top Workplaces are based on employee feedback secured through third-part survey results. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution and connection, just to name a few. More than 243 employees completed the survey.

“This is the first time since 2019 that we’ve participated in the Top Workplaces survey,” said Pat Holterman-Hommes, Youth In Need’s President and CEO. “For our staff to name Youth In Need worthy of this honor after two very challenging years is truly amazing. We navigated a global pandemic. We’ve been apart from one another. We adapted to do our jobs differently so that we could continue to provide services to the young people who needed us most. Our staff is our strength, and we wouldn’t have made it through the last two years as well as we did without each and every one of them.”

Tee Off for a Great Cause

Golf with us! It’s one of the St. Louis region’s largest charity golf tournaments, and you won’t want to miss it! Youth In Need’s 25th annual Golfing for Youth Benefit Tournament, presented by Greater Giving, a Nonprofit of FasterHouse & Magnolia Real Estate, is Monday, Aug. 1 at Whitmoor Country Club and the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club in St. Charles.

There’s lots of ways to get involved and show your support:

• Purchase a tournament sponsorship. Options range from $350 to $6,000, perfect for anyone who wants to support the tournament and enjoy a few marketing benefits as well.
• Register a team or individual to play in the tournament.
• Send a monetary gift that goes straight to the bottom line of helping children, youth and families.
• Donate a silent or live auction item. Experiences, getaways, restaurant gift cards, tickets to sporting events and concerts, sports memorabilia and the latest gadgets are always hot items.
• Purchase a Winner’s Choice raffle ticket for a chance to win one of five amazing getaways or a cash prize.

For more information about any of these opportunities, visit https://one.bidpal.net/golfingforyouth/welcome or contact Ashlee Berry, Annual Fund Director, at
636-757-9346.