YEP! STL Recognized for Innovation in Philanthropy
YEP (Youth Engaged in Philanthropy) STL!, a partnership between YouthBridge and First Bank, was recently recognized with an Innovation in Philanthropy award by the St. Louis Business Journal. Now in its fifth year, YEP STL! is a grant making program led by a diverse group of high school students, who research nonprofit organizations, request and review applications, conduct interviews and ultimately choose annual winners to split $10,000 in grant money provided by the bank. To date, the YEP STL! program has involved about 120 high school students from 30 area schools and awarded $50,000 in grants.
“Perhaps my favorite thing about YEP is our ability to do real work and have real impact,” says YEP STL! alumn Tyler Ray. “Skillful and intellectual debate is necessary to make good decisions, and there is nothing more conducive to teaching that skill than knowing your decision has an impact.” Read the full St. Louis Business Journal article here.
Congratulations to our 2022 YEP STL! grant winners!
CASA
CASA of St. Louis engages highly trained volunteers to provide best-interest court and community-based advocacy for children who are in the foster care system due to abuse and neglect. The grant supports the recruitment, training and support of CASA volunteer advocates. stlcasa.org
CHADS
CHADS saves young lives by advancing the awareness and prevention of depression and suicide. The grant supports social-emotional mentoring. chadscoaltion.org
More Than Enough Ministries
More Than Enough Ministries exists to educate, empower and equip caring people to provide for vulnerable children. The grant supports the Camp Hope for Kids program and mentorship. mo-morethanenough.com
Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation
The mission of the Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation is to strengthen and empower families affected by congenital heart disease. The grant supports the cost of providing therapy sessions for heart families. theohhf.org
The Child Advocacy Center of NEMO
The mission of CACNEMO is responding to child abuse through a supportive team approach to reduce the trauma to children and their families. The grant supports mental health therapy for victims of child abuse. cacnemo.org
The Covering House
The Covering House provides refuge and restoration, using the least restrictive environment, for sexually exploited and trafficked children and teens. We strive to provide safety, dignity and freedom, utilizing top level staffing and oversight. The grant supports the recovery of youth survivors of sex trafficking – emotional, mental and physical – in our residential therapeutic home. thecoveringhouse.org
Undies for Everyone
Undies for Everyone provides children living in poverty or crisis with new underwear, recognizing the importance of this small basic need as part of a child’s increased chances of long-term success. The grant supports the purchasing, packing and distributing of bags containing seven pairs of underwear to Boys & Girls Clubs, and students enrolled in the school district’s Homeless Department. undiesforeveryone.org