Every night in the St. Louis region, approximately 1,500 young people face the harsh reality of having no safe, permanent place to sleep. Even more heartbreaking? Nearly half are turned away from shelters simply because there’s no room.

More than 34,000 students in Missouri experienced homelessness during the 2022–2023 school year. And homelessness doesn’t always look the way we imagine: More than 80% of Missouri students identified as experiencing homelessness were staying with another family because of housing loss or economic hardship. These young people may be attending school every day while navigating uncertainty, trauma and the stress of not having a stable place to call home.

And for every youth experiencing homelessness, countless others teeter on the edge—caught in cycles of poverty, abuse or instability.

But there’s hope. With safe housing, compassionate support and accessible mental health support, young people can begin to heal and build a brighter future.

That’s why Youth In Need’s Associate Board is holding its eighth annual Step Up and Speak Out, a community awareness campaign launching November 1 in recognition of Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. Together, we’ll shine a light on the connection between youth homelessness and mental health, challenge common misconceptions and explore how our community can make a difference. Every dollar raised goes directly to our Street Outreach Program, helping young people find safety, stability and a path forward.

Join us for our Step Up Speak Out community event on November 18 at Youth In Need (1815 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles). Be the reason a young person finds shelter, support and hope.

Hear directly from Youth In Need counselors during a panel discussion featuring professionals who work with young people experiencing homelessness, as well as children and youth navigating trauma and mental health challenges in school and community settings. Our panelists will explore what youth homelessness really looks like, how housing instability affects mental and emotional well-being, what it takes to build trust with young people and how counseling and supportive relationships can help youth move toward safety and stability.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, community partner or simply someone who cares about young people, this is an opportunity to listen, learn and discover practical ways to help.

Questions? Reach out to Andy O’Donnell, Annual Fund Director, by email or at 636-757-9334.

How to Participate

Give

Support our efforts to end youth homelessness by making a donation through the giving form below.

Shop for a Cause

During the event, visit our shopping aisle to learn about and donate the most-needed items for Youth In Need’s counseling programs. Your contributions will help provide essential supplies that support the well-being of the children and youth we serve.

Can’t attend in person? You can still make a difference by shopping for the most-needed supplies from our Amazon wish list and sharing the Step-Up and Speak-Out Campaign with your friends, family, coworkers and community. For more information about holding a donation drive, contact Andy O’Donnell by email or at 636-757-9334.

Join Us

Join us for our community event on
Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at Youth In Need (1815 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles). Participants are invited to attend a panel discussion about Youth In Need’s programs that work directly with youth experiencing homelessness. Every conversation can challenge a misconception. Every shared message can raise awareness. And every act of support can help a young person take a step toward safety, healing and hope.