In this issue: Remembering Gene San Filippo; High school students come together to acquire Little Libraries for Early Learning Programs; Youth In Need staff run the Northside Trap Run; Youth In Need named a Core Funded Partner.
Remembering Gene San Filippo
On August 9, 2026, a beloved friend to Youth In Need passed away. Gene was a wonderful Youth In Need supporter and volunteer for more than 30 years.
To know Gene was to love him. Rob Muschany, Chief Development Officer, once said, “Gene always had a smile on his face and, more than likely, a joke to tell.”
Not only was Gene greatly involved in the organization, but so was his wife Connie, daughter Lisa and son-in-law Joe. Gene’s dedication led to him being awarded the Youth In Need Quiet Hero Award in 2022 for his more than 30 years of service.
We will always remember and cherish our memories of Gene, and he will be deeply missed.
Students Promote Literacy with Little Libraries
Over the summer, high school senior Maya B. took the initiative to write a grant proposal to Youth Service America as part of her “Shine Light on Literacy and Service” project. This grant awarded Youth In Need with the funds to implement Little Libraries at two of our Early Learning Programs locations!
Maya, along with other students, came together to build these Little Libraries, as well as fill them through a book drive that they organized at their school! They even included elementary students by having them decorate bookmarks for each book as a way to encourage reading in children of all ages.
Thank you to all of the students who came together for this project! We are inspired by your initiative, and we are so excited to see how these Little Libraries encourage the families and young readers that we serve.
Youth In Need Staff Return for the Northside Trap Run
Youth In Need staff returned to the Northside Trap Run, hosted by Northside Community Housing, Inc. earlier this month.
The annual Northside Trap Run is just one of the ways that NCHI furthers its mission to bring resources, affordable housing and thriving community to North St. Louis!
We had a great time running, discussing our programs, answering questions and connecting with our community in The Ville!
Youth In Need Named a Core Funded Partner
Youth In Need is proud to be a 2026-2029 Core Funded Partner!
St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) improves the lives of children, youth and families in St. Louis County by strategically investing in the creation and maintenance of an integrated system of care that delivers effective and quality mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services.
Through the CSF partnership, Youth In Need receives funding for our Counseling, Transitional Living, Street Outreach and Safe Place programs. We are so grateful for this partnership and the opportunities it creates for those in our community to receive our services.
