I Pour Life

Connecting youth to opportunities, resources, and possibilities! 💙🧡

Our Chafee team was grateful to be part of the Empowering Bright Futures Resource Fair in Union, MO, where we had the opportunity to connect with and serve more than 40 youth!

Events like this are a powerful reminder that sometimes the next step toward a brighter future starts with simply having the right people, resources, and connections in your corner. From career exploration and education to financial literacy, health and wellness, and community resources, we loved being part of a day focused on helping young people discover what’s possible.

A big thank you to everyone who helped bring this event together and to the community partners who continue to show up for youth. When we connect, learn, and grow together, we create stronger pathways toward brighter futures. 🌟

Collaboration makes stronger communities and in the foster care world, it can make an even greater impact. 🤝

Yesterday, members of our Northeast Missouri team had the opportunity to connect with our friends and partners at Coyote Hill for a collaborative meeting. We are incredibly grateful for organizations that share our commitment to supporting children, youth, and families and are willing to work together toward a common goal.

Foster care is complex, and no single organization can meet every need alone. By sharing knowledge, building relationships, and connecting resources, we can create a stronger network of support for the youth and families we serve.

We’re thankful for the partnership, friendship, and shared mission we have with Coyote Hill. Together, we can do more. 💙

🎉 Backyard Bash is TOMORROW! 🎉

We’re so excited to see everyone tomorrow from 5–7 PM at the I Pour Life House! 💙 If you’re planning to join us, please RSVP so we can get an accurate food count! 🍔🌭

Can’t wait to celebrate with you!

RSVP link in the comments!

WE'RE HIRING!

I Pour Life is looking for a Part-Time Chafee Specialist to serve youth in Salem, MO!

If you're passionate about building relationships, supporting youth as they navigate adulthood, and helping young people recognize their potential, we want to hear from you! 💙

📍 Salem, MO or surrounding areas
🕐 Part-Time
📩 Send your resume to [email protected]

Come pour life into the next generation! 🌱

We are so grateful for the continued partnership with Assemblies of God Credit Union and for the generosity of Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines! Each dollar goes to assist our youth overcome barriers and become self sufficient! Thank you again, AGCU and FHLB Member Impact Fund Grant for investing in our youth and community!

AGCU is proud to support I Pour Life with an $80,000 FHLB Member Impact Fund grant to help further their work with at-risk and foster youth.

I Pour Life helps young people recognize their unique strengths, develop essential life skills, and build the relationships and resources they need to successfully transition into adulthood.

In 2026 alone, I Pour Life has served 692 youth across 69 counties — creating opportunities for young people to grow toward confident, self-sufficient futures.

We’re grateful for organizations like I Pour Life that are investing in young people and strengthening our communities. And thank you to our AGCU members — your continued support allows us to build partnerships and invest in work that makes a lasting difference.

This is Banking With a Purpose.

🎉 BACKYARD BASH IS ONE WEEK AWAY! 🎉

We’re officially ONE WEEK out from our annual Backyard Bash, and we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you! 💙

We’re taking a little trip down memory lane with some photos from Backyard Bashes past. 📸✨

What’s YOUR favorite Backyard Bash memory?Maybe it was a game, a great conversation, delicious food, meeting someone new, or simply spending time together. We want to hear it!

We’re so excited to see everyone September 17th from 5–7 PM at the I Pour Life House! 🥳

👉 Don’t forget to RSVP! Link in the comments.

Let the countdown begin! 🎉🏡💙

A huge thank you to Hogan Land Title Company for joining us at Social Capital Club last Tuesday! 💙

Their team spent time with our youth talking about housing security, homeownership, and the importance of understanding the housing process while making topics that can feel intimidating, like mortgages, feel a little more approachable and exciting.

For young people preparing for adulthood, having the knowledge and confidence to navigate housing decisions is a powerful part of building independence. Sometimes, all it takes is someone willing to break down the scary stuff, answer questions, and show youth what's possible.

We’re so grateful to Hogan Land Title Company for investing their time, knowledge, and expertise into our youth and helping us build their social capital one connection at a time.

Your next job could make a lasting difference in a young person’s life.💙

I Pour Life is hiring a Part-Time Chafee Specialist to serve youth in Salem, MO or surrounding communities!

This role is about more than teaching life skills. It’s about showing up, building trust, opening doors, and helping young people believe in what’s possible.

Our Chafee Specialists support youth as they navigate:
🌱 Independent living
💼 Employment & education
🏠 Housing & community resources
🗣️ Self-advocacy
⭐ Confidence & goal setting

If you’re someone who is dependable, compassionate, relationship-focused, and passionate about helping young people succeed, we want to hear from you!

📍 Salem, MO
🕐 Part-Time Position

📩 Send your resume to [email protected] to apply.

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Creating Connections That Open Doors
Recently, one of our LifeCoaches, Parker, learned that a youth she was working with had a strong interest in journalism and dreamed of becoming a news anchor.

Instead of simply encouraging that dream, Parker asked, "Who can we connect you with?”

She reached out and helped arrange an opportunity for the youth to meet with Ethan Forhetz, who brings 25 years of experience in the news industry.

This wasn't just a meeting. It was an opportunity for a young person to sit across from someone who had walked the path they hope to pursue, ask questions, learn from experience, and begin building a connection within a professional field they are passionate about.

That's social capital in action.💙
Social capital is the network of relationships and connections that can provide young people with encouragement, knowledge, opportunities, and access to resources they may not otherwise have.

For youth who have experienced foster care or other significant challenges, those connections can be especially important. It's not enough to tell a young person, “You can do anything.” Sometimes we need to help them find the people who can show them *how*.

Parker saw a dream and helped create a bridge to it. That's what great coaching looks like.

It's listening.
It's asking questions.
It's opening doors.
It's making introductions.
And sometimes, it's helping a young person take the first step toward a future they can see for themselves.

Thank you, Parker, for recognizing a young person's potential and using your network to help expand theirs.

And a special thank you to Ethan Forhetz for taking the time to invest in the next generation and share your experience.

At I Pour Life, we believe relationships can change trajectories. This is what happens when we pour into a young person's interests, dreams, and future.

🎉 You’re Invited to the I Pour Life Backyard Bash! 🎉

Join us for an evening of food, fun, games, and community at the I Pour Life House! 💙

📅 September 17th
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 I Pour Life House

Come hang out, connect with our community, and enjoy a fun evening together! This event is free and open to our youth, families, and community partners.

👉Please RSVP using the QR code or the link provided so we can plan accordingly!

Have questions? Contact Elisa at [email protected]

We can't wait to see you there! 🎉💙