Help, Support, Guide, Mentor & More
Lifting Up STL is a nonprofit dedicated to providing transitional housing and support for individuals and families in the St. Louis community. We recognize that life’s challenges—whether job loss, health struggles, domestic abuse, or personal crises—can leave people without a stable place to call home. Our mission is to offer more than just shelter; we provide guidance, resources, and referrals to vital services that help individuals regain stability and independence.
By offering a hand up, not a handout, we empower residents with the tools they need to secure long-term housing, financial security, and a brighter future. When we lift up one person, we strengthen the entire St. Louis community, fostering lasting change for generations to come.
“Give a man a fish, you’ll feed him for a day.
Teach a man to fish, you’ll feed him for a lifetime.”
With the goal of producing lifelong change, our team will provide guidance, support, and referrals to vital services. Our vision is to help uplift the St. Louis community in any way that we can. That could be helping individuals create lifelong change in their own lives or helping groups of people to make our city a more peaceful and inclusive place to live.
Letter from the President
For as long as I can remember, it has been a lifelong dream of mine to create a non-profit organization that serves the St. Louis community. I’ve been fortunate to have a strong support system throughout my life, thanks to my parents who provided me with invaluable opportunities and taught me important life lessons. They instilled in me values like treating others with kindness, offering a helping hand to those in need, and living life to the fullest. Their unwavering support set high expectations and helped me become the person I am today.
However, I’ve come to realize that not everyone has the same foundation to rely on. That’s where Lifting Up STL comes in. Our mission is to provide that support for individuals and families in the St. Louis community who are struggling to find their way. Through our transitional housing program, we aim to help change the trajectory of lives by guiding people toward self-sufficiency and a brighter future.
Lifting Up STL is committed to offering more than just a place to stay. We will help individuals and families overcome challenges that have left them feeling stuck and uncertain. Our approach is holistic: first, we meet the basic need for stable housing, then we offer various forms of support tailored to each person’s unique situation. Whether it’s providing childcare assistance so someone can pursue educational opportunities, offering resume writing and mock interview sessions to help with job searches, or providing mentorship and guidance, we are here to walk with people every step of the way.
Additionally, our community support program will assist with everyday challenges—offering that extra hand when people need it most.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the power of support. I was blessed to have a strong foundation, and now I want to pay it forward by offering the same kind of encouragement, wisdom, and opportunities that helped me succeed.
I believe, as the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” It is our goal to teach and empower individuals so they can build better futures for themselves and their families.
Together, we can create a stronger, more self-sufficient community here in St. Louis.
Steve C. Young
President and Founder, Lifting Up STL