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Youth Bridge Association
YouthBridge began in 1877 as the German General Protestant Orphan's Home founded by a group of German Americans who sought a loving home for children orphaned during the cholera epidemic. It began as a rented house on 13th and Chouteau, and moved and grew many times over the century, adding schooling, recreation, sports, counseling and medical and dental care.
The home always had a loving family environment. Children who grew up there return to serve, and some board members are third generation. In 1917, 10-year-old August Moenkhaus moved into the home and grew up there. He later became successful in business and volunteered at the home. He was elected to the board in 1946. His son, Norman Moenkhaus, is an Executive Director today.
In 2001, the name changed to YouthBridge Association and became the YouthBridge Campus. Today, HavenHouse St. Louis, Good Shepherd School for Children and the YouthBridge Community Foundation reside there. The mission expanded in 2005 to help other children's charities become sustainable organizations, and to help donors set up giving funds.
Six years ago, YouthBridge started the annual YouthBridge Social Enterprise and Innovation Competition, in which nonprofits can compete for seed money; and the free Washington University Skandalaris Seminar Series, where nonprofits can gain the business skills to help make their social enterprise ideas a sustainable reality.
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