About

History

Local Focus. Significant Impact.

OUR MISSION:

I Pour Life is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist at-risk or foster care youth through its LifeStrengths positive youth development program by helping youth identify and apply their unique strengths in order to experience a successful, self-sufficient transition into adulthood.

OUR VISION:

I Pour Life’s vision is to ensure every youth served experiences positive growth and development through the introduction of life skills and build the social capital necessary to successfully transition into adulthood.

In 2010, Julie Higgins founded I Pour Life to empower and equip individuals with social and economic disadvantages to become self-sufficient. I Pour Life’s first initiatives were in El Salvador and Kore, Ethiopia where it launched sustainable development and empowerment programs for youth at risk of getting lost in gang and drug activity and young mothers simply trying to survive.   

In 2015, I Pour Life conducted a community assessment with Missouri State University and realized that at-risk youth were underserved in the community. Youth were often able to have their immediate needs met, but few were investing in the development of these youth to help them become independent and self-sufficient adults. Out of this assessment, LifeStrengths, I Pour Life’s positive youth development program, was born. 

As LifeStrengths grew, the need for a skilled coaching staff become more apparent. The program moved from utilizing community-based, volunteer coaches to staffing direct service LifeCoaches.  LifeCoaches work one-on-one with each LifeStrengths youth, coaching them through the barriers and challenges uniquely faced by at-risk and foster care youth.

Today, I Pour Life operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit focusing on building essential life skills and social capital in Missouri.  LifeStrengths has now grown into a nationally recognized innovative solution for helping hundreds of at-risk youth leave negative labels behind and successfully transition into adulthood. 

WHAT WE BELIEVE:

I Pour Life believes that if we “teach with our life,” anyone can thrive. As an organization, board, and staff, we are founded and sustained by the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus did life with all people, regardless of their background or experiences. We believe that by following Christ’s example of having unconditional love and hope for all individuals, we will create a relationship of trust allowing those we serve to experience real growth and development through our LifeStrengths one-on-one coaching method. We believe that our life and our work serve as an example and, as an example, our interactions and love for all people will be blessed and multiplied.

I Pour Life embraces equality, diversity, and inclusiveness. We believe these pillars of excellence are crucial to healthy people and healthy communities. I Pour Life serves all individuals regardless of their ability, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or social economic class.