As organizations are putting in their applications to be this year’s winner of First State Community Bank’s Community KickStart award, last year’s winner is still enjoying the rewards.Youth in Need won the $2,500 prize and also raised public awareness about its efforts.“We truly felt so blessed to have won the contest and our families were grateful for the opportunities it has been able to provide for both them and the children throughout the last year,” said Amy Marit, county director for Youth In Need’s Head Start program.“We were able to provide many new family engagement opportunities to our families and the community.”Youth In Need provides a number of programs for children, youth and family members including educational, development, counseling and residential treatment initiatives.Headquartered in St. Charles, the agency covers a six-county area and serves more than 20,000 annually.Warren County Youth In Need is dedicated to building strong connections within families as well as within the community. The local agency operates a Head Start program and partners with the Warren County R-III School District to better prepare preschool students.It also operates the Marvin Marks Child Development Center at 1022 Steinhagen Road in Warrenton.Marit said the KickStart award has been used to bring families together to engage and learn at community events.“Our families voted on a spring family field trip and we were able to have a wonderful family night at Big Joel’s Safari,” she said. “We had a wonderful turnout, and the children loved learning about the animals, feeding them, getting their face painted and eating dinner.”Youth in Need also hosted its annual movie night, a free event for the whole community, in June. Next up is its annual Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Warrior Ridge Elementary School.“This event is free for the whole community and is a great way for us to give back,” Marit said. “Families can participate in the trunk or treat, games, activities, face painting and cake walk. Everything is free and we provide lots of non-candy items.”Youth in Need also enhanced the outside educational classroom to provide more hands-on, engaging activities for children at Marvin Marks Child Development Center.Marit said since last year’s contest, the organization has been able to reach more members in the community and has seen participation in family and community engagement grow.Currently, Youth In Need is taking applications for the 2016-2017 program year. For more information, call 636-456-5990 or visit  www.facebook.com/WarrenCountyHeadStart.Youth in Need