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KUTO Factoids
- Founded in 1986 following a one day conference attended by educators, parents, psychologists and law enforcers to explore St. Louis area youth needs and desires
- Executive committee recruited and agency incorporated in 1987
- Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors; three Directors are teens representing the different agency programs
- Provides services that encourage young people to find the strength and hope to cope positively with the pressures and stressors in their lives
- Only telephone hotline in the mid-west staffed entirely by trained teen volunteers
- KUTO Crisis Worker volunteers help over 1,200 callers every year
- Hundreds of students have completed training to become Peer Helpers
- More than 35,000 yellow ribbons and KUTO wallet cards are distributed during Yellow Ribbon Project each year
- Partners with mental health organizations and service providers to reduce the stigma associated with depression, brain illness and suicide
- Offers support for teens that are struggling with grief, guilt, anger and sadness following a suicidal loss
- Collaborates to offer creative initiates to advance peer mentoring, prevention advocacy and student led health & wellness projects like Winning with Wellness, the Yellow Ribbon Project, Saving our Students, and Spotlight Theater T.E.E.N
Year by year our prevention efforts and partnerships have grown:
| 2005 | ~ | partnered with area schools to launch Saving our Students, a student initiated peer facilitated depression education project |
| 2004 | ~ | partnered with The Hopeline Network to launch the Youth America Hotline, the only nationwide toll-free hotline staffed entirely by teen volunteers! 1.877.YOUTHLINE (968-8454) |
| 2003 | ~ | awarded Crisis Center certification by American Association of Suicidology |
| 2002 | ~ | collaborated with Life Crisis Service, Missouri Department of Mental Health, NAMI St. Louis and the National Organization of People of Color Against Suicide to develop and provide suicide prevention services and educational programs to the community |
| 2001 | ~ | adopted Winning With Wellness, student led health & wellness peer Mentoring project |
| 2000 | ~ | added full time Program Director to staff |
| 1999 | ~ | joined the United Way of Greater St. Louis |
| 1998 | ~ | initiated Yellow Ribbon Project, school based suicide awareness project |
| 1997 | ~ | researched & drafted Survivability, peer survivors of suicide program |
| 1996 | ~ | graduated 1st KUTO trained Crisis Worker class |
| 1995 | ~ | moved the Helpline to 2718 S. Brentwood |
| 1994 | ~ | joined Combined Health Appeal of Greater St. Louis |
| 1993 | ~ | joined American Association of Suicidology |
| 1992 | ~ | crafted Peer Helper Program and Volunteer Training |
| 1991 | ~ | hired a full-time Executive Director |
| 1990 | ~ | initiated SafeRides, a 'no questions asked' get home safe program with area hospitals and the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse |
| 1989 | ~ | agency grows under the watchful eye of Judy Crowell, Billy's mother, from her business office |
| 1988 | ~ | KUTO Crisis Helpline opens in partnership with Life Crisis Service |
| 1987 | ~ | agency founded by family and friends following the suicide of Billy Crowell |
- Awards Scholarships to graduating senior volunteers who plan to pursue a 'helping field' in college or advanced education
- Member of the American Association of Suicidology
- Member of the National Peer Helper Association, the Light for Life Foundation, the Mental Health Association and the United Way of Greater St. Louis
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