St Louis MO - The Missouri Department of Economic Development said Thursday that two St. Louis organizations that offer various services to Missouri children have been approved for Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) tax credits.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, St Louis MO, has been approved for $250,000 in YOP tax credits. The group will use the tax credits to provide one-to-one mentoring services to at-risk youth in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and Cape Girardeau County.

Life Skills, St Louis MO, has been approved for $59,241 in YOP tax credits. It will use the tax credits for its Youth Employment Services program, which prepares at-risk teens with disabilities to find and keep competitive employment after graduation.

The Youth Opportunities Program, administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, provides tax credits to organizations administering positive youth development or crime prevention projects.

About DED
The Department of Economic Development will achieve its vision by stimulating and supporting economic security, opportunity, growth and a high quality of life in Missouri communities.

The Department of Economic Development administers a wide array of programs designed to enhance Missouri's economy in the 21st Century. It is composed of agencies that execute statutory requirements and department policy in the areas of community, economic and workforce development,.