Letter to the Community
Dear Friends: Every young person has dreams...including homeless youth. The young people who find their way to Avenues for Homeless Youth have dreams. They just need a chance to pursue them. You can help.
Since Avenues opened in 1994, it has provided emergency shelter, short term housing and support services in a safe and nurturing environment to more than 1,900 homeless youth. With the helping hand they get from Avenues, these youth have the opportunity to make a positive transition into young adulthood.
Residents at Avenues face difficult, adult-like challenges in their very young lives. They range in ages from 15 to 21. Most cannot return home. Many have been physically or sexually abused and many have mental health issues. They need the basic support of a home. Avenues provides a bed, three nutritious meals a day, 24 hour care by trained and supportive staff, personal hygiene supplies, clothing, laundry facilities and bus passes.
The youth also need and receive respectful and empowering guidance from our case managers. All who stay at Avenues develop and pursue their own individual goal plans for education, employment, housing, medical and mental health, with support of our case managers and youth advocates.
We invite you to make a personal investment to help the homeless youth at Avenues pursue their dreams. Contribute online by clicking on the "Donate Now" button in this e-newsletter. Or contact Heather Rist at 612-522-1690 or heather@avenuesforyouth.org.
Thank you.
P.S. We are pleased to announce that Avenues has received the Charities Review Council "Meets All Standards" Seal.
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Deborah Loon
Interim Executive Director
Doris Pagelkopf
Chair, Development Committee 
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Highlighted Staff Profile: Aaron Kupcho
What is your position at Avenues? What was your background before Avenues?
"I am a Case Manager at Avenues. Previously, I worked for the Bridge for Runaway Youth for 5 years. I was a youth and family counselor / case manager / street outreach worker."
What is something you want other people to know?
"I'm a graffiti writer and I have been playing basketball for most of my life."
What makes Avenues special?
"That we house homeless and at risk youth in North Minneapolis. That we have staff who are very vested in their work."
What is a goal that you hope to accomplish?
"My work related goal is to get a hip-hop art program up and running. My personal goal is to get a degree in graphic design."
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How You Can Help
Spread the Word About Avenues One of our most valued types of volunteers are simply those who are advocates for homeless youth. The task is simple - inform people! The more people who are aware that homelessness is a problem among our youth, the more supporters these youth will eventually have.
Talk about homeless youth, talk about Avenues for Homeless Youth, research the issue and spread the word.
For more information visit www.avenuesforyouth.org or contact Heather Rist at Avenues. Heather can be reached at 612.522.1690 or via email at heather@avenuesforyouth.org.
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Thanks!
Thank you to our supporters during the month of May!
Organizations -- Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, Edina Realty Foundation, Pediatric Home Services, Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church
Individuals -- Laura & David Clements, Janet Kampf, Joan Kennedy, Amy Score
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About Us
Avenues for Homeless Youth provides emergency shelter, short term housing and support services for homeless youth in a safe and nurturing environment. Through such service, Avenues seeks to help youth achieve their personal goals and find a positive transition into young adulthood.
At its North Minneapolis house, Avenues has 15 shelter beds and 1 emergency bed for youth ages 15 to 21. Youth receive basic needs services, including three meals per day, personal hygiene supplies, clothing and bus passes. While at Avenues, all youth work with our case managers to develop and pursue their individual goals of education, employment, housing, mental health and physical wellness.
Avenues also operates the GLBT Host Home Program, a community-based program that provides safe, supportive homes for homeless gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. For more information on the GLBT Host Home Program contact Raquel (Rocki) Simoes: 612.522.1690, hosthome@avenuesforyouth.org
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News / Updates
Second Annual Open Mic / Poetry Slam and BBQ
When: June 26, 2008 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: Avenues 1708 Oak Park Ave North Minneapolis, MN 55411 Come listen to youth and community members present their literature, song, dance and poetry. Participate in the open mic portion. Bring an open mind, and an open stomach. Food will be served!
Community Events Avenues and the GLBT Host Home Program will have tables at these following events. Stop by and say hi! Juneteenth June 21, Theodore Wirth Park Juneteenth Minnesota Cargill Pride June 23, Radisson Plaza Hotel
OurPrideEvent Twin Cities Pride June 28 & 29, Loring Park Twin Cities Pride Main Page
GLBT Host Home Program Reunion
This meet & greet & play & eat will be for ALL Host Homers - past and present, including old-timers from YouthLink times (hosts, youth, advisory council, community members, case managers, etc.). Please spread the word. For more information contact Rocki Simoes at 612.522.1690.
June 14th, 1pm - 4pm
Sara & Clayton's Home
"We Couldn't Live at Home" Exhibit
May 3 - October 6, 2008
Minnesota History Center
345 Kellogg Blvd. W
Saint Paul, MN
The exhibit showcases the life and stories of youth who have lived at 1708 Oak Park Avenue N. since 1933.
MHS "We Couldn't Live at Home" exhibit
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Immediate Wish List
- Deodorant (Male & Female)
- Tampons
- Towels
- Boxers (L, XL, XXL) & Female Underwear (L, XL, XXL)
- Bus passes/tokens in $10 increments
- Hair Grease
- Conditioner and Shampoo
- Hair binders, picks and brushes
- Computer Desks / Workstations (in good condition) for our Computer Lab
View Our Full Wish List
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