Letter to the Community
Dear Friends: On behalf of the youth, board and staff of Avenues for Homeless Youth, I would like to thank you all for the very positive response to our "End of the Year" fundraising letter. We are inspired by the generosity of Avenues' friends, especially in these hard economic times.
Avenues is fortunate to have a community of supporters that continue to stay interested in the youth who pass through its doors and make this place their temporary home. We encourage you all to spread the word about Avenues for Homeless Youth to your friends and families. I have heard many times that it takes a village to raise a child, and it is very clear that this is true at Avenues. Feel free to forward these Avenues e-newsletters on and get people engaged. Every little thing you do helps.
Thank you very much for being part of our community.
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Heather Rist
Development Coordinator
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GLBT Host Home Program
Highlighted Host Profile: Sara Nemecek
Sara and Clayton
How did you find out about the GLBT Host Home Program?
I learned about the GLBT Host Home Program years ago but the program was dormant when I first heard of it. So I was excited when it was started up again at Avenues.
What were some of your hopes and fears?
My desire to join the program was to give back to my community in a way that would let somebody out there know that they were cared about for just being themselves. I really questioned/feared if I was right for the program. I worried if it would be awkward having a stranger move into my home. Now that I have been involved with the program, all of those fears have subsided. It is about connection on a simple human level. I think the program is respected by both the hosts and the youth.
How long have you been living together in the program?
Clayton and I have been living together for about 5 months.
What have you found out about each other that surprised you?
Clayton and I have very similar personalities. I don't think when he first moved in that I realized we were going to get along so well. We quickly started to find out that we could tease each other about everything. Just recently Clayton came home with a bumper sticker that he gave me as a present. It says "I spend 50% of my life looking for my keys."
What would you tell people about being part of this program?
This is a great opportunity to really give back to the community. Now I think about the empty space in my house before Clayton moved in and it seemed to be such a waste. It is all about being there for the youth. Not about saying the right thing or being the perfect person. It's about being human.
For more information on the GLBT Host Home Program please visit www.avenuesforyouth.org/HostHome.html
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How You Can Help
Avenues Wish List
Avenues for Homeless Youth provides everything from hygiene supplies and towels to bus tokens and clothes/ under garments for our youth. Many of these items are so easily taken for granted but can make a huge difference in the comfort and success to one of our youth at Avenues.
One of the best ways to get involved or help at Avenues is to donate new items from our wish list. Many individuals and groups make donating from the wish list an event by holding a drive at school or church. There are many ways to support the youth at Avenues and donating needed items from the wish list is a great way to start.
Our immediate and full wish list is provided in the right column in this e-newsletter.
For questions about donations or to schedule a drop-off time please contact Heather Rist, Development Coordinator. 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 June!
Organizations -- Robins, Kaplan, Milller & Ciresi Foundation, Sieben Polk Law Firm and The Partners Fund
Individuals -- Kaye Abel, John Allison & Rebecca Picard, James & Virginia Anderson, Leslie Baken, MD. & Michael Schock, Michelle Basham & Michael Franz, Neville, MD. & Michelle Basman, Michael, MD. & Carol Bromer, Jancis Curiskis and Sarah Weiner, Barbara Daughter, Bernie Dusich, Peter & Martha Eckerline, Mary Everson, David & Sue Finstrom, Steve & Michelle Flynn, William & Laurie Forster, Bruce Franck (HHP), Brian Gilligan & Steve Pospisil, Lois Hall, MD. & Anja Curiskis, Sarah & Wayne Johnson, Nancy Kelly (HHP), Joan Kennedy, William & Mary Joy Kinney, Natalie Levin, Eric Lybeck (HHP), Nate & Laura Maring, Timothy & Christine McGinty, Ross Neely (HHP), Barbara Ratner, Ethel Reinharz, Dennis Scherber & Winnie White-Scherber, David Segal and Josh Tuchscherer
"Gifts In Honor Of" -- Anja Curiskis, Brian Gilligan & Steve Pospisil, Susan Shorter Volunteers/In-Kind Donations -- Don Brewer & Tom Mootz, Janet Kampf, Kelly Jeanetta & Dan Willenbring, Heidi Maar, Pedatric Home Services, The Edina Realty Marketing Team and Anne Workman
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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
New Youth Computer Lab at Avenues
We are very excited to announce the recent addition of a youth computer lab at Avenues. Pediatric Home Services has donated six new Dell computers for the lab, giving the youth easier access to housing resources, education opportunities and employment. This is a big stepping stone as the youth pursue their goals and dreams. Thanks to Pediatric Home Services for the computers and to Don Brewer for investing his time and skills to set up the lab.
Edina Realty Marketing Team "gets their hands dirty" with a day of landscaping at Avenues 
Avenues for Homeless Youth was not only lucky enough to receive a grant from Edina Realty Foundation (Edina location) for a landscaping makeover, but also to have the Edina Realty Marketing Team come to Avenues for a whole day of landscaping. The day consisted of everything from pulling weeds and creating new garden areas to eating pizza with the youth and enjoying the beautiful day.
On behalf of everyone at Avenues for Homeless Youth, we would like to thank all of the enthusiastic landscaping volunteers from Edina Realty!  GLBT Host Home Program Informational Sessions
If you or someone you know wants to learn more about the GLBT Host Home Program and being a host, plan to attend one of seven informational sessions during July and August. Go to the GLBT Host Home Page for more information on these sessions and to download a brochure.
"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 North since 1933.
MHS "We Couldn't Live at Home" exhibit
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Immediate Wish List
- Large File Cabinets
- House Fans
- 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
- Air conditioners
- Volleyball net
View Our Full Wish List
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