Letter to the Community
Dear Friends: The sudden and severe downturn in the stock market has all our heads reeling and most everyone worried about the future.
I just came from a Hennepin County Board hearing on the proposed 2009 budget for health and human services. Budget cuts seem inevitable for almost all programs.
The issues being faced by all nonprofit social service agencies that rely on public funding and private contributions -- and the people those agencies serve -- are very immediate.
This is the time of year we traditionally give thanks for so much. In spite of these difficult economic times, we know that Avenues is truly blessed. We are blessed by our dedicated staff and board. We are blessed by volunteers who give of their time and expertise. We are blessed by those who contribute to our programs in-kind and financially.
And we are very blessed by the youth who pass through these doors, stay awhile, and impress us with their spirit of survival and determination. These youth build a community while at Avenues. And they build a strong and independent future for themselves.
This is why we all come to work everyday. And why your continued support makes all the difference. Thank you.
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Deborah Loon
Interim Executive Director
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Highlighted Volunteer Profile:
Don Brewer, Computer & Technology Needs
Don Brewer and his partner, Tom Mootz, have been volunteering and donating to Avenues for Homeless Youth for about two years. With Don's background in computers, he has given Avenues priceless support and service. Most recently, Don set up the new youth computer lab (computers donated by Pediatric Home Services). He is now rebuilding and installing upgraded staff computers (donated by Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Cerisi, LLP). We are very grateful for Don's contribution of time and expertise.
How did you find out about Avenues for Homeless Youth?
My partner and I found out about Avenues totally by accident. We were looking for a place to donate some things and possibly put in some volunteer time. After contacting Rocki (GLBT Host Home Manager and Avenues Program Manager), I researched the website and called to set up an appointment with Heather.
What made you want to get involved as a volunteer for Avenues?
After meeting with Heather, I saw a need for someone to volunteer with assisting the staff with technology needs. Since this is my career field, this volunteer position is a perfect fit for me.
What do you do as a technology volunteer?
I assist with the computers, software, networking needs and general questions the staff may have.
What is something you have learned while volunteering at Avenues?
Unlike government or business, non-profits need to make every dollar stretch as far as possible, so the decision making process can take longer.
What is something about yourself that people might like to know?
I enjoy helping others. During these tough economic times, we all need to do our part to assist our fellow man/woman.
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How You Can Help
Holiday "Giving" Spirit
Avenues invites your help in supplying essential supplies and gift items to our youth this holiday season and throughout the year. Your contributions are used as we welcome new youth to Avenues, celebrate birthdays and graduations, and help youth move into their first apartments.
If you, your family, office or organization would like to donate items or make a monetary contribution, contact Heather Rist -- heather@avenuesforyouth.org or 612-522-1690.
See the full wish in the right column of this newsletter.
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Thanks!
Thank you to our supporters during the month of October!
Organizations -- Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Open Door Foundation, Pi Bar
Individuals -- Marion Angelica, Frank Babka, Laura Clements, Joan Kennedy, Shirley Kulevsky, Timothy O'Hara, Andrew & Cheryl Rist, Stephanie Thompsen
In-Kind Donations -- Dalco Enterprise, Don Brewer & Tom Mootz, Law Firm of Terry & Slane, Tony Otto, The Beltmann Group, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLP, and Anne Workman
Volunteers -- Don Brewer, Teresa Chandler, Roxann Collins, Haley Kurtz, Kristi Sakariassen, Anne Workman, Avenues Board of Directors, GLBT Host Home Advisory Council
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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 short-term beds and 1 emergency bed for youth ages 15 to 21. Youth receive basic needs, including three meals per day, personal hygiene supplies, clothing, bus passes and 24 x 7 caring of Avenues staff. 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 Rocki Simoes: 612.522.1690 or hosthome@avenuesforyouth.org.
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Thank you!
We would like to thank Kate Searls, the MN History Center, the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest and everyone involved in producing the "We Couldn't Live at Home" exhibit.
The exhibit showcased the life and stories of youth who have lived at 1708 Oak Park Avenue North since 1933.
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News / Updates Avenues thanks Second Harvest Heartland and all its food donors
Second Harvest Heartland is the Upper Midwest's largest hunger-relief organization. Its mission is to end hunger through community partnership.
Avenues receives a great portion of its food supplies through Second Harvest Heartland. This partnership helps us stretch Avenues' budget for programs.
Thank you, Second Harvest Heartland, for being an essential piece of our community and the fight to end hunger and homelessness in Minnesota.
Second Harvest Heartland
MN Coalition for the Homeless 2008 Conference: Everyone has a hand in ending poverty
This past month, Avenues sent a case manager and a youth to attend the annual conference of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. The youth received a scholarship from the coalition to fund his attendance.
The Avenues youth had the opportunity to speak on the Youth Homelessness panel. He told his personal story and talked about navigating the resources available to homeless youth.
The mission of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless is to generate policies, community support, and local resources for housing and services to end homelessness in Minnesota. We are proud Avenues staff and youth were able to participate in the conference.
For more information about the coalition, visit its website at
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless.
Avenues elects new board members and officers
At its October meeting, the Avenues Board of Directors elected the following individuals for terms on the board:
Eric G. Gilseth is an account executive at Razr Marketing in Minneapolis.
Daren Nyquist is a management analyst for the Dakota County Office of Planning and Analysis.
Danielle E. Whitney is a senior executive and leadership development consultant with the Human Resources Department at Medtronic.
The board also elected the following to serve as officers: Seema Pothini, president; Erin Campbell, vice president, Dave Blanchard, treasurer and Genevieve Zimmerman, secretary.
Also continuing on the board of directors are Brian Gilligan, M. Lois Hall, M.D., Doris Pagelkopf and Connell Smith.
Board members are volunteers and serve two year terms. At monthly meetings, the board sets the strategic direction and policies for Avenues, oversees its financial status and assists with fundraising, marketing and program evaluation.
Thank you, Conee Biggs and M. Lois Hall, M.D.
As we welcome new board members, Avenues expresses a huge thank you to Conee Biggs and Lois Hall.
Conee is stepping down from the board and the vice president position after serving Avenues for more than five years. We have benefited from Conee's expertise in human resources, as well as her compassionate spirit and great wit.
Lois has worked tirelessly for Avenues for five years, two of them as its president. Her commitment and drive have been critical to Avenues through some very challenging years. We are grateful Lois agreed to stay on the Avenues board as past president this year.
GLBT Host Home Program seeks hosts
The GLBT Host Home Program is looking for people interested in becoming hosts. For more information contact, Raquel (Rocki) Simoes, 612-522-1690 or hosthome@avenuesforyouth.org
GLBT Host Home Program
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Immediate Wish List
- Target gift cards (birthdays)
- New twin bedspreads
- New window coverings
- Winter coats (young adults)
- Bus passes/tokens in $10 increments
- Deodorant (male & female)
- Tampons
- Socks (male & female)
- Towels and washcloths
To view our regularly updated wish list, click on the link below to be directed to the "How You Can Help" page on our website and then click on the wish list link on the right. View Our Full Wish List
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