Letter to the Community
Dear Friends: Every day at Avenues for Homeless Youth, we celebrate the work our youth are doing while they live here. They are survivors of abuse, neglect, and poverty who yearn for stability and possibilities. While living in our safe and stable home, our youth are finishing school, finding work, getting health care and searching for housing. They are learning how to live in community, navigate relationships, take care of themselves and make wise choices.
Like the youth we serve, Avenues for Homeless Youth has survived some tough times as an organization.
Today, our staff and board are strong and dedicated. Our services are working and producing tangible, measurable results.
Yet, while we want to celebrate the stability Avenues has achieved, we can't. The state of the national economy is a threat and has us worried.
Your support matters now because, as you know, during economic crises the poorest and most vulnerable among us are the hardest hit. The need for services like ours only goes up. Without our services, more homeless youth would be on the streets during the coldest season. In the long run, they are also more likely to become homeless adults.
Every gift to Avenues makes a significant difference. Please make a tax-deductible gift to Avenues now. New and increased gifts will be doubled by a matching grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation.
You can do more by helping us broaden Avenues' base of support. Tell others about Avenues and ask them to make a gift. Does your congregation, work place or civic group make charitable contributions? Does your employer match personal contributions (65% of employers do)? At your celebrations this year, turn your event into a fundraiser for Avenues. Let us know if you would like someone from Avenues to speak to your group.
Thank you for your valuable and ongoing support. May you and your loved ones have a safe, warm and happy holiday season.
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Deborah Loon Seema G. Pothini
Interim Executive Director Board President
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How You Can Help
The Holidays Are Upon Us
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 November!
Organizations -- Otto Bremer Foundation
Individuals -- Mrs. Coleman Bloomfield, Diane Bloomfield, Joan Kennedy In Honor Of -- Daniel Hemingway
In-Kind Donations -- Don Brewer and Tom Mootz, Karen Kingsley, Kelly Monahan, Razr Marketing, Mary Shellum, Temple Bet Shalom
Volunteers -- Michelle Basman, Don Brewer, Roxann Collin, Jenna Krings
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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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News / Updates 'Treasures for Teens' event benefiting Avenues
The 7th annual Treasures for Teens Holiday Event benefiting Avenues for Homeless Youth will be held at the Jungle Red Salon-Spa-Gallery on Saturday, December 13th from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $5.
- Bid on original artwork at the silent auction, including artwork by emerging young artists.
- Win gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants, as well as other prizes.
- Enjoy Jungle Red's tradition of providing local entertainment, music and holiday cheer, including a special appearance by B96's Miss Shannan!
- Savor hors d'oeuvres catered by Rock Bottom Brewery and cocktail tastings by Hypnotiq.
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
- Winter coats (young adult)
- Winter apparel (hats, gloves)
- Target gift cards (birthdays)
- Laundry baskets and hampers
- New twin bedspreads
- New window coverings
- Bus passes/tokens in $10 increments
- 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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