Letter to the Community
Dear Friends: We are blessed because of your connection to Avenues. Thank you so much for your contributions, for hosting drives and collections, and for having parties to benefit the youth of Avenues for Homeless Youth.
Because of you, our circle of support has widened and our ability to weather this recession has strengthened. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Please continue to tell others about the work we do to support homeless youth. Your ongoing support is essential. As we brace for government funding cuts we must broaden our network of friends.
From the staff and board at Avenues, our best wishes to you for 2009. May you have safety, security, peace and happiness this year.
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Deborah Loon
Interim Executive Director
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Highlighted Youth Profile: Grace
Grace is 19 years old and currently holds two jobs. Grace displays leadership qualities on a daily basis and is always looking to get involved with her community.
What comes to mind when you think about Avenues?
Avenues is a shelter and also a great program that gives youth a chance to work with case managers. Youth can also stay while they work on their transitional housing. The program itself has a great reputation and outstanding staff.
What are some things you are working on right now while staying at Avenues?
While I've been here at Avenues, I've worked on applying to the Lindquist transitional living program. I've built better relationships outside my usual life/relationships. And I've built relationships with other youth.
Name some things you are proud of or happy about?
I am blessed to be at Avenues. Here I know that there are programs and staff willing to help youth that are homeless. I'm blessed and happy about Avenues programs.
What is a favorite quote of yours?
The quote that I have established for myself is "Don't let an opportunity go to a passing." That can be for anything in life.
In five years, where do you see yourself?
Very successful. Working for a great company. Being able to travel. I want to live in California or Florida. And most importantly, I want happiness.
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Thanks!
Thank you to our supporters during the month of December!
Organizations -- Aegis Foundation, Ascension Episcopal Church, Edina Community Lutheran Church, Edina Realty Foundation, First Data Foundation, Glen Cary Lutheran Church, John Larsen Foundation, Jungle Red Salon Spa and Gallery, Office of Planning and Analysis for Dakota County, The McKnight Foundation, Minnesota Association for Justice, Minnesota Roller Girls, The Nash Foundation, The Otto Bremer Foundation, Pediatric Home Services, Sauer Children's Renew Foundation, Trinity Lutheran Church and Women for Justice.
Individuals (general)-- Kaye Abel, John Allison and Rebecca Picard, Mary Ames, Donald and Karen Anderson, Anonymus, Gordon Apple and Susan Thorton, Michelle Basham, Michelle and Neville Basman, Conee Biggs and Carol Meeter, Steven and Nancy Birth, Dave and Yovonne Blanchard, Mrs. Coleman Bloomfield, Diane Bloomfield, Robert Brandt, Jason and Rebekah Brandvold, Char Brooker and Gene Mammenga, Erin Campbell, Edward and Roberta Chargo, Keith A. Cheetham, Lauralisa and David Clements, Nan Corliss.
Juris and Elizabeth Curiskis, Peter and Martha Eckerline, Robert and Frances Edelson, Julie Eidem, Laura Eiklenborg, John Farrell, Dave and Sue Finstrom, Laura Frikhart, Barbara Gilliand, Robert and Katherine Goodale, Nickolaus and Amanda Graning, Diane Greenberger, Erik Gronberg, Travis and Naomi Hagen, Lois Hall, M.D. and Anja Curiskis, Marie and Joseph Hauser, Tom and Pam Hockenberry, Donna Hodgens, Kaitlin Johnson, Raleigh and Jeffrey Karatz, Joan Kennedy, William and Mary Joy Kinney, Judith E. Krow and David F. Macmillian, Mary Kruger, Maury and Julie Landsman, James Leith, Deborah Loon, Rolland and Ella Loon, Madeleine and Phillip Lowry.
Sheila Maloney and Samuel Finkelstein, Benjamin and Debra Miller, Erica Miller and Christina Giese, Molly Morton and Barbara Schubring, James Nepp, Doris Pagelkopf, Phillip A. Reames, Andrew and Cheryl Rist, Deborah Roesler, Wendy and Bob Rubinyi, Linda Schloff, Howard and Mary Schneider, Patrick Schreier, Barbara Schubring and Molly Morton, Amy Score, Gale Shamblott, Tonia Shupien, Allen and Joan Silver, William Stark, Malea Stenzel, Kerwin C. Stenzel, Craig Stewart, Byron Thayer, Stephanie Thompsen, Sharon Vandyck and Richard Kelber, Danielle Whitney, Winnie White-Scherber and Dennis Scherber, Susan Wingert, Maida Zimmerman.
Individuals (GLBT Host Home Program) -- Kent Allin, Cathryn Beil and Gregg Lind, Eve Borenstein and Candace Falk, Mark Graham Clark, Doreen Elizabeth Dazenski, Brian Elliot, Ron Elwood, Bonnie Lou Esposito, Brian Forney and Jack Thompson, James Gerlich, Roy Hallanger, Jeremy Hanson, Greg Hewett, Nancy Kelly, Thomas Knabel, M.D., Owen Marciano, James Quinn, Kevin Overson, David Piper, Patricia Svendsen, Michael Sward, Jonathan Welch, Don Yager and Richard Groger. In 'Honor Of' -- Chris Angel, Conee Biggs, Robert Brandt, Janci Curiskis & Sara Weiner, Daniel Hemmingway, Deborah Loon, Shrey Pothini, Anne and Charles Workman.
Events Benefiting Avenues -- Couples Club of Bet Shalom Congregation 'Hanukkah Party', MN Roller Girls December Game, Dinkytowner Art Gallery Event hosted by Hugo Wong Cardona, Jungle Red Salon, Spa and Gallery 'Treasures for Teens' event, Robert Brandt birthday party, Shrey Pothini birthday party.
In-Kind Donations -- Cathryn Beil, Robert Brandt, Glen Cary Lutheran Church and youth groups, Johnson Printing, Bill Komp, Susan Lamb, Minnesota Association for Justice and The Women for Justice, Shrey Pothini, Sheila Rajenderen, Teresa Ranallo (Ranallo family), RAZR Marketing, Rock Bottom Brewery, Raquel (Rocki) Simoes, Lisa Valley, Deb and Mike Wilson, Anne and Charles Workman. Volunteers -- Michelle Basman, Jenna Krings.
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News / Updates Womens Empowerment Youth Group at Avenues
A group of young women at Avenues formed a Womens Empowerment Youth Group with the mission of empowering each other to strive and succeed in life.
The group also identifies closely with its selected name "Sisters of the World United." They gave a presentation to Avenues staff recently and shared the group's mission and plans.
Sisters of the World United has four objectives: (1) be a support group. (2) embrace self confidence and independence. (3) embrace each other's differences and use them to the group's advantage. (4) believe in themselves.
"We, the Sisters of the World United, are bold, beautiful, confident, successful and strive everyday to become independent women."
Avenues youth receive gifts during the holidays
Every year at holiday time, Avenues is fortunate to have support from individuals and groups who donate for youth holiday gifts. With these donations, we put together gift bags for each youth based on what they need and/or want.
This year, Avenues received outstanding support. Our youth were glowing after opening their gifts, which included: gift certificates, bus cards, new clothing, personal care items, towels, treats, hand made fleece blankets and individual gift items.
Thank you to everyone who thought about our youth this holiday season. Not one donation goes unnoticed! The holidays at Avenues were especially happy 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 window coverings
- Bus passes/tokens in $10 increments
- Pool cues
- Basketball hoop
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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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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