Request to the Community
As we near the end of Avenues' fiscal year, we reflect on our accomplishments, the work that remains... and the many homeless youth who still need our support and services. We ask for your help.
Every year, Avenues serves about 150 youth ages 16 to 21 in our Shelter and Transitional Housing Program, and our GLBT Host Home Program. Our staff and board have been focused on continued improvements to our services, including:
- More on-site time by our nurse practitioners
- Adding on-site mental health therapy services
- Monthly health education and sexual health forums
- Working to adapt the Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed care to Avenues
- A youth computer lab
- Replacing very worn furniture
- Recruiting and training more host homes.
Youth outcomes are improving. More of our youth are finding safety and stability at Avenues, and they are staying longer. They are getting back into or staying in school, pursuing post-secondary education, finding and keeping jobs, and securing permanent housing.
In this challenging economy, Avenues has made such progress because of support from you, our friends and community. Thank you for believing in us and supporting our youth.
Looking to the immediate future, our objectives are to maintain our current level of services, have a break-even budget for the next fiscal year and increase bed capacity by 33% in our shelter and transitional housing program by converting office space to bedrooms.
Last year at this time, Avenues had been running deficit budgets and had to use its line of credit. We are pleased to report that, while improving services, we also have stabilized our finances and paid off our line of credit.
But Avenues does not have a cash reserve. It will not be able to weather a protracted recession without strong community support.
Your financial support of Avenues' programs for homeless youth matters. Your help in spreading the word about youth homelessness and our programs matters. Everything you do for Avenues goes directly to help homeless youth make a positive transition into young adulthood.
Thank you.
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Deborah Loon
Interim Executive Director
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Factors leading to youth homelessness
When doing community outreach, one of the first questions we get asked is "Why are these youth homeless?" There are many contributors to youth homelessness. For most youth, there is not just one factor, but several. What our youth share with us follows:
- Neglect and / or physical or sexual abuse
- Use of drugs or alcohol in the home
- Violence in the home
- Home was too small for everyone to live there, multiple families sharing space due to job or housing loss
- Youth's drug or alcohol use
- Family loss of housing, youth too old for family shelter
- A parent or guardian with mental health problems
- Youth has aged out of foster care without a permanent place to live
- Serious conflict with someone in the home
- Criminal activities by someone in home
- Became pregnant or made someone else pregnant
- Kicked out of the house due to sexual orientation or gender identity
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| How You Can Help
'Forward' on the word
If you are driven by the mission of Avenues please spread the word. It as simple as forwarding on this e-newsletter to friends, family or coworkers. You can inspire others simply by letting them know about the issues surrounding youth homelessness.
To add contacts to Avenues e-newsletter list, email heather@avenuesforyouth.org.
If you have more questions about Avenues or how you can get involved, contact Heather Rist -- heather@avenuesforyouth.org or 612-522-1690.
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| Thanks!
Thank you to our supporters during the month of April!
Organizations -- Edina Realty Foundation, The First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Luther I. Replogle Foundation, Quota International of Minneapolis
Individuals -- Tim Baldoni, Michelle Basman, Laura Clements, Darrell Ellsworth, Kaitlin Johnson, Luisha Laureano, Rolland and Ella Loon, Timothy O'Hara, Steven Peterson, Janine Savina, Richard Seaver, Catherine Skinner, Stephanie Thompsen, Jane Tighe
In-Kind Donations -- Elizabeth Bacha, Hidenori & Cathy Fukui, Brent Harapat, Seema Pothini
In Memory of Dr. Charles Workman -- Bonnie Blake, Kathy Brelje, Steven & Judy Emmings, Teresa Fariss McClain, JoMarie Morris, Julia Peterson, Kathleen Flynn Peterson, Janine Savina, Steven Schumeister, Thomas Sinas, C.L. Wiehle & R.J. Teresi, Jeffrey Winston, Anne Workman, Anonymous
Volunteers -- Avenues Board of Directors, GLBT Host Home Advisory Board, GLBT Host Home Program Hosts
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News/Updates
Homeless youth in
the media
On April 19, an article was published in the Twin Cities Daily Planet on runaway and homeless youth in Minnesota. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act is mentioned, as well as Avenues for Homeless Youth and other youth serving agencies. Grace, a former resident at Avenues, talks about the importance of the services and support she received while at Avenues and why programs like this need to exist.
TC Daily Planet - Services for Runaway, Homeless Youth in Minnesota Threatened.
In March 2009, TIME Magazine published an article titled Keeping Homeless Kids in School. Minneapolis, MN was spotlighted in the opening sentence for 1 in 10 of our children in the public school system being homeless.
TIME Magazine - Keeping Homeless Kids in School
Avenues welcomes new board members
The Avenues Board of Directors recently elected the following individuals to serve on the board:
Robert J. Brandt, an Ombudsperson / Vice-Provost, Walden University
Shawn Gensch, Vice President of Marketing, Target
Michael Liddell, Jr., Help Desk Lead, Escape Key
Continuing on the Avenues Board of Directors are - Seema Pothini (president), Erin Campbell (vice president), Brian Gilligan (secretary), Dave Blanchard (treasurer), M. Lois Hall, MD (past president), Eric Gilseth, Daren Nyquist, Doris Pagelkopf, Connell Smith and Danielle Whitney.
Avenues is on Facebook
Join Avenues group on Facebook! Help spread the word and create new advocates for homeless youth.
www.facebook.com
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
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Immediate Wish List
- Backpacks
- Personal care items
- New Tupperwear (or similar)
- Target gift cards
- $10 bus passes
View Our Full Wish List |
| About Us
Avenues for Homeless Youth provides shelter and transitional housing with 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 16 to 21. Youth receive basic needs and 24 x 7 caring of Avenues staff. While at Avenues, all youth work with case managers to 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.
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