Letter to the Community
Friends:
We celebrated helping 4 of our youth move into housing during October. For April, Destini, Frank and Yuleski, this meant the end of their long-term homelessness. Each has a personal story to tell about being homeless and the challenges of trying to continue their education, find work and get a home... all while being just 18, 19 and 20 years old. But they persevered, took advantage of the support offered at Avenues, and kept focused on their goals. We are proud, happy and very hopeful for them.
The Avenues Board of Directors recently elected Kate Nilan, an attorney with Gray, Plant & Mooty, to a two-year term on the Board. Kate practices corporate law and is with the firm's government affairs practice. She worked for US Senator Amy Klobuchar in her DC office.
As we welcome Kate, we also want to express our tremendous gratitude to Lois Hall, M.D. and Connell Smith, both of whom have stepped off the Board after years of service to Avenues. This organization has benefited from Lois and Connell's wisdom and commitment. Please join me in thanking them!
The Board Governance Committee continues to recruit candidates for the Board, with a focus on increasing the Board's diversity and finding a candidate with strong finance background. For more information, please contact me at 612-522-1690.
Thanks to all of you for your continued support of Avenues. We wish you all the best for the approaching holiday season.
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Deborah Loon
Interim Executive Director
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Click. Contribute. Change Your World.
Secure online giving in Minnesota just got easier and less expensive with the launch of GiveMN.org. You can contribute to Avenues for Homeless Youth through this new service. Read on.
GiveMN is an innovative online resource that will change the way Minnesotans give and help create a stronger nonprofit community for Minnesota. Whether you want to donate money, run an online fundraiser or simply follow your favorite nonprofits, GiveMN offers simple, secure tools to achieve your goals.
As a donor through GiveMN, you can give to any charity in the U.S., set up recurring donations, and even track all your charitable receipts in one place so you're organized for tax time. Plus, GiveMN covers the credit card processing fees. Therefore, your nonprofit of choice will receive 100% of your donation.
On November 17, the first $1 million of donations made to a nonprofit through GiveMN will be matched by the GiveMN partners. Keep an eye out for more information on this.
Visit Avenues for Homeless Youths' page with GiveMN.org.
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How You Can Help
If you would like to donate or have any questions, contact Heather Rist -- heather@avenuesforyouth.org or 612-522-1690.
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| Thanks!
Thank you to our supporters during the month of October!
Organizations -- First Data, Minnesota RollerGirls, Open Door Foundation
Individuals -- Frank Babka, Tim Baldoni, Jason and Rebekah Brandvold, Laura Clements, David Cole, Julie Cornick, Darrell Ellsworth, Timothy O'hara, Jane Tighe, Jacqueline White and Marcus Waterbury
In-Kind Donations -- Brian Gilligan and Steve Pospisil, Hennepic County Library Teen Central
Volunteers -- Kelly Brazil, Michael Liddell Jr., Beth Zemsky, Avenues Board of Directors, GLBT Host Home Advisory Council
INCREDIBOWL 2009
Bowlers/Donors -- Mehraz Alam, Kathi Anderson, Anonymous, Jerry Blankenship, Kristen Bluhm, Robert Brandt and Rich Seaver, Dave and Marie Campbell, Erin Campbell, Michael Cariolano, Nancy Chapman, Nancy Conley, Jenelle Dehmlow, Anthony Deos, Eric Edwardson, Judy Erickson, Bruce E. Franck, Shawn Gensch and Scott Steen, Eric Gilseth, Lynn Guggemos and Kymberli Chase, Lois Hall, MD and Anja Curiskis, Tracy Hanson, Tim Johnson, Michele Kelm-Helgen, Jenna Krings, Mike Lewis, Craig Mattson, Jane McBride and Jennifer Nagel, Jon Munoz, Kate Nilan and Chris Vaughn-Uding, Terry and Natalie Ostrom, Joe Otto, Russ Mohr and Tony Otto, Andy Platto, Greg Rising, Corey Schmitt, Mary Schneider, Emily Shannon, Danielle Whitney, Stephanie Wigg
Sponsors -- Amigo Service Center, Ballet Minnesota, Cooper's Irish Pub, CRAVE, Edina Realty Foundation, Kowalski's Market, Brady Kroll of Edina Realty, LE Technologies, Lyn-Lake Chiropractic, The Loop Restaurant, Minneapolis Marriott Southwest, Northeast Social, Scott Magnuson, Target, The View and Wilde Roast Cafe
Planning Committee -- Erin Campbell, Shawn Gensch, Brian Gilligan, Seema Pothini and Scott Steen
A special thanks to Target for its sponsorship to cover the food costs and the great participant "take-away" bags.
Also, thanks to the Park Tavern Bowling and Entertainment Center for donating bowling time for Incredibowl 2009.
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| 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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News/Updates
IncrediBowl 2009 was a
smashing success!!
The first annual IncrediBowl, held at Park Tavern on October 18, was a huge success. It looked (and sounded) like the bowlers had a great time.
Avenues achieved its goal of raising awareness, funds and friends at this fun event. IncrediBowl brought in just over $4,700 to directly support the programs of Avenues for Homeless Youth.
Thanks to all of the bowlers, sponsors and volunteers of IncrediBowl 2009. Please see the donor and sponsor list below. When you visit one of our sponsors, tell them thanks!
Twice the Gift Store - honor an individual, benefit the community
Avenues for Homeless Youth and the GLBT Host Home Program are featured charities in the Twice the Gift store. Located in the Crystal Court of the IDS Center, the store is open now to January 9.
The store showcases products and gift cards of 50 Twin Cities nonprofit organizations. Avenues for Homeless Youth and the GLBT Host Home Program offer gift cards (or "share cards") shoppers may purchase as a gift in honor of someone for the holidays, birthday, wedding or any celebration. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to Avenues.
What: Twice the Gift Store
Where: IDS Crystal Court, street level
When: Mon - Sat, 10am to 6pm
Open until January 9
Why: Give "Twice the Gift" this season by purchasing a share card gift in honor of someone. 100% of the proceeds go directly to Avenues for Homeless Youth or the GLBT Host Home Program.
Blake high school students organize and host coat drive
In October, the students of Blake High School and the Community Service Board organized and collected winter coats, clothing and apparel for the youth at Avenues.
A few students from Community Service Board delivered the collected items to Avenues, proving the drive was a big success!
Thanks to the students of Blake High School and the Community Service Board for continuously supporting Avenues for Homeless Youth.
From Left: Vasiliki P., Michael C., Laura H., Michael P. (students of the Community Service Board at Blake).
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
- Towels - bath and hand
- Personal care items
- Sweatshirts (all sizes for adults)
- Sweatpants (all sizes for adults)
- Target or clothing store gift cards
- $10 bus passes
View Our Full Wish List | |
