Letter to the Community
Dear Friends:
Every month, it seems we have a lot to share with you about Avenues. You'll find a few highlights below - news about our expanded Independent Living Skills program, results of the Valentines project, a report on 2009 youth outcomes and a very special Help Wanted Ad.
Thanks for your continued support of Avenues and all the youth we serve. If you ever have questions or comments, I hope you'll call me.
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Deborah Loon
Interim Executive Director
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Help Wanted
Volunteer computer network specialist wanted! Avenues is looking to network our staff computer system and needs an experienced computer networker for the job.
There are two areas in which we need assistance: - Wiring our facility
- Connecting equipment to the network
If you can help, contact Peter Fischer-- peter@avenuesforyouth.org or 612-522-1690.
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Independent Living Skills Program at Avenues.
Avenues recently expanded its Independent Living Skills (ILS) program and is now offering youth four training and coaching sessions each week. The program is led by one of our case managers, Cassie Garrett. She is receiving volunteer assistance and advice from Meghan Berg, who previously taught ILS at Freeport West.
Independent Living Skills are all those skills we need to live independently, including:
- budgeting and personal finance
- planning and preparing nutritious meals
- maintaining a clean and safe home
- caring for oneself
- communication and social relationships
- career planning
- work and study skills.
These skills don't come to us automatically! Everyone must learn them as they develop and transition to adulthood. So, while our case managers are helping youth stabilize, access health care, get their identifications, further their education, look for a job and find housing... we are also supporting the youth in becoming more self-sufficient and better able to take care of themselves when they leave Avenues. The ILS program includes four afternoon sessions each week on rotating topics. The sessions are interactive and designed to meet each individual client's needs. The youth begin the program by taking the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment, an online tool developed by the Casey Family Program.
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Welcome New Board Member
Avenues welcomes Nicque Mabrey-Schaff to its board of directors. Nicque was elected to the board at its February meeting. She is a legislative assistant to Senator Linda Higgins, chair of the Minnesota Senate Public Safety Budget Division, Finance Committee.
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| Thanks!
Thank you to our supporters during the month of February!
Organizations -- First Data Corporation, Jungle Red Salon - Spa and Gallery, Target
Individuals -- Tim Baldoni, Michelle Basman, Frank Bennett, Laura Clements, Jacqueline White and Marcus Waterbury
In-Kind Donations -- Azul 7, Holly and Mark Bilderback, Nicholas Clegg, Marcus Johnson, Kelly Kist, Justin Reis Intern -- Caroline Doescher
Volunteers -- Meghan Berg, Kelly Brazil, Chris Cortilet, Eric Gilseth, Katie Hamilton, Lisa Helminiak, Jenna Krings, Michael Liddell Jr., Emily Shannon, Felicia Washington Sy, Beth Zemsky, Avenues Board of Directors, GLBT Host Home Advisory Council
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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
Valentine Site Results
Your Valentines helped raise over $10,000 and many new friends for the programs of Avenues for Homeless Youth. We truly appreciate everyone who took the time to spread the word on this exciting new way to raise homeless youth awareness and funds for Avenues.
A special thanks to Target for sponsoring the site and to Azul 7 for the creation and development.2009 Outcomes - Youth Housed
One of the outcomes we track to evaluate our work is where the youth go for housing when they leave Avenues. What percentage of our youth move from homelessness to having a home after they have lived at Avenues? While this is just one of many important indicators for our youth, safe housing certainly is a priority.
Over 2009, a total of 63 youth exited Avenues. This number only includes youth who live at Avenues and receive our supportive services; it does not include the youth who access our overnight emergency bed. It also does not include the youth who were still living at Avenues as of end of the year.
Of the 63 who left during 2009, 22% left to live with a family member and 54% moved into housing (an apartment or dorm, another transitional living program or a permanent supportive housing program).
This means 24% of the youth left before they completed the program and moved into an unstable or unknown living situation. When this happens, youth are told they may return to Avenues after completing a re-entry meeting. Often, a youth who leaves before completing Avenues' program will return and re-enter the program at a later date.
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 hygiene supply items
- Target or clothing store gift cards
- $10 bus passes
View Our Full Wish List | |
