Letter to the Community
Dear Friends:
When you don't have a home, you really can't think about anything else.
When homeless youth arrive at Avenues, they just need a safe place to stay. They've been on the street, couch-hopping or riding the bus at night. They need relief from looking for a place to sleep every night. And they just want a place to keep their stuff.
So we take care of that first. When homeless youth arrive at Avenues, we welcome them, give them bedding, and introduce them to their roommates and other youth in the house. We give them a little bit of time to settle in.
Then, one of our staff sits down with the youth for 1 to 2 hours to do the "intake." This is when we start to get to know each youth. We learn about where they came from, where they slept the night before, whether they are in school, whether they have health concerns and so on.
Within a couple days, the youth has initial meetings with a case manager, a nurse and a mental health therapist. At this point, the youth is starting to realize Avenues is much more than just a safe place to sleep. They start to see that Avenues is filled with adults who will care about, guide them and help them make connections...and who they can trust. This doesn't happen right away, but we are patient.
Each homeless youth's story is unique. But they all have something in common - they want safety, support and opportunity.
As you consider the independence you enjoy and the opportunities you have had, think about what it took in your life to make that possible.
- Did you have caring adults you just knew you could trust?
- Where you connected to the larger community?
- Were you given education and employment opportunities where you could try, succeed and learn?
- Did at least one person instill in you the belief that you were important, that you matter?
- Were you told you could pursue your dreams? Did you have caring adults help you sustain those dreams?
At Avenues, our highest priority is to offer homeless youth the opportunity to pursue and achieve their goals, starting with a safe place to live and support from caring, trusting adults. We give that opportunity to about 150 homeless youth every year. To learn more about our programs, visit our website.
You can help. Make a contribution to Avenues for Homeless Youth. Your contribution will directly support every youth we care about, advocate for and believe in.
Your contribution will give homeless youth the opportunity to become independent young adults.
If you would like more information, please contact me anytime at 612-522-1690 or deb@avenuesforyouth.org. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
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Deborah Loon
Interim Executive Director
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| Thanks!
Thank you to our supporters during the month of May!
Organizations -- Macalester College (student-led fundraising campaign), Plymouth Congregational Church - Minneapolis
Individuals -- Anonymous, Tim Baldoni, Michelle and Neville Basman, Kate Blackwood, Darrell Ellsworth, Lois Hall and Anja Curiskis, Ruth Hardimon, Daniel Homolka and Becky Lokken, Lauren Martens, Erin McClure-Helbling, Timothy and Roberta O'Hara, Jane Tighe, Dan Willenbring and Kelly Jeanetta, Edgar Zarate
In-Kind Donations -- Azul 7, LaReina Dominic, Minnesota Association for Justice, RAZR Marketing, University of Minnesota - PR Student Group
Volunteers -- Kelly Brazil, Ryan Li Dahlstrom, Sara Olsen, Sarah Schwarts and Lona Dallessandro, Lisa Valley @ RAZR Marketing, 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
Wilder Research finds 57% more homeless young adults ages 18-21
Every three years, since 1991, Wilder Research has conducted a statewide survey of people without permanent housing. The findings of the October 2009 statewide survey were released May 25.
Youth homelessness is up significantly:
- Since 2006, the numbers of homeless young adults ages 18 - 21 has increased by 57%.
- Of the 9,654 people counted in the study, children and youth make up nearly half - 47%.
- The increase in homelessness is largest among youth.
View the entire summary report - Homelessness in Minnesota: Key findings from the 2009 statewide survey
Avenues welcomes new board members
The Avenues Board of Directors recently elected the following individuals to serve on the board:
Nicque Mabrey-Schaff, Committee Legislative Assistant, MN Senate
Chuck Tombarge, Account Supervisor, Himle Horner
We would like to thank Danielle Whitney for her service on the board during the past year.
Continuing on the Avenues Board of Directors are - Seema Pothini (president), Erin Campbell (vice president), Daren Nyquist (secretary), Dave Blanchard (treasurer), Robert Brandt, Shawn Gensch, Brian Gilligan, Eric Gilseth, Michael Liddell Jr., Kate Nilan and Doris Pagelkopf.
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 Brochure
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Immediate Wish List
- Umbrellas
- New water bottles
- New flip flops (men and women)
- House slippers (men and women)
- Target or clothing store gift cards
- $10 bus passes
View Personal Care Supply Wish-List |
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