Building Momentum in 2012

To the Avenues Community

Dear Friends:

We are wonderfully busy at Avenues, expanding our services to support more homeless youth.

We are adding 5 beds at the North Minneapolis House, thanks to an Otto Bremer Foundation grant that provides 65% of the funding over 3 years. New furniture has arrived and remodeling will happen in early February. The staff schedule is being revised and new staff hired. We hope to welcome 5 more youth in mid-February, bringing our total daily youth supported to 21!
The Suburban Host Home Program should have 8 fully trained host homes in the Hennepin County suburbs following training in early February! We are accepting youth referrals and actively matching youth with hosts. Host recruitment and training is ongoing.
A new Minneapolis Host Home Program is being planned in collaboration with other partners. We will share more information soon.
Concerned folks from across the country watched the PBS "Need to Know" special on the GLBT Host Home Program and are asking for information on how to start host home programs. Did you see it? If not, watch it here.

You can help build the momentum. There are so many ways you can support our work - spread the word and encourage others to get involved, give financially, host a brown bag lunch at your office or educational forum at your faith community (we'll send a speaker), run a supplies drive, volunteer, attend an event, eat at Wilde Roast Cafe!

Check out this newsletter and our website for more information and ideas. Thank you.

Deborah Loon

Executive Director

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Wilde Roast Cafe is hosting a wonderful promotion for Avenues. During the entire month of February, a portion of proceeds from select menu items will be donated to Avenues. Wilde Roast offers many delicious food and beverage items and has a very warm and inviting atmosphere. They are open daily from 7am to 11pm and are located in Riverplace at 65 Main St SE in Northeast Minneapolis. Please visit frequently and tell your friends of this generous special promotion!

Jungle Red, a full service salon, spa and gallery located on the southern edge of downtown Minneapolis, is hosting its 10th annual "Treasures for Teens" fundraiser party for Avenues Saturday evening, February 18, 7-11pm. Refreshments, live music, art and a silent auction ensure this will be a festive and fun evening - all for a great cause. More information is on the facebook event page. Please join us and tell your friends! Jungle Red Salon is located at 1362 LaSalle Ave in Minneapolis.

Host a Homeless Youth in Your Home!

We are seeking new hosts for these vital, community-based programs. Hosting is a beautiful and effective way to share resources and support a youth experiencing homelessness. Attend an upcoming informational session to find out more!

GLBT Host Home Program Info Sessions

Tuesday, February 7, 6-8pm

Thursday, February 9, 6-8pm

Midtown YWCA

2121 East Lake Street

Minneapolis, MN 55407

Suburban Host Home Program Info Sessions

Thursday, February 23, 6pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka

605 Rice Street

Wayzata, MN 55391

Thursday, March 15, 6pm

Sabes Jewish Community Center

4330 Cedar Lake Road S

St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Tuesday, April 17, 6pm

Edina/Southdale YMCA

7355 York Ave S

Edina, MN 55435

GLBT Host Home Program on PBS!

The GLBT Host Home Program was featured on the PBS "Need to Know" series January 13. If you missed the original airing, the informative and inspiring segment may be watched here.

Special Fundraiser for the GLBT Host Home Program

Saturday, March 10, 5:30pm-8pm

Midtown Exchange Party Room

2929 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Co-hosts Senator Scott Dibble & Dick Senese warmly invite you to join them for refreshments and conversation. You'll learn more about youth homelessness and what is being done locally to support GLBT young people. This annual fundraiser is fun and informative. Please save the date and join us!

Inspiring Stories

Avenues Youth Counselor Writes & Performs Poem

If you've never seen a spoken word performance, and especially if you've yet to see Michael Lee perform, please watch this video! In a moving, self-composed poem, Michael aptly paints the great need for housing for youth experiencing homelessness...and the angst experienced as a youth counselor having to turn away young people when there simply isn't room at the shelter.

One of Avenues' Youngest and Most Motivated Supporters

Ever wondered what you or your family could do to help, but not sure how to go about doing it? Click here to read the inspirational story of an extraordinary young man working hard annually to supply Avenues with towels that last the year round.

Holiday Gifts for the Youth at Avenues

We are so grateful to the following three faith organizations that provided holiday gifts to all of the youth in our three programs! The youth received stockings, gift cards, slippers, journals, chocolates, hats and gloves, and other special items. Thank you to all who worked so hard to give so much!

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension
Falcon Heights United Church of Christ
Glen Cary Lutheran Church

In This Issue

Wilde Roast Cafe Promotion

Jungle Red Salon Fundraiser

Host Home Program Updates

Inspiring Stories from Avenues

Connect With Us

Thank You, Recent Supporters!

Organizations

Cooper High School, First Data, First Unitarian Society of Minnesota, GRACO, Hollstadt & Associates, Inc., Jerstad Family Foundation, Lifetouch, Inc., Nelson Tietz & Hoye, Inc., Otto Bremer Foundation, PFund Foundation, Luther I. Replogle Foundation, SOAR Learning, Inc., St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stiles Foundation, Target Foundation

Avenues Donors

Kaye Abel & Wiwel Bernard, Thomas Bain, Laurie & Mark Banker, Theodore Barnhill, Michelle & Neville Basman, Tony Becker & Tim Crom, Holly & Mark Bilderback, Jeanette Blankenship, Denise Borrelli, Joan Boughton, Paula Bownik, Rebekah & Jason Brandvold, Thomas Brazil, Amy Lynn Brockman, Amber Bullington, Keith Cheetham, Laura & David Clements, Patrick Condon, Marguerite Cowles, Elizabeth & Juris Curiskis, Peter & Martha Eckerline, Patricia Erickson, David & Sue Finstrom, Kristin Garwick, Tim Gerhart, Kathy Gilchrist, Brian Gilligan, Sue Gramith, Geraldine Graves, Thomas Greenwalt, Marie & Joseph Hauser, Terrill Herbig, James Imes

Sharon Ingemann, Lollie & Jeffrey Jensen, Mary K. Johnson, Mary Joy & William Kinney, Shelley Kline, Tineka Kurth, Julie & Maury Landsman, Beverly Larson, Lydia Lee, Natalie Levin, Ella & Rollie Loon, Deborah Loon, Teresa & Mark Manzella, Matthew Marakovitz, Laura & Nate Maring, Wallace McCallum, Justin McLaughlin, Adam Middleton, Haskew Middleton, Randy Miranda, Thomas Moran, Robert Murphy, Michelle Newman, Kate Nilan & Chris Vaughn-Uding, Betty & Larry Oestenstad, Doris & Donald Pagelkopf, Lora & Peter Pesheck, Philip Reames, Susan Rettke, Jeremy Riehle, Jay Roble, Jodi Rogness

Amos Rosenbloom & Marsha McDonald, Nina Samuels & Earl Schwartz, Benno Sand & Marlys Gapstur Sand, Kristin Schaefer & Kristen Brown, Linda & Leonard Schloff, Mary Schneider & Matthew Fair Jones, Barbara Schubring & Molly Morton, Pamela Schutt, Jennifer Scott Bryan, Carrie & Steven Siegel, Thomas & Shelly Sinas, William Smith, Craig Stewart, Ryan Stroschein, Karl & Ginger Styrsky, Jonathan Tate, Sharon Van Dyck & Richard Kelber, Linda Wells, Junell & Kevin Wendt, Danielle Whitney, Daniel Willenbring & Kelly Jeanetta, Brian Woodcock, Fran Zimmerman & Bernard Slutsky

GLBT Host Home Program Donors

Tim Baldoni, Marlys Barry, Mike Barry & Matt Griffin, Thomas Barry, Jessica Barry, Angela Carter, Catherine Hare & Janice Knieff, Michael Muehlbach, Mr. & Mrs. Marc Roth, Connie Sagstetter & Michael Buskirk, Naomi Sobel & Diana Doty, Sean Stewart

Suburban Host Home Program Donors

Nelson Berg, Ronald & Phyllis Berger, James & Jodi Boyne, Timothy Brausen, Janis Callison & Frederick Reuning, Glenn Corliss, Nan Corliss, Troy & Jennifer Dahnert, James & Marilynn Donoho, Gail Dorfman, Mark & Angela Eilers, Deborah Gernentz, Tina Haglund, Mark Hauck & Timothy Ferraro, John & Carol Hendrickson, Andrea Knoll, Agnes Leitheiser & Jeffrey Schlosser, Anne Mavity & Tom Fulton, Curt Rahman, Peter Raynor & Karen Rowehl, Pamela Rykken & Petre Scheie, Shirley Simmons, Sherlene Sorenson, Josh Sprague, Don & Leslie Stiles, Derek & Heidi Strom, Sandra Westman, Monica Williams

In-Kind Donations

Ascension Episcopal (Stillwater), Cheryl Biegler, Deb Bishop, Erin Campbell, Charlene Cervenka, Krista Cook, Ron Engh, Falcon Heights United Church of Christ, Heidi Farnham, Kathy Gilchrist, Brian Gilligan, Glen Cary Lutheran Church, Kristine Gondek, Debbie Johnson, Phyllis Kaiser, LGBTA Business Council at Target, The Minnesota Vikings, North Memorial Emergency Department, Terry Paetzel, Bonnie Pietz, Shrey Pothini & Friends, Sheila Rajendren, Second Harvest Heartland, Connie Sims, St. Francis True Value Hardware, Stephen Smith, Sean Stewart, Derrick Strom, The Thimble Bees of Wayzata Community Church, Mark Torguson, Petrina Walter

Volunteers

Avenues Board of Directors, Betsy Bain, Larry Barthel, Charlene Cervenka, Ron Engh, GLBT Host Home Program Advisory Council & Hosts, Diana Kennedy, Suburban Host Home Program Action Council, Roy Wang (Enlightened Tutoring)

Connect With Us

Avenues for Homeless Youth

1708 Oak Park Ave. N

Minneapolis, MN 55411

612.522.1690 phone

612.522.1633 fax

Want to help?

If you would like to donate or have any questions, contact Mike Meyer: mike@avenuesforyouth.org

Visit: www.avenuesforyouth.org

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