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To the Avenues Community
Dear Friends:
Over 100 homeless youth accessed Avenues' programs in the first half of 2013. But reporting to you on numbers served tells just part of the story. What really matters is the quality of our work.
While expanding programs, Avenues also has been deepening and strengthening its programs to better serve our youth. See the article directly below for more information.
Growth always comes with some risk, but we take it knowing the community expects it and will support it. Together, we are helping as many homeless youth as possible transition "from surviving the streets to thriving young adults."
Thanks for your connection and commitment.
Deborah Loon Executive Director P.S. Neither heat nor humidity kept away an amazing group of volunteers today from U.S. Bank! We are so grateful for all they accomplished sprucing up Avenues -- they weeded, trimmed, mulched, cleaned and painted! Thanks to U.S. Bank, the United Way Arise Project and the volunteers. You are all wonderful. Click here for photos of all their great work. |
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Broadening Youth Support
During 2012, Avenues added five beds at its Shelter and Transitional Housing Program in North Minneapolis and launched the Minneapolis Host Home Program. We did this with financial support from the community.
As we implemented the capacity expansion in early 2012, we also identified areas in which we wanted to make a deeper programming commitment at the North Minneapolis house. We recognized the barriers our youth face only seem to be getting higher. For that reason, we sought and received a federal grant to support:
(1) More intensive mental health therapy services on-site. We now have a 0.50 FTE mental health therapist on-site for individual and group counseling sessions, as well as to refer youth to off-site services. In addition, Avenues usually has at least one intern working on a therapy license or counseling degree who does assessments and therapy with youth.
(2) Stronger programming around independent living skills training, employment, youth empowerment and positive youth development, and evaluation. A new position of Youth Engagement Coordinator has been created to lead and coordinate these efforts.
(3) Expansion of after-care case management support to better ensure youth success after they move out of Avenues. Avenues now has two full-time After-Care Case Managers working with youth after they move out. They work with youth in stable housing as well as youth who are homeless or otherwise unstably housed.
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Meet an Avenues Board Member
Chuck Tombarge has served on the Board of Directors of Avenues for Homeless Youth since May 2010 and became chair of the board in January 2013. Professionally, he is director of public relations for the University of Minnesota. Chuck lives in St. Paul with his partner Lee.
Why did you decide to get involved in this way? I was looking for an opportunity to give back to the community and missed working on youth issues. I met with several individuals for advice on organizations that would be a good fit and Avenues for Homeless Youth came up multiple times thanks to its great reputation. I visited Avenues' house, spoke to Deb Loon, executive director, and former Board Chair Seema Pothini and was impressed by their work, Avenues' support of all homeless youth and the healthy relationship between the board and staff leadership. Every time I see how youth benefit from Avenues and its exceptional staff, I know this organization is well worth my and others' support. What is your favorite part of being an Avenues board member? I most appreciate being part of an organization that is making a huge difference in the lives of the youth it serves. The issue of homeless youth is often overlooked and misunderstood. But by providing safety, support, and life skills development for each youth that stays at Avenues' house or is benefiting from one of the Host Home programs, Avenues is changing lives while fostering awareness about the homelessness issue. What do you view as your greatest contribution to the organization? I can only hope that my leadership on the board, and the decisions my board colleagues and I make together, place Avenues for Homeless Youth on a successful path to serve more youth, remain financially healthy and continue to enhance its community leadership to someday prevent youth homelessness. What's one thing you'd like to see for Avenues in the next 5 years? I'm looking forward to completing the strategic planning that the board, leadership and staff are currently undertaking, so that Avenues has a clear direction for its future. I hope we can serve more youth, become smarter as a community about the needs of and resources available to homeless youth, and can better engage policymakers, community leaders and local organizations to reduce youth homelessness.
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Box City Vigil at the Capitol Building For the second year in a row, students from Jefferson and Kennedy High Schools in Bloomington selected Avenues to benefit from proceeds raised during a unique annual youth homelessness awareness event. Box City Vigil 2013 took place overnight on the front lawn of the Capitol building in St. Paul May 31. Several Avenues staff members attended to address the large group of participants during the music and special presentations portion of the evening. The students raised over $1200 for Avenues this year. Thank you, Box City Vigil participants and Leadership Team!
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GLBT Host Home Program Event  John Larsen, Mike Stewart and Rosie Benser hosted a fundraising event for the GLBT Host Home Program May 2. John and Mike were Rosie's host home in the program for several years. They opened their beautiful home to our guests and we raised our glasses to Rosie and her graduation from Augsburg College. Senator Scott Dibble and others spoke of the importance and impact of the unique community-based program. The event generated over $16,000 -- more funds than any year prior -- so we had much to celebrate. Thank you, John, Mike and Rosie!
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. Bonkers for Bowling!
There's just something about bowling! Avenues hosted two fun bowling events recently.
IncrediBowl 2013 took place in late April and was bigger and better than ever! Pre-registration filled all 20 lanes at Park Tavern Bowling Alley in St. Louis Park. We had many exciting raffle items and several generous sponsors, enabling a very successful (and super fun) event -- and generating over $9,000, more than any year prior. Check out Facebook to see all the photos -- and be sure to register early next time so you secure a spot!
With all 20 lanes filled for IncrediBowl, there wasn't room for Avenues youth to join us that day. We opted to create a special Park Tavern bowling party in June to celebrate summer and congratulate heartily the 8 Avenues youth who graduated high school or procured their GED. We couldn't be more pleased. And they had a blast!
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Winter & Spring Highlights
VocalPoint Chorus selected Avenues to benefit from its concerts in February. Avenues staff members Deb Loon and Mike Meyer joined the philanthropic choir for the performances as did several of Avenues' friends, including board and staff members and a former Avenues youth who shared her story. VocalPoint raised over $17,000 in the weekend of concerts and these funds were doubled by the Otto Bremer Foundation. Pictured is the incomparable Jearlyn Steele, featured special guest artist.
 The Power of 100 - Twin Cities Women Who Care has a truly unique and effective model for gifting pooled funding to a different organization each quarter. Four times per year, these 100 women meet to review potential benefiting organizations and vote on which will receive that quarter's funds. Avenues was lucky to win the very first time we were entered by one of their members! Three women representing the organization came to deliver $10,200 to us in April. Pictured from left: Avenues board member Brian Gilligan, Avenues executive director Deb Loon, and representing The Power of 100, Jen Eggers, Jenni Bruess & Mary Fritz.
Arthur Murray Dance Centers hosts an annual competition called Dancing With the Twin Cities Celebrities to benefit local organizations using the talents of their own instructors and several well known people in the Twin Cities community. Each celebrity selects a charity for which to compete. Christopher Hopkins (known as "The Makeover Guy" on TV, and owner of reVamp! salonspa in Uptown) chose to dance for Avenues this past February. His efforts generated almost $4000 and he performed very well! Christopher is pictured here with the 2013 competition winner Heidi Collins (left) and Arthur Miller's Lynda Smith and Kristi Cartier.
Founded in 2005, GIVING WoMN aims to "nurture and empower women in philanthropy." Their membership is comprised entirely of women who live in Minnesota and they provide grants in the areas of education, health and human services. Avenues was selected as one of several 2013 grant winners and in February received $24,000, the top amount awarded this year. Thank you to all the women who pooled their money to provide this generous grant!
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Smoothie Recipe from Nurse Margot Nurse Margot has the youth making and loving smoothies. Here's a favorite recipe at Avenues:
Ingredients 1 cup yogurt (vanilla or plain) 1 banana (fresh or frozen) 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (mixed berries, mango, pineapple, pear) 2 handfuls fresh spinach or ˝ cup frozen spinach Splash of water or juice Directions Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Stop the blender, stir, and blend again for a very smooth consistency. Makes 2 servings. Nutrition This smoothie is a well-balanced food because it has two servings of fruits that include healthy sugars and carbohydrates, one serving of vegetables, and one serving of dairy that has protein as well. All five food groups are covered!
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 Avenues Host Home Programs
  
Share Your Home!
We are seeking 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 or just call us to find out more. You will learn about the application and screening process for potential hosts and have an opportunity to hear from hosts who have shared their homes with youth.
Please "Like" our program pages on Facebook!
GLBT Host Home Program
Minneapolis Host Home Program
Suburban Host Home Program
GLBT Host Home Program Info Sessions
Young people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender need homes and we are actively recruiting hosts. Please help us get the word out about this program as well as the Minneapolis and Suburban Host Home Programs!
Tuesday, 7/30/13, 6-8pm
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (room 2310)
451 Lexington Parkway N
Saint Paul, MN 55104
www.wilder.org
Thursday, 8/1/13, 6-8pm
Common Roots (meeting room)
2558 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55405
www.commonrootscafe.com
Note: You don't need to wait for an information session to start the process of becoming a host. Contact us to get started!
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Upcoming Events -- You're Invited!
Thursday, July 18: The 2013 Minnesota legislature appropriated $4,238,000 over two years for homeless youth programs. Avenues for Homeless Youth is hosting an event to celebrate this $4 million increase this Thursday from 3:30-5:30pm (presentation at 4:30pm). The legislative authors of the Homeless Youth Act will be present, along with all of Avenues' partners. We are located at 1708 Oak Park Ave N in Minneapolis.
Saturday, July 20: The second annual Stand Up for Avenues Paddleboarding Event is coming up. Join us Saturday morning at Lake Calhoun's North Beach (near Thomas Ave). This event was great fun last year and we'd love to see new faces participating and cheering on the contenders. Visit the Facebook event page for more details and click here to register. Click here for a special WCCO preview segment, during which all four Morning Show anchors try their hand at paddleboarding.
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Thank You, 2013 Supporters!
Organizations
Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Advent Lutheran Church, Ameriprise Financial, Anonymous, Arthur Murray Charity Fund, Atlas Staffing Inc., Best Buy, Bloomington United for Youth, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, The Braun Foundation, Canadian Pacific, Canadian Pacific Women on Track, Change 4 Change - Augsburg College, Cupid's Cronies, LLC, Jim Davies, Edina Community Lutheran Church, The First Unitarian Society, Giving WoMN, GRACO, Kari Johnson, Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, Jefferson High School JAG Corps, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, Justin's Gift, Luther I. Replogle Foundation, Minnesota GLBT Kinksters, Minnesota RollerGirls, 2012 Nonprofit Mission Award (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and MAP for Nonprofits), The Ohrstrom Foundation, Paul Bunyan Invitational-Twin Cities, Phoenix Group Homes Inc., The Power of 100 - Twin Cities Women Who Care, Quota International of Minneapolis, Right at Home, Saint John's University Campus Ministry, Saint Olaf Catholic Church, Target Corporation, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, U.S. Bancorp Foundation Employee Matching Gift Program, United Health Group, Wells Fargo Bank, Wilde Roast Café, Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota
Avenues General Donors
Larry and Diane Abbas, Aleta Adams, Barbara Adu-Badu, Debrah Albert and Sheldon Finver, Elizabeth Alexander and Stephen Harper, Arthur and Jan Anderson, Cynthia Anderson, Jennifer M. Anderson, Sheila Anderson, Anonymous, Amy Asche, Craig Ashby, Kirk and Terry Atkinson, Kojo Baafi, Kimberlee Bach, Mike Bander, R.G. and K.A. Barker, Laura Baron, Michael Bearfoot, Elizabeth Benedict, Areba Bennett, Bennett-Hays Family, Diana Berg, Carol Bergh, Megan Bergseth, Abbie Betinis, Jennifer Bierlein, Conee Biggs and Carol Meeter, Tim Bildsoe, Debra Bishop, Lee Bizik, Gerard Blankenship, Deborah Bowers, Robert J Brandt and Rich Seaver, Phyllis Brashler, Phil Bratnober, Dianne Brooke, Joy Burdick, Vicki and Jeff Burger, Susan and Jerry Burmeister, James Burnett, Marie Burnett, Cory Call, Marna Canterbury, Mary Cardinal Peterson and Thomas Peterson, Gail Celio, Nishit Hasmukh Charadva, Kirsten Christensen, Sara Harvey-Christensen, Flannery Clark, Linda Clay, Mandy Clemenson, Lauralisa Clements, David and Laura Colby, Dwight and Nancy Colby, Joanne Collins, Patrick Condon, Brenda and Jim Coulter, Thomas Crann Jr., Jeffrey Crump, Diane Dahlen, Emily Davidson, Karen Davidson
Liz Davidson, John G. Davies, Breanna Dedrickson, Ezekiel Deji Ojo, Jennifer Deveney, Nicholas Dewey, Julie A. Dickinson, Holly Dolezalek, Michael Downs, Brian and Amanda Doyle, Jacqueline Easton, J. Michele Edwards, Laura Eiklenborg, Maureen and David Engelhardt, Janet Engeswick, Ronald Engh, Walter W. Enloe, Patricia Erickson, Ronald Erickson and Karin Schurrer Erickson, Diane Fillips, Sue Finstrom, Colleen Fisher, Debra Fitzpatrick, Mary Flater, Barbara Fonkert, Carla Fredrick, Anne Freeman, Herbert and Marilyn Freier, Mark Fullterton, Andrew Garner, Anne and Andrew Garner III, Jessica Garner, Colleen Garty, Raymond Geist and Audrey Gay Geist, Shawn Gensch and Scott Steen, Jeff Gerke, Brian Gilligan and Steve Pospisil, Jenny Goodfriend, Thomas S. Greenwalt, David Groenheim, Adriana Guerrero, April Gulley, Gary and Milissa Gustafson, Brent Hale, Patricia and David Halsor, Louise Halverson, Rebecca Hamilton, Brooks and Rachel Harmon, Rachelle Haroldson, Harry Hartigan, Diane Harvey, Darin Hatch, Mark Hauck, Marie Hauser, Samy Hays and Alycia Novotny, Danette and Timothy Hedican, Daniel and Sara Marie Heffernan, Andy Hein, Linda Helland, David Hermanson and Katie Lampi Hermanson
Kirstin Hibbard, Cathy Hickman, Lucy Hiestand, Alyssa Hill, Brenda Hill, James Hill, Nanette Hill, Peggy and David Hintzman, Susan Hoffman, Dale and Diane Hoganson, Cynthia Howard, Neal and Charlotte Hubbard, Jaymes and Janet Hubbell, Nathan and Autumn Hubbell, Erin Hurley, Clara Hutchinson, David and Kathryn Hyduke, Megan Iverson, Norman and Beth Jagger, Sandra Jahn, Jenny Javitch, Elizabeth Jeska, Chandy John and P. Andrew Hisey, Brian and Kari Johnson, Catherine and Kim Johnson, Deborah Johnson, Kate Johnson, Kellie Johnson, William and Ann Johnson, Deborah Johnson, Gail Jones, Linda Jones, Steven and Candace Jongewaard, Alex and Erin Jude, Kathleen Jude, Ann and R.E. Juhnke, Laura and Robert Kadwell, Barbara Kalvik, Dr. Morton and Merle Kane, Krista Kedrowski, Laurie Kedrowski, Joan Kennedy, Helga Kessler, Richard Kinde, Janet Kinney, Mary Jo and Timothy Kinsky, Natalie Kinsky, Shelley K. Kline, Douglas Knowlton, Jennifer Kodet, Crystal Kory, Anthony Kouba, Tony Kouba, Stephanie Krause, David and Susan Kroska, Patricia Kurt and George Weyer, Susan Lamb, Kathryn LaMott, Mark Lappe, John Larsen, Craig Lee, Lydia Lee, Jane and Gary Legwold, Heather Leide, Aggie Leitheiser
Leonel LeMaire, Michael Lewis, Janet and Richard Lillemo, Pat Lindberg, Jennifer Lindquist, Jane Lonergan, Ella and Rolland Loon, Jacqueline Loosli, Deb Ludowese, Robert Lundberg, Teresa MacNeil, Dustin and Liz Maddy, Eben Malm, Jill Marcinkowski, Melissa and Chad Marolf, Judith and Todd Marshall, Lauren Martens, Lynn and Richard Martin, Nadine Martin, Sarah Martin, Jennifer Mason, Matthew Massman, Craig Mattson, Gail R. Maudal, Wallace McCallum, Bonnie McClain and Phillip Jennings, Cindy McClanahan, Anita McDermott, Kenneth McRae, Frederick and Lisa Meyer, Mike Meyer, Timothy Meyer, Laurie Mikkonen, Jane Ramseyer Miller, Latham P. Miller, Marion Miller and Joady Tombarge, Syed Mohiuddin, Jason Moore, Jim Mork, David Morrison, Liliane Moto, Carol Mundahl, Ron Murray, Judith Nelson, Jane and Michael Nilan, Kate Nilan and Chris Vaughn-Uding, Gary Null, Ben Oberg, Kim O'Brien, Chelsea Ogren, Manley and Ann Olson, Vicki and Daniel Olson, Patricia Orud, Doreen Osafo, Terry and Natalie Ostrom, Adam Overland, Stanley and Kimberly Owens, Ben Pagel, Norma Parker, Nicole Parsons, Gerald Pelofske, Robert and Patricia Penshorn, Rochelle Pereira
Charles and Carol Pickett, Richard Polanski and Janet MacKenzie-Polanski, Craig and Carrie Pratt, Mary and Robert Price, Judith Quist, Kathleen Raffo, Rachel Raiola, M. Redmond and S. Ring, Mary Regan, Mike K. Reid, Ellen Rest and Michael Bander, Pola Rest, Susan Rettke and Gary Rettke, Steve Retter, Michael Rice, Brian Rider, Jeremy Riehle, Loretta and John Ring, Greg Rising, Lynn Rizzardi, Jay Roble, Michael and Sharon Rodning Bash, Kjirsten Roisen, Maery Rose, Carol Rosendahl, Melanie Rouse, Michael Russell, Beth Rytkonen, Brian and Amanda Salami, Donna Samelian, Asitha Sandanayake, Cindy Sandstrom, Olive and Anne Sarkinen, Susan Schmid, Jeffrey Schneck, Curt and LuAnn Schneider, Jessica Schneider, Mary Schneider, Susan Schneiderhan, Fred and Lorraine Schreiber, James Schreiber, Donald and Katherine Schultz, Pamela Schutt, Dawn Segermark, Richard Senese, Najileh Sengbloh, Lynn Serrano, Mary Setter Bock and Edward Bock, Mary Shellum, Rob Shellum, Jennifer Sherman, Phyllis Sherman, Dennis and Monica Shevik, Cristy Siede, Ingwei Siek, Lynn Sislo, Melody and Lad Sledz, Bruce Smith and Marie Prottengeier Smith, Christopher Smith, Maureen Smith, Robert Snyder
Andrea Sobaski, David Sommer, Linnea Sommer, Bobbie Sondreal, Godson Sowah, Shawn Steen, Sherman Steen, Samuel Steffl, John-Mark and Nancy Stensvaag, Sharon Stinson, Theresa Stone, Patricia Strong, John Sullivan, Barbara Swanson, Pam Swenson, Judy Taddeini, Ann Taylor, Sarah Teich, Sharon Ten Broeke Balke, Lily Thiboutot, Todd Thierer, Elizabeth Thompson, Eve Thompson, Kristin Thompson, Todd and Jennifer Thompson, Ben Threinen, Patricia Tollefson, Chuck Tombarge and Lee Bizik, Michael and Joady Tombarge, Linnea Torstenson, Patricia Tollefson, Thomas Trachsel, Tam Tran, Juanita Traufler, Christine and Stephen Ullom, Megan Unger, Tyler Van Vierzen, Cynthia Vanderpoel, Joan Vanderpool, Catherine Vitols, Jeffrey Wahl, Heather Wang and Linda Nguyen, Roberta Wangaard, Marus Waterbury, Benell Weatherspoon, Miriam Weinstein, Marilyn Wells, Christopher Werle, Kathleen and Michael West, Royce and Volatiana Wiens, Jean Wilhide, Daniel Willenbring and Kelly Jeanetta, Dorothy A. Williams, Nathaniel Wolfe, Chad and Alysha Wollak, Mona Wong, Jessica Wong, Sue Ann Woo, Elaine Woods, Elizabeth Wroblewski, Mark and Carol Youngdale, Torrey Zahler, Jasmine Zand, Edgar Zapata, Edgar Zarate, Tim Zehta, Sandra Zeiss
GLBT Host Home Program Donors
Eric Anderson, Anonymous, Debra Bishop, Jake Blumberg, Henry Bromelkamp, Ronald Brunk, Randy Cernohous, Michelle Chalmers, Keith Cheetham, Susan Claeys, Dell Giving, Faegre Baker Daniels Foundation, Bradley Gangnon, Gay-Straight Alliance of Hennepin Technical College (Eden Prairie Campus), Frances Gingras, Carl Goldstein and Marnita Schroedl, Ryan Grimes and Paul McGuire, Phil Hallaway, Jay Huemmer, Autumn Huiras and Chad Kuha, Tom Knabel, Timothy La Pean, John Larsen, Gary Larson, John Leonhard, Angie Lindberg, Albert Lindeke III and Terese Campbell Lindeke, Gregory Maddox, James Myers and Jeanne Moynihan Myers, Julia O'Brien, Kathleen Pfaffinger and David Jones, David L. Piper, Douglas and Mary Platt, Razoo Global Corporation, Kevin Ringdahl, Di Schempp and Andrew Fisher, Gregory Soukup, Godson Sowah, James and Ann Swenson, Tristan Thiel, Elizabeth Tisel, Charles Tombarge, Marcus Waterbury, Dave Wells, Tim Zehta
In-Kind Donations
Kurt Adolfson, Larry Barthel, Deb Bishop, Amber Boecker, Dunn Bros Coffee, LaReina Dominick, Ron Engh, Lan Freitag (Arise Project - 3M), Elk River UCC, Eric Gilseth, Brian Gilligan, Girl Scout Troop 13936, Rachelle Haroldson, Janet Heezen, The Hockenbergs, Tom & Jean Kouba, Laurie Lang, Ben London, Lush Cosmetics, Wayne Milinkovich, Minneapolis South Rotary Club, Amy Ollendorf, Steve Pospisil, Justin Reis, Savage Elementary School and Shrey Pothini, Second Harvest Heartland, Mona Shilling, Bruce Smith, Soldiers Basketball Organization, Pat Strong, University of Minnesota (Interpreting / Captioning Unit), Joan Vanderpool, Susie Voss, Petrina Walter, Wells Fargo, Dan Willenbring
Volunteers
Avenues Board of Directors, Gary Baardsgaard, Larry Barthel, City of Lakes AmeriCorps Team, Ron Engh, GLBT Host Home Program Advisory Council & Hosts, Rachelle Haroldson, Phyllis Kaiser, Minneapolis Host Home Program Leadership Team, Suburban Host Home Program Action Council & Hosts, Susie Voss
Tributes
Clarice Gensch in honor of Shawn Gensch's birthday; Victoria Miller in support of Christopher Hopkins' dancing courage; Marc Roth and Ann Kaner-Roth in honor of Chuck Tombarge; Peter Stucki and Heather Vietz in honor of Rev. Rich Seaver's Birthday; Clarice Gensch in honor of Scott Steen's birthday; Lee Anderson in honor of John Larsen, Mike Stewart, and Rosie Benser; Russell Testa in honor of John Larsen, Mike Stewart and Rosie Benser; Karen Larsen in honor of Rosie Benser; Cornelia Place in memory of Adam Wolf; Michael and Carol Garbisch in memory of Adam Wolf; Robert and Eileen Nolan in memory of Adam Wolf; Linda and Tom Trevorrow in memory of Adam Wolf
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