Avenues for Homeless Youth
To the Avenues Community
  
Dear Friends -
  
My window is open this afternoon.  I love the sound of our youth dribbling the basketball and shooting hoops in the back parking lot!

Last night, we celebrated three of our youths' graduation from high school with a special dinner and cake.  I feel so privileged to see them smile with pride about their accomplishments and talk about their futures.  

Four Avenues youth are attending college classes right now.  Two recently moved into supportive apartment living and another is almost ready to move.  Many youth are working on their resumes, job applications and interviews.  

It's not easy being young and trying to make your way in the world, especially for youth who have experienced homelessness, trauma and uncertainty.  But Avenues' youth amaze us every day.  They are strong and resilient.  They are wise beyond their years.  And they bring humor to the house.  

They make us very proud.

Avenues' programs and services work.  The principles we bring to our work with homeless youth are described in the "9 Principles" article in this newsletter.  We aren't perfect!  This work is very hard at times.  But our staff are committed to supporting, encouraging and advocating for the youth who participate in Avenues' programs.  
  
We want to be able to support many more of the homeless youth who are waiting for - and deserve - programs offered at Avenues.  And so, we are working very hard with our Brooklyn Park partners to create a new shelter and transitional housing program for 12 youth from the northwest suburbs.  "Brooklyn Avenues" should open in December 2014.  The building is being designed and we are 80% of the way to our fundraising goal of $600,000.  Construction will start in August!   
  

There are many ways you can play a critical role in supporting Avenues' youth.  You'll find articles about these opportunities in this newsletter:

  • Join us for a Volunteer Clean Up Day on Saturday, June 21 (1-4 pm).  Help us with yard work, house cleaning and more at the North Minneapolis house.  
  • Become a Host Home.  Tell others about the opportunity to host a young person who has experienced homelessness.
  • Donate!  We need and welcome gifts of all sizes, whether to Avenues' generally or one of our five programs specifically. 

 

Thank you,

 

Deborah Loon

Executive Director 

New Arrivals to Avenues
 
Jenny Javitch, LGSW
Board Member
Jenny Javitch is the Director of Education and Enrichment at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, overseeing a department that provides college access, workforce readiness and teen pregnancy prevention programming for youth being mentored.  Previously, she ran the College Access program and supervised social work interns at Neighborhood House and worked for six years as professional staff at nonprofit youth summer camps.  Jenny holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.  She is a licensed graduate social worker and was recently recognized as one of the "Rising Alumni" of the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development.
Paul Blom
Board Member
Paul Blom is a well-known advocate for many causes in the Twin Cities area.  He serves in Board leadership positions for Training to Serve, a non-profit that provides resources and training about LGBT aging, National Parkinson Foundation Minnesota, the Minneapolis Area Senior Workers Association,  annual Fall Aging Conference, Home Care Association of America Minnesota Chapter and Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus. Paul and his partner, Bob White, co-own Right at Home - In Home Care & Assistance in Bloomington. The company has been awarded the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award, the 2012 Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal's Diversity in Business Award and top ranking in the 2012 and 2013 Star Tribune Top Workplaces in Minnesota.

Randall Cohn

Program Supervisor

Randall Cohn comes most immediately from the Harbor Light Center, where he coordinated the housing case management program and helped supervise the Hennepin County Top 51 pilot. Before that, he worked as an outreach case manager for People Incorporated Homeless Services, and as a shelter advocate at Simpson Housing Services. Randall is a founding member of the Minnesota Harm Reduction Coalition.  He also has worked in higher education, labor organizing, legal publishing, and the service industry. He has a bachelor's degree in fine arts and a master's degree in political science, and attends law school part-time.
Nine Evidence-Based, Guiding Principles to Help Youth Overcome Homelessness
  
Throughout 2013, Avenues staff leadership worked collaboratively with five partner agencies and the Otto Bremer Foundation on a participatory "developmental evaluation" of how we work with youth.  We set out to find evidence of the effectiveness of our program philosophy and principles. 
  
Under the guidance of Michael Q. Patton, PhD, and working with the six agencies, Nora F. Murphy, then a PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota, completed in-depth case studies of 14 young people who had engaged with Avenues and the other five agencies during their homelessness.  The collaborative agencies were involved in every aspect of the evaluation.  In monthly meetings, we selected the focus of inquiry, designed the evaluation, interpreted the findings and finalized the report.
  
We have collectively published the "9 Evidence-Based, Guiding Principles to Help Youth Overcome Homelessness." This publication will be used extensively by Avenues and its partners for collaborative staff training, and will be shared nationwide with other organizations that work with young people.

 

Building on Dreams, 1st Annual Breakfast

On May 13, Avenues welcomed nearly 200 friends to its first annual "Building on Dreams" breakfast.  Guest speakers Congressman Keith Ellison, Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeffrey Lunde and former Avenues client, Grace V., addressed a packed house. The guests were treated to a stirring spoken word performance by Avenues youth counselor, Michael Lee.  
 
Executive Director Deb Loon recognized the hard work of Avenues' staff, volunteers and board, as well as elected officials in attendance: Representative Peter Fischer, Hennepin County Commissioners Linda Higgins and Marion Green, Minneapolis School Board Members Rebecca Gagnon and Tracine Asberry, and President of the Minneapolis Board of Estimate & Taxation, David Wheeler.
 
Seeing such a turn-out of support invigorated the Avenues' staff and board.  Everyday we draw significance and meaning from our work with the youth, but finding ourselves in such a strong community of caring people is a definite agent of energy for our program and staff.
GLBT Host Home Program Fundraiser
 
(GLBT Advisory Council members and staff, past & present (from left to right): Kelly Brazil, Rocki Simões, Roxanne Anderson, Katie Burgess, Myrl Beam. Center: Asalesol Young)
    
June 10 - Avenues kicked off the summer with a fundraiser for the GLBT Host Home Program.  Held in the community room of the gorgeous Fifth Avenue Lofts, the event was hosted by Senator Scott
Senator Scott Dibble
Dibble and co-hosts: Alan Braun & Ken Kapphahn, Roxanne Anderson & Anna Meyer, Paul Blom & Bob White, Jeanne Burns & Liz Oppenheimer, Shawn Gensch & Scott Steen, Brian Gilligan & Steve Pospisil, Jacqui Loosli & Alexis Kantor.
  
Thanks to Mattie's on Main and North Loop Wine & Spirits for donating tasty hors d'oeuvres and wine.
  
Couldn't attend? We have a special opportunity - all contributions made that night and for the rest of June will be matched by a generous grant from Alan Braun and Ken Kapphahn.  Click here to donate. 
  
For additional photos of the event, head over to the GLBT Host Home Facebook page.  
Summer Clean Up - Call for Vounteers!

Avenues Summer Clean Up

Saturday, June 21

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

We want to start summer with a deep clean. Lend us your elbow grease to "spit and polish" the Avenues lawn, house, and donation storage closets. Help create a welcoming, safe environment for youth! (Volunteers must be over 21-years-old.)

 

Sign up for Avenues Summer Clean Up using VolunteerSpot.

 

 

2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account)

3. Sign up! 

 

 

Click here for more ways to get involved.  Then call Melissa Peterson at 612-522-1690.  

 

 

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Connect With Us

 

Avenues for Homeless Youth

1708 Oak Park Ave. N

Minneapolis, MN 55411

 

612.522.1690 phone

612.522.1633 fax

 

 

If you would like to make a donation or volunteer, please contact Melissa Peterson.

 

Visit us online:

 

 

 

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In This Issue
New Arrivals to Avenues
Nine Evidence-Based, Guiding Principles to Help Youth Overcome Homelessness
Building on Dreams Breakfast
GLBT Host Home Program Fundraiser
Volunteer Day at Avenues
15 New Host Homes By '15

SHHP Logo Mpls HHP Logo  

 

Our host homes are full and youth are waiting.  We need more host homes and we have set a bold goal of recruiting and training 15 new host homes by 2015.  

 

Hosting is a beautiful and effective way to share resources and support a youth experiencing homelessness. This three-minute video will give you a feeling for the difference a host home can make for a young person in transition! 

 

Check out our website to begin learning about these programs, then contact one of our program managers -- Rocki Simoes for the GLBT Host Home Program (612-968-8771) or Deena McKinney for the Minneapolis and Suburban Host Home Programs (612-750-9503).

   

Even if you aren't in a position to be a host home right now, you can help us reach our goal: 

1. Please tell others about these wonderful programs.
2. Invite us to speak to a gathering of your friends, your faith community, your workplace.  We make wonderful guest speakers!

3. 'Like' our program pages on Facebook and encourage others to check us out. Thanks! 

 

GLBT Host Home Program 

Minneapolis Host Home Program 

Suburban Host Home Program  

Click the image to check out our 2012-2013 Annual Report
 
  

Thank You, Recent Supporters!

 

Organizational Donors

 

Ameriprise Financial, Amgen PAC, Anixter Cares, Anonymous, Best Buy, Cordavii Consulting LLC, Edina Community Lutheran Church, First Christian Church (DOC), Medtronic Inc., New Beginning Financial Group LLC, One Voice Mixed Chorus, Thrivent Financial Foundation, Travelers, Unity Church-Unitarian of St. Paul

  

Avenues General Donors 

 

Sharon P. Aadalen, Nana Ahwoi Larson, H. Andrew Andersen, Cynthia Anderson, Michelle Anderson, Sheila Anderson, Anonymous, Cynthia Arends, Ann Aronson, Michelle and Neville Basman, Chris Bellefeuille, Ashley Bennett Ewald, Joseph Beranek, Lee Bizik, Amy Boland, Deborah Bowers,  Robert J. Brandt, Amy Lynn Brockman, Brittany Bunes, Lawrence Bussey, Lily Byrlev, Cristina and Chad Carstens,   Randall K. Cohn, Susan Crabtree, Laurie Crelly, Camille Curley
  
Diane Dahlen, Wendy Darst, Michelle Des Islets, Aaron B. Dossett, Kent Eklund, Keith Ellison, Holly M. Evans, Gagnon Family, Sue and David Finstrom, Latricia R. Flowers, Larry Fonnest, Jared Frandson MD, Lev Frayman, Dustin J. Fredericksen,  Anne E. Freeman, Andrea J. Friesen, Peter Frisch
 
Clarice Gensch, Shawn Gensch and Scott Steen, Jennifer Gertman, Maria H. Ghassemlou, Brian Gilligan and Steve Pospisil, Lisa M. Gray, Marion Greene, Thomas Greenwalt,  Theresa Griep, David Groenheim, Annika Gunderson, Vi Haldeman, Rachelle Haroldson and Matthew Fransen, Diana L. Harvey, Brian Heaver, Andy Hein, Diane Helgeson, Lee Henderson, Kirstin Hibbard, Linda Higgins, Richard J. Hilber, Dale and Diane Hoganson, Daryl Hosch, John E. Hueg
  
Lisa and John Jacobson, Jenny Javitch, Elizabeth Jeska, Duane A. Jones, Joan V. Kennedy, Thomas Killian, Crystal Kory, Brenda Kruse, Aeryle D. Kuehn, Patti Kunene, Patricia Kurt and George Weyer, Rachana Lafrentz, Deb S. Lande, Michael Lewis, Elisabeth Loeffler, Brian Lucas, Julie Ludowese, Lee Mauk, Tracey McCoy, Sarah M. Mollet, Jason Moore, Rachel Morey, Debra Mueller
 
James H. Nepp, Brian Ness, Laurie Niblick, Michael and Jane Nilan, Kate Nilan and Chris Vaughn-Uding, Steven Nyame, Joseph K. Oppong, Dean W. Osterman, Sandra H. Overland, Donald J. Pagelkopf, Gerald Pelofske, Cheryl Persigehl, Chuck Peterson, Samuel R. Peterson, Brady Pettis, Rabecca Phiri, Melissa Plachecki
  
Jeffrey Rank, Felicia Ravelomanantsoa, Rachel Rosen, Michael Russell, Amanda Scherer, Michael Schock and Leslie Baken, Jamie Schuster, Kate Searls and Daniel Rybeck, Richard Seaver, Miriam Seidenfeld, Amy J. Shapiro, Dana S. Shapiro, David Shea, Marty Shimko, Alison R. Sipkins, Judy Sonsalla-Lissick, Godson Sowah, John Stiles, Jon J. Stumbras, John L. Sullivan, Steve Swedberg
 
Keith Tanski, Brandon Thompson, Patricia Tollefson, Charles Tombarge, Keri L. Vanoverschelde, Barry Vornbrock, Roberta Wangaard, David B. Wheeler, Daniel J. Willenbring, Claire Wilson and Maria Kaefer, Anthony S. Winer, Elaine Woods, Robin Wright, Andrea Wuebker, Ron Zweber
 
Building on Dreams Event Sponsors
  
Gray Plant Mooty Foundation
KPMG LLP
  
GLBT Host Home Program Fundraiser Sponsors
  
Matties on Main
North Loop Wine & Spirits
  

Brooklyn Avenues Donors

 

Anonymous, Susan Bryant, Audrey M. Carlson, Paula Clark, Crossroads Alliance Church, John and Chris Davenport, Discover Church, Alice Eckberg, Ella and Rolland Loon, Family of God Lutheran Church, Sharlene Friederichs, Sherry Heffernan, Joan Hermanson, Christopher P. Herrlin, Samanatha Herrlin, Christina R. Holm, Infant of Prague Guild - St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, Shirley A. Johnson, Wendy L. Johnson, Geraldine M. Korfiatis, Gerald LaCrosse, Joan E. LaHaye, Diane L. Lambert, Lutheran Church of the Master, Susan D. Maahs, John C. Mason, R. L. Morrison, Micheal D. Preston, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Roof4Youth, Daniel J. Scharba, Luverne Toll, VMware Foundation, Bessie M. Warner

   

GLBT Host Home Program  

 

Marijo Batten, Gregory M. Maddox, Ryan McGuire Grimes, Frances Olson, Tim Zehta, Emmaus - Luther Seminary, LGBT Resource Group - Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, Twin Cities Gay Pool League 

 

Myrl E. Beam, Debra L. Bishop, Beth-Ann Bloom, Gerard Blankenship,  Paul R. Blom, Lawrence Cohen, Danielle M. Boor, Scott Dibble, Sara Feld, Aliya Finman-Palmer,  Tim Funk Meyer, Brian Gilligan, Elsbeth Holger-Ambrose, Kyle Ingebrigtson, Pamela Ingebrigtson, Diana Johnson,  Thomas L. Knabel, David J. Kohman, Patricia L. Lindsley, Jacqueline Loosli, Owen Marciano, Anna Meyer, Rajean Moone, Ross Nervig,  Elise Probasco, Josephine Pufpaff, Gregg Riley, Amanda Scherer, Henry Schneiderman, Susan Sheffield, Gerald F. Tyrrell, Brent Vanderlinden, David B. Wheeler

 

Tributes in Celebration

 

Marriage of Kathy Copra and Brenda Douville: Lane Ayres, Marilyn Meade-Moore

Marriage of Judith and Peg: Marilyn Meade-Moore 
 

Tributes in Honor

 

Phil Cohen: Merna Kingsley


Senator Scott Dibble: Minnesota School Counselors Association

Dr. Lois Hall: Gordon Apple and Susan Thornton
 
Midway Felix: Eboun Singhathip

 

Tribute in Memory

 

Debra Reinking: Marlen and Marilyn Reinking 

 

In-Kind Donations  

            

Kelsey Bergfalk, Debra L. Bishop, Blick Art Materials, Andrea J. Friesen, Half Price Books - Roseville, IKEA North America Services, Geri Lewis, Milkweed Editions, Minnesota Association for Justice, Rana Nestrud, Meena Pothini, Shrey Pothini, Rainbow Foods, Rotary Club of Crystal-New Hope-Robbinsdale, Second Harvest Heartland, David Shea, Mona Shilling, Jennifer Soun Lee, Dale Tennison, Union Congregational Church UCC
  

Volunteers

 

Avenues Board of Directors, Ron Engh, Edina Community Lutheran Church, GLBT Host Home Program Advisory Council and Hosts, Rachelle Haroldson, Diane Helgeson, Sara Huffman, Michael "Doobie" Kurus, Laura Fredrickson, Minneapolis Host Home Program Action Council and hosts, Dean Osterman, Suburban Host Home Program Action Council and Hosts, Patricia White
 
Thank you, donors and supporters! You are the fuel that makes Avenues run every day.  

  

Your gift will go a long way in helping our youth. For example:

 

$25 Weekly bus transportation for one youth

$50 New socks and underwear for one youth

$250 One week of meals (3 per day) for 20 youth

$500 Utilities for one week at the North Minneapolis House

$1,000 All of the above, and then some!!