Thank you Xcel Energy volunteers for spending your day of service at Minneapolis Avenues! Volunteers pulled weeds, picked apples and prepared our yard for fall on Friday. Thank you for your partnership, Xcel!
Become an Avenues Ally
Did you know that Avenues has an Ally program? As an Avenues Ally, you participate in four quarters (a year commitment) of learning and support for youth homelessness. The program is great for faith, civic and corporate groups that want a deeper understand of the systems causing youth homelessness and want to make an impact. Currently we have 14 Allies, and your group could be the next one. Learn more here.
Thriving At College
Last fall Steve moved into Brooklyn Avenues after his family went through financial hardship. Although he had a great relationship with his parents, they weren't able to care for Steve they way that they knew they should.
It took a while but Steve and Ian, Brooklyn Avenues' Youth Advocate and Engagement Specialist, got close and started working on his goals. In the winter Ian helped Steve apply for colleges, and with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church's help, threw Steve a graduation party in the spring. Steve accepted a full ride athletic scholarship to Howard University, a historically Black college in Washing D.C.
Ian said that dropping Steve off at the airport last month was a bittersweet moment. Ian was nervous about Steve flying alone to another state, but Steve texted him as soon as he landed. Steve is thriving on campus, working out with his teammates and studying computer science. He and Ian are checking in often.
Amplifying Youth Voices for Intentional Support
Tyler Brooks and Rebecca Shalloway are colleagues at Target Corporation and the Target Volunteer Council co-leads that worked on an event for Avenues. Leading a committee of volunteers, Rebecca and Tyler connected with Avenues before the pandemic to ask how they could make an impact. From the beginning they wanted to do something genuine and different. When the pandemic hit, it forced them to think outside of the box.
"This event has shown me that there’s so much more room to make an impact. When our committee came up with the survey it was a leap of faith to try something differently," Tyler said.
Instead of collecting items from a list given to them by staff, the committee wanted to connect with youth at Avenues and ask how their needs had changed since COVID-19. They created a needs assessment survey, asking questions like what youth want most and what they hardly use, and worked with staff to collect responses.
"I loved the interest in the arts and creative expression," Rebecca said. "That’s how I felt connected because I can see that as an outlet for myself. It was a great way for me to recognize that we’re all the same."
The survey turned out to be a great tool, connecting the volunteers and youth in a way that hasn't been done at Target or at Avenues before. Thanks to Target, youth will be getting exactly what they want during the pandemic, including treadmills for the houses, books written by folks that represent them, and art supplies. Target's creative team even created a custom meditation coloring book. Thank you for your intentional partnership, Target!
Impact Opportunity
Respond to the Census
Time is running out to respond to the census. The census determines the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated. Basically, it shapes Minnesota's representation and support for our communities. If you haven't yet, respond to the census now.
