Thank you, Edina Community Lutheran Church, for having our ConneQT program manager, Ryan Berg, join your LGBT & Friends group for a conversation on LGBTQI+ youth homelessness. Avenues and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative joined the conversation.
This month Woodbury High School NHS hosted a talent show with proceeds going to Avenues. They raised over $2,000 for youth experiencing homelessness!
Minnesota Association for Justice shared the love this month by putting together Valentine's Day gifts for youth at Avenues. The gifts included candy, stress balls, work books, and fuzzy socks for youth.
Thank you, Champlin United Methodist Church, for donating gift cards for youth!
Thank you, African American AIDS Task Force, for donating condoms this month!
Black History Month Facts
This month Avenues staff sent weekly facts on Black History called: #ThingsYouDidn'tKnowYouNeededToKnow.
Youth Find Stable Housing During Anniversary Month
Three youth will move out of Brooklyn Avenues and into stable housing this month - a special event during a special month. This February marks Brooklyn Avenues 6th anniversary. The 12 bed shelter and transitional living program opened to youth ages 16-20 in February 2015 after the community recognized its need for youth services. Faith, political, and community leaders rallied behind the program and built the building specifically for youth. Then, like now, the program remains tied to community.
In honor of the anniversary, Avenues recorded an interview between Makeda Lacking, Brooklyn Avenues' Youth Advocate and Engagement Specialist, and Rosie Irons, a Brooklyn Avenues Youth Support Specialist. The interview covers Brooklyn Avenues updates, the COVID-19 impact on youth, and where the three youth will be moving to.
The link below will take you to an audio recording of the interview. It has some echoing, mostly in the first minute and a half.
Thank you, community, for continuing to support Brooklyn Avenues!
During January and February, TopLine Federal Credit Union hosted a bedding drive across its branches to support Avenues. Every year, about 100 new youth enter Brooklyn Avenues and Minneapolis Avenues and we try to provide them with new bedding that they can take with them when they leave. Thank you, TopLine, for making Avenues feel like home for youth!
Join Us for Building on Dreams on March 23rd
Registration for Avenues' annual Building on Dreams event is now open! Building on Dreams is Avenues' annual fundraiser and a great opportunity for your friends, family, and coworkers to learn about the impact we're making on youth homelessness in Minnesota. You'll hear from a variety of inspiring speakers at Building on Dreams, including our keynote speaker, Rebecca Lucero, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, and an expert panel on youth homelessness.
Building on Dreams is on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, from 8:00-9:00 a.m. with an optional speed networking event from 7:30-8:00 a.m. We're excited to share that Building on Dreams will be hosted on Whova, a virtual event center that you can attend on your desktop or mobile phone.
The event will be MC'd by Kare 11's Rena Sarigianopoulos and we're excited to share that national touring artist, Joe Davis, is returning to Building on Dreams for a special performance!
Avenues recently updated its Amazon Wishlist! Our programs are in needs of toothpaste, new bedding, deodorant, and shower caddies. Your donation with ship directly to Avenues, and you can select Avenues as your Amazon Smile Charity. Shop now below.
