Lakes Center for Youth and Families

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Lakes Center for Youth and Families

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At Lakes Center for Youth and Families, we Walk Alongside youth and families during pivotal moments—when connection and care can change the course of a life.

Our story begins in 1976, when a group of concerned citizens, law enforcement officers, and educators came together to create the Forest Lake Area Youth Service Bureau, a diversion service to keep first-time young offenders from re-offending. Over the past 40+ years, the programs have evolved to include Counseling and Enrichment programs. The mission of Lakes Center for Youth & Families is to ensure the success of youth, adults, and families through programming to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals, families, and our community. Today, our non-profit has expanded and supports various communities across Minnesota, primarily serving Anoka, Chisago and Washington counties. In 2017, on the 40th Anniversary, our team updated their name to Lakes Center for Youth & Families to encompass the family dynamic we serve. Today, we are proud to offer a full array of services in Counseling, Intervention, and Enrichment for local youth and families.

10/29/2026

A beautiful fall day, great conversations, and a shared commitment to supporting local youth!

A heartfelt thank you to Leif Erickson with Thrivent for hosting a wonderful event at Rustic Roots Winery in Scandia, and to his clients for their incredible generosity and support of Lakes Center!

We are grateful for Leif and his clients, who recognize the importance of investing in our youth and families. Their generosity is a wonderful example of what happens when people come together to make a difference in their community.

Thank you, Leif, and everyone who attended and contributed! Your kindness and generosity help Lakes Center continue walking alongside youth and families when it matters most.

10/26/2026

When our mentees expressed an interest in playing football, we helped turn that curiosity into an opportunity!

A few Lakes Center mentees recently connected with Grace McClure Johnson, #24 from the 2025 Minnesota Vixen, to learn about the team, try on some gear, and practice their football skills.

Thank you, Grace, for sharing your time and encouraging our young people to try something new. Experiences like these help youth explore their interests, build connections, and imagine new possibilities for themselves.

Interested in connecting with a mentor or joining For Young People (FYP)? Lakes Center helps youth build supportive relationships, explore new interests, and enjoy activities together.

Contact us to learn how your young person can get involved at lakescenter.org/foryoungpeople

10/08/2026

Our For Young People crew recently headed to Can Can Wonderland for a fun outing together!

Experiences like this give young people opportunities to try something new, build friendships, and connect with caring adults. Those shared moments help create a sense of belonging that carries beyond the outing.

Lakes Center’s For Young People program supports youth ages 12 to 18 through mentoring, group activities, circles, and community adventures. Free transportation is available to help youth participate.

Know a young person who would enjoy getting involved? Learn more and connect with us at www.lakescenter.org/foryoungpeople or call (651) 464 3685.

Share this post to help more families discover FYP!

10/03/2026

Isaac and his FYP mentee are cheering on the Gophers today!

Meaningful experiences with a caring mentor are a big part of Lakes Center’s For Young People program. Time together creates opportunities to build trust, strengthen connections, and make lasting memories.

Thank you, Tickets for Kids, for making this experience possible!

Interested in mentoring for a young person ages 12 to 18? Call Lakes Center at (651) 464 3685.

09/24/2026

We’re excited to share that Lakes Center has been nominated for the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Nonprofit of the Year Award!

This recognition reflects the care our team and community partners bring to young people and families every day. We’re grateful to everyone who helps make this work possible.

**Are you a Forest Lake Area Chamber member?** We’d be grateful for your vote! Voting is open through **Friday, September 25 at 11:59 p.m.**

Vote here:

Thank you for helping us recognize outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals in our community. The ballot for the 2026 Annual Awards is now live—cast your votes and help decide this year’s honorees. Select your top choices in each category, including the WHY behind your choice. Voti...

09/24/2026

As our new Director of Clinical and Restorative Services, Lacey leads our counseling and Juvenile Justice programs and works directly with young people and families.

Lacey has supported children, adolescents, and families through mental health challenges and trauma in homes, county social work, in-patient hospital, partial hospitalization program, and day treatment settings. She brings a thoughtful approach that respects each family’s experiences and culture. She also supervises and supports other clinicians.

I’m excited to see how Lacey will take our programs to the next level and deepen their impact in our community.
If you are looking for therapy for your child, we would love to talk about how we can support your child and family. We offer therapy in schools in the Forest Lake School District and at LILA, with plans to expand to North Branch soon. Reach out to Lakes Center to start a conversation.

Welcome, Lacey!

09/24/2026

We are grateful to Carney Insurance Services for choosing to celebrate 15 years by supporting Lakes Center!

Community partnerships like this help us continue showing up for young people and families when it matters most.

Join Carney Insurance Services on October 1 from 12 to 4 p.m. to celebrate this milestone, enjoy some great food, and learn more about the work happening through Lakes Center.

Congratulations on 15 years, Carney Insurance Services, and thank you for investing in young people and families in our community!

✨We’re Celebrating 15 Years!✨

Carney Insurance Services is celebrating 15 years in our community, and we’d love for you to join us!

Thursday, October 1, 2026
12:00–4:00 PM
Carney Insurance Services

Come celebrate with us and enjoy:

Food from The Grillium-Forest Lake
Connections, Games, and Fun!

We are proud to partner with Lakes Center for Youth and Families!
Stop by our celebration to learn more about their mission and how you can support the incredible work they do in our community.

Unable to attend? No problem! You can still support Lakes Center for Youth and Families by using the link below or the QR code to make a donation. Every bit of support makes a difference! 💙

We’re so grateful for 15 years of clients, friendships, partnerships, and community support. Come celebrate with us!

https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.lakescenter.org&c=E,1,DjmhqXTQ-YksFPj-uly4T3EkdNVS2MBvx-uVLG1xu-8VSTbHXZzsGBDrehTXpAWO7pfSkWIn94dQ9eEqSthlwjb3X3zZcSfdnQ22l3rAT1bjOA,,&typo=1&ancr_add=1

09/18/2026

September is in full swing with For Young People at Lakes Center!

We kicked things off with our Fall Kickoff, and there is still plenty coming up this month.

Circles continue every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in Forest Lake, giving young people a place to connect, build relationships, and just be themselves.

Then on Wednesday, September 23, we are heading to Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul for a night of fun together.

FYP is free for youth ages 12 to 18, and free transportation is available.

Know a young person who should join us? Sign up at lakescenter.org/foryoungpeople

Come for the activities. Stay for the people.

Address

200 4th Street SW (PO Box 970)
Forest Lake, MN
55025

Telephone

+16514643685

Website

http://www.lakescenter.org/

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