Avenues for Youth

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Avenues for Youth

Avenues partners with youth experiencing homelessness to achieve their dreams.

We do that by providing emergency shelter, short-term housing, and wrap-around services to more than 300 young people every year.

10/08/2026

Read our latest newsletter via the link in the comments!

In essence, Avenues' approach to partnering with youth is creating safety and security first. From there, the individual young person leads the way.

This approach works. The Avenues Community sees the same gap in care for our broader community's young people that we see, and they don't turn away. Avenues' supporters prioritize young people's well-being. Thank you for believing in Avenues and the young people we partner with.

Check out the headlines from our recent newsletter learn about what our thriving programs have been up to over the last few months.

[SLIDE 1] Settling into New Minneapolis Avenues
When move-in day arrived at 1404 N 8th Avenue, the staff and the current Minneapolis Avenues residents weren't sure what to expect. But the intentional, trauma-informed design of the new building made all the difference. The move went smoothly, and the young people settled in immediately.

"I love having my own room," one youth shared....

[SLIDE 2] ConneQT Host Home Program
Here are few examples of what happens when Avenues' supporters prioritize the young people in their community:

• A young person settled into independent housing and added a furry companion to their household.

• Three young people started internships that are helping them gain valuable workplace and life skills.

• A young person moved from a host home into permanent housing while taking the next step in their education...

[SLIDE 3] Brooklyn Avenues Program
The Brooklyn Avenues Program has a message board they update regularly. A few weeks ago, the board centered the Feelings Wheel! Prioritizing mental health is key for all of us, and practice makes progress. At the end of the week, youth had a special dinner together to honor each other's week of identifying feelings.

Brooklyn Avenues also celebrates two move-outs!

[SLIDE 4] Young Families Program
Young Families kicked off the new school year with a cookout and school supply distribution. Grill Captain Kunta and the Super Team eased the summer-to-fall transition for current families with good food, school supplies, and community.

Young Families' Donation Drive is running now through October 31.

10/06/2026

Thursday, October 29 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Avenues for Youth Community Room
1404 N 8th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Register today via the link in the comments!

Avenues for Youth is excited to share an upcoming event, Beyond the Checkbook: Creative Ways to Support the Causes You Love for Years to Come, presented by relational financial planner Roya Moltaji.

During this one-hour educational session, attendees will learn about less common, but very impactful, ways to incorporate charitable giving into their long-term financial plans. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and enjoy light refreshments. Learn more about the Beyond the Checkbook on the registration page.

This FREE event will be held in Avenues for Youth’s brand new community room space in North Minneapolis! Space is limited, register today — link in the comments!

09/08/2026

After nearly a decade of leadership, Executive Director Katherine Meerse has announced her plans to retire at the end of 2026.

Since joining Avenues for Youth in 2017, Katherine has guided the organization through tremendous growth and change, including the opening of our new Minneapolis Avenues site. This campus reflects the expansion she helped lead and positions Avenues to support even more young people in the years ahead.

"Katherine has helped position Avenues for a promising next chapter," said Board President Shawn Sorrell. "We are deeply grateful for her commitment, passion, and service."

Her leadership, vision, and commitment to young people have left a lasting impact on Avenues and the thousands of youth we've partnered with through the years.

While there is still important work ahead in the coming months, we're grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Katherine and prepare for the organization's next chapter.

Read more about Katherine's announcement and the upcoming leadership transition through the link in the comments.

09/04/2026

Introducing Lu, the Avenues Lion, self-appointed mascot of Avenues for Youth. But Lu is less pep rally leader and more collector and distributor of serenity.

To schedule your drop-off, email Tom Bond, Corporate and Community Engagement Manager, at [email protected]!

Avenues does not accept clothing and travel-sized items, except for the limited items on our lists.

Avenues does not accept used items such as clothing, sheets, bedding, and pillows.

09/01/2026

Thank you to the Avenues community for stepping up and sending piles and piles of sheets, duvet covers, pillows, towels, and washcloths! Consider this need MET (for now 😏). What a delightful surprise that, just moments after posting this request last week, deliveries started coming in.

08/28/2026

On August 27, 2026, local leaders, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Representative Emma Greenman, Council Member Jamison Whiting, and others, brought the South Minneapolis community together to honor those impacted at Annunciation on August 27 of last year. Community members assembled care packages for Avenues for Youth with menstrual products, notebooks, hand warmers, and other essentials.

Avenues is deeply grateful to have been a recipient of this kind action. It’s uplifting to experience the community taking care of one another as a way to cultivate hope.

And, of course, thanks to Corporate and Community Engagement Manager Tom Bond for stepping up and chatting with Fox 9 on behalf of Avenues for Youth.

Find a link to the full story at Fox 9 News in the comments.

08/26/2026

Join this community building event to lift up all of our friends and neighbors as we continue to show up for each other.

🗓️ THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
🕐️ 1–5 PM | 🖥️ RSVP via Eventbrite link in the comment section!
📍 Pearl Park Rec Center, 414 E Diamond Lake Rd

🧴🪥🧦 There will be a Care Kit Drive for youth at Avenues!

🥟 🍵 There will be sambusas & tea
🙋 Volunteer shifts every hour

08/24/2026

Avenues for Youth has a sudden and critical need for bedding and bath linens!

Fulfilling this need may be carried out in a few different ways:
🔹Amazon Wishlist — link in the comment section!
🔹Drop these items off directly — email [email protected] to coordinate
🔹Host a bed & bath linens drive — email [email protected] to coordinate
🔹Connect us with a potential mission aligned vendor — email [email protected] to coordinate

Needed items include:
🔺Twin Flat sheets
🔺Twin Fitted sheets
🔺Twin Duvet covers
🔺Twin Duvet inserts
🔺Pillows
🔺Pillow inserts
🔺Pillow covers
🔺Wash cloths
🔺Towels

08/16/2026

Thursday was the MNPOC Pride Rainbow Roots Youth Fair, and Avenues programs represented! 💜 📢

Mrs. La Reina, Channing, Max, and Cori tabled there. Youth earned MNPOC Bucks by visiting tables and engaging with each table. The kid behind the emojis in these photos learned about Avenues, got excited for math, and showed off his counting skills to earn $100.

He won an Xbox in the raffle but gave it back so that his cousin could win the bike she wanted (there was a one-prize-per-hou sehold rule). The kids are ✨️undeniably✨️ alright. 😎 😁

Make sure to check out what else is going with MNPOC Pride Week through the weekend.

08/07/2026

Thank you, Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, for attending and speaking. Your support is felt and appreciated. 💜🙏🏻

Address

1708 Oak Park Avenue N
Minneapolis, MN
55411

Telephone

+16125221690

Website

http://www.avenuesforyouth.org/

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