I am humbled and honored to join the Avenues family. I have been working with youth in some capacity for almost 20 years. Young people inspire me with their resilience, passion and intelligence. I believe that young people know what they need to become their best selves and it is our job to listen to them and support them on their journey. Avenues does that better than any organization I know. Every day, amazing staff use youth-centered, principles- and evidence-based practices to help more than 300 youth each year go from surviving the streets to thriving young adulthood.

We cannot do this without you! I have been at Avenues less than a month and already I am overwhelmed by the strength, breadth and depth of our community backing. From backpacks stuffed with essentials to holiday gifts to volunteer cleaners and painters to checks and on-line donations, the support has been pouring in. From all of us at Avenues, thank you so much for all you do for our community's youth.

Avenues has grown and evolved tremendously and I am excited to be a part of the next chapter. I know that you are, too! Please start 2018 with a donation to Avenues. Together we can end youth homelessness.

Katherine Meerse, Ph.D., Avenues' New Executive Director 

Meet our New Executive Director on January 10!

Please join us on Wednesday, January 10th from 5:30-6:30pm at Minneapolis Avenues for a meet and greet with Avenues' new Executive Director, Katherine Meerse. 

Katherine joined Avenues on December 11, 2017 following an extensive search conducted by the Board of Directors with assistance from Ballinger I Leafblad. She succeeds Deborah Loon, who announced her plan earlier this year to step down after nearly ten years leading the
organization. Read our full announcement here. 

Snacks and refreshments will be provided and all ages are welcome. 

Volunteers from St. Gerard Majella who organized Avenues holiday gift program this year. 

Minneapolis Avenues Case Managers, Caitlin Rolf and Sheila Shelton

Year in Review: Interview with Minneapolis Avenues Case Managers

A Story that We Remember:  *Kia, a young woman at Minneapolis Avenues, qualified for individual housing but had to deny it. The housing was too far from her job without transportation, so she went back on the list for housing closer to her job. 

Unexpectedly she became pregnant, and didn't qualify for individual housing anymore. Kia was on the list for family housing, which is harder to obtain, and time was running out. We had to find her housing before the baby was born. 

We began working closely with Kia on her family issues. We connected with Kia's grandmother, and were able to coach her through conversations with her family. There were a lot of tears and long talks, but we were able to reunite her with her grandmother.

After giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, Kia moved in with her grandmother, where she has been living ever since. Both her and her baby are doing well, and Kia remains close with Avenues.

 

Things We Noticed in 2017: A large portion of our youth are becoming homeless just after they turn 18 because mom or dad told them they have to leave. 

Goal for 2018: To strengthen and continue independent living skills.  Currently we host three classes a week on topics like independent living, getting and maintaining housing, financial literacy, cooking, parenting, building healthy relationships, education and career, and identifying good and bad decisions. We want to build youth participation so that every young person leaves Avenues with the skills they need to live independently.