YMCA of the North Helps Youth at Risk to Overcome Barriers, Achieve Self-Sufficiency and Thrive

Yadmin — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 16:26:54 +0000

YMCA of the North Helps Youth at Risk to Overcome Barriers, Achieve Self-Sufficiency and Thrive Yadmin Fri, 01/30/2015 - 10:26

Forty-six percent of the homeless people in the state of Minnesota are age 21 and younger.

Youth homelessness has jumped 63 percent in Minnesota since 2009.
On any night in Minnesota, 4,000 youth are homeless, with less than 100 youth shelter beds available.*

The YMCA of the North (YGTC), a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, helps over 2,000 youth who are facing obstacles each year by helping them overcome barriers, achieve self-sufficiency and thrive.

The Y’s Youth Intervention Services team focuses on youth in transition or who are experiencing homelessness as well as those who have faced challenges due to foster care, involvement with the juvenile justice system and much more. They are innovatively creating connections with caring adults and community resources; building skills for success; and instilling hope for the future.

“Whether helping a youth receive academic help, find a safe home, secure employment or eat healthier, the Y provides the necessary services tailored to reach these youth,” said Matt Kjorstad, executive director at the Y. “Our programs use a strength-based approach designed to build upon each youth’s innate assets and instill self-sufficiency through personalized plans and renewed connection to community and resources.”

Kjorstad added how the Y provides the caring and understanding these youth need to become stronger and healthier; helps them feel better about themselves and the communities they live in; and ensures they have an enriching life and reach their potential.

The YMCA Youth Intervention Services team provides programs through core strategies that are tailored to meet the needs of communities and young people:

Life Coaching – individual, peer to peer and group mentoring; community-based case management
Community Outreach – school and street-based outreach, training, resource fairs and advocacy
Immediate Needs – youth resource line, food shelves, clothing, housing support and obtaining vital documents
Education and Employment – group-based education, academic support, post-secondary access, independent living skills, job readiness and internships
Enrichment – YMCA memberships and programs, YMCA day and overnight camps, pro-social activities, wilderness and outdoor engagement, and traditional and extreme sports

Listen to Gabby’s Story and discover how the Y Youth Intervention Services team has helped her overcome challenges she was facing and live a life that is happy, healthy and connected.

Listen to how the Y Street Outreach team is having a positive impact on youth.

As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, financial assistance is available to those in need to ensure youth can thrive. Learn more about the .

*Statistics from Wilder Foundation Research

YMCA CEO Glen Gunderson’s Perspective on Youth Homelessness

Yadmin — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 16:09:25 +0000

YMCA CEO Glen Gunderson’s Perspective on Youth Homelessness Yadmin Thu, 01/29/2015 - 10:09

How can we go help the 46 percent of the homeless people in the state of Minnesota who are age 21 and younger?

On any given night in Minnesota, 4,000 youth are homeless.

I can’t even fathom that number.

My kids, who are 10 and 12 years old, are bundling up in as many blankets as they want, and these kids don’t have any shelter.

I think about Donna* and her two children, who are 11 and 14.

She became homeless over the summer after a dispute with her landlord. A school staffer connected her to a YMCA Youth Intervention Services staffer. Donna and her kids were placed in a housing program and provided food, clothes and supplies for the school year.

On November 1, Donna moved into an apartment, and she’s started a new job.

We’re honored that we could help Donna, but we’re humbled that there are so many other children and families in need.

I think about all the kids in our community who don’t have even the most basic things: a roof over their head, a pillow under their head, a blanket and regular meals.

That shakes me up. That really shakes me up.

One of the things I think about in the Twin Cities, some of these problems are highly concentrated, geographically. You can drive to and from work and not see homelessness and almost have blinders on.

It’s easy to live here and not know it exists.

Until I joined the YMCA as a team member, did I understand that our community is challenged with violence and homelessness?

I was aware, but it wasn’t real until I started driving to our office in Minneapolis and spending time with our community leaders and YMCA staffers.

I’m learning from Stacy Sweeney, our homelessness prevention program director. She’s so inspiring to me.

She was homeless with a child.

I ask myself, “Would I have been able to be that resilient and be able to raise my young child and find my way? Could I do what she did?”

But Stacy is a part of the inspiration and solution. She’s giving back and helping others, and she’s right there on the ground. Young people can look at her not as someone who’s preaching from up high but someone who understands their experience.

Look at the cycle she was able to break.

That’s mission work. That’s real value.

Our children deserve better.

I’m concerned for their safety, character development, academic development - and that they are afforded any and every opportunity. With the right caring adults and with the right opportunities, any of these kids we’re serving can find their way.

*Name change to protect family’s identity

YMCA News Archive

YMCA of the North Helps Youth at Risk to Overcome Barriers, Achieve Self-Sufficiency and Thrive

Forty-six percent of the homeless people in the state of Minnesota are age 21 and younger.

YMCA CEO Glen Gunderson’s Perspective on Youth Homelessness