Thank you to Teresa and Joel Anderson, long-time advocates of Avenues for Youth, for becoming our very first Legacy Circle members! Avenues recently launched a Legacy Circle, which honors those who inform us that they are including Avenues for Youth in their estate plans. This commitment ensures that youth have safe and supportive homes and thrive long into the future.
Teresa and Joel on what inspired them to join the Legacy Circle:
“We don’t remember how we first became aware of Avenues for Youth, but once we heard about the work they did, we were eager to contribute. Both our son’s long-time partner and our daughter’s husband had been estranged from their families as teenagers (son’s partner due to his coming out as gay and son-in-law because he rejected his family’s religious practices). Although they managed to take care of themselves, they still bear emotional scars, and many youth on their own suffer much worse consequences.
After donating to Avenues for a few years, and touring the facility, we asked if it would be possible to make a larger planned gift such as a charitable annuity. We had made such gifts to other organizations, so we were able to provide some information and contacts to the Avenues staff. They followed through, and soon we were working with the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation to make it happen!
We encourage anyone who might have interest in any kind of planned giving, to look into it further. Besides helping a worthy organization like Avenues for Youth, most of the options provide tax benefits to the giver, and some even can provide interest income. It’s a win-win!“
-Teresa and Joel Anderson
Unwavering support of Legacy Circle members like Teresa and Joel leaves a profound legacy, helping youth experiencing homelessness to achieve their dreams!
To learn more about planned giving opportunities with Avenues, such as setting up a Charitable Gift Annuity, you can contact Melissa Cuff at mcuff@avenuesforyouth.org or visit avenuesforyouth.org/planned-giving.