Blog
Successful Meet and Greet in ConneQT
ConneQT, a host home program of Avenues, provides LGBTQI+ youth culturally responsive housing within their community of choice. In ConneQT, youth choose which community member they live with and those community members provide housing and food, while Avenues staff provides wrap-around services and support. Youth determination is at the center of…
Read MoreNew Members Join Avenues’ Board of Directors
Avenues is excited to share that five new members have joined our Board of Directors! Over the next two months we’ll share a little about each member, starting with Mikal Nabors, Kopper Joi Overton, and Sam Blackwell. Please join us in welcoming our new members and read more about them…
Read MoreBarriers to Job Hunting
Kell is 20-years-old and living at Avenues. He’s happy to have a mailing address and a washer and dryer. He thinks Toni, a Youth Support Specialist on team, is “cool AF,” and wants Avenues to create programs for first time renters with no credit. He doesn’t believe there should be…
Read MoreHappy Holidays at Avenues
The holidays were made bright for youth at Avenues thanks to so many community partners and volunteers! In early November, youth and families in Avenues programs filled out holiday wish lists. Youth could be as creative and specific as they wanted as long as they stayed within a budget. Every…
Read MoreYouth Want Affordable Housing
Learn about youth homelessness from Justice, an 18-year-old living at Avenues. Justice’s interview highlights the impact of Minnesota’s housing and rental market. Currently, the Twin Cities have the worst housing shortage in the nation. On top of that, the average cost for an apartment in Minneapolis is over $1,500 a…
Read MoreOver the last two months Avenues has gotten to know Shannon*, a donor to Avenues who is passionate about supporting youth experiencing homelessness. She’s a successful I.T. professional, and happily married with two kids, step children, and grandchildren. She’s proud of her tight-knit family, and was encouraged by her daughter…
Read MoreTia’s Story
“It’s just like your own house if you were to stay here,” Tia* said about staying at Avenues. Tia moved into Avenues over the summer, and after only a month in the program she has advice for youth who may stay at Avenues in the future. “It’s going to feel…
Read MorePeer-to-peer Fundraise for Avenues this Give to the Max Day
Give to the Max Day, November 18th, is just around the corner! Give to the Max Day is a state wide giving event in Minnesota and an important fundraiser for Avenues. This year we’ll be raising money for vital supports, like Avenues health and wellness team. Your support can help…
Read MoreXcel Day of Service at Avenues
This month Xcel Energy volunteers spent time at our two shelter and transitional living programs, Minneapolis Avenues and Brooklyn Avenues. Volunteers spent an afternoon learning about youth homelessness and helping staff with yard work. They pulled weeds, mowed and raked, and prepped our community gardens for next year. Thanks to…
Read MoreSince mid-March, Avenues has been partnering with Hennepin Healthcare to deepen Avenues’ health and wellness care for youth. Through the partnership, Dr. Rhamy Magid, a pediatric doctor who also served on Avenues’ Board of Directors, is available to youth at Minneapolis and Brooklyn Avenues in addition to our on-site nurse,…
Read More