YOUTH INVESTMENT FOUNDATION

YOUTH INVESTMENT FOUNDATION (THE ORGANIZATION), ESTABLISHED IN 1970, IS A CHRIST-CENTERED OUTREACH FOR HIGH-RISK YOUTH FROM SUBURBAN, URBAN, AND SMALL TOWN COMMUNITIES. THE ORGANIZATION'S BASIC PURPOSE IS TO EFFECT AND CREATE NEW ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR IN ALIENATED YOUTH THROUGH A GROWING FAITH IN CHRIST, SUPPORTIVE STAFF COUNSELING, AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO CREATE A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND BELONGING IN YOUTH BY EMPHASIZING SELF-WORTH, FORGIVENESS, AND FREEDOM FROM GUILT. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO DEVELOP ACCOUNTABILITY AND A BALANCED PERSPECTIVE OF AUTHORITY AND FREEDOM. THE ORGANIZATION REACHES AN ESTIMATED TWELVE HUNDRED YOUTH PER YEAR IN ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM SMALL GROUPS TO ONE-ON-ONE CONTACTS. YOUTH INVESTMENT FOUNDATION MAINTAINS AND SPONSORS A CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA TO MEET THIS PURPOSE. AT CAMP, THE ORGANIZATION SERVICES APPROXIMATELY FOUR THOUSAND YOUTHS FROM THE COMMUNITY ATTEND THE CAMP AS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE CAMP IS A WORK CREW, FOCUSING ON BUILDING YOUNG PEOPLE WHILE BUILDING THE CAMP. THE WORK CREW CONNECTS WITH THE YOUTH PARTICIPANTS AND FOCUSES ON BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM, A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT, CARING, AND A SENSE OF CONTRIBUTION. THE GETAWAYS ARE FOR YOUTH WHO ARE GROWING AND MATURING IN THEIR FAITH THROUGH TIMBER BAY (THE CAMP). THE GETAWAYS HAVE STAFF-LED WORKSHOPS AND DISCUSSIONS THAT FOCUS ON EVERYDAY LIFE AND FAITH. IN OUR SMALL GROUPS, PEERS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR STRUGGLES WORK IN A VARIETY OF GROUPS, INCLUDING BIBLE STUDY, DRUG AFTERCARE, AND CARE AND SHARE GROUPS WITH TRUSTED STAFF MEMBERS. IN ADDITION, YOUTH INVESTMENT FOUNDATION HAS COMMUNITY PROGRAMS IN VARIOUS MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, AND IOWA COMMUNITIES. THE ORGANIZATION IS PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIVIDUALS.