AVENUES FOR YOUTH

DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, AVENUES FOR YOUTH MET THE INCREASED NEED WE ARE SEEING IN OUR COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING MORE YOUNG PEOPLE THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WHILE CONTINUING TO OFFER STRONG PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. AVENUES BROKE GROUND ON A NEW HOUSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS WHICH IS SLATED TO OPEN IN LATE FY26. THIS NEW BUILDING WILL PROVIDE MORE A SPACE FOR THE CURRENT NORTH MINNEAPOLIS SHELTER AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT IS MORE DIGNIFIED, TRAUMA-INFORMED AND SUSTAINABLE. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW ADD EIGHT AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS TO THE HOUSING MIX THAT AVENUES OFFERS AND ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL GROWTH OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS.DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, AVENUES OPERATED FOUR PROGRAMS IN THE TWIN CITIES THAT SUPPORTED 338 YOUTH, INCLUDING YOUNG FAMILIES. WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AN AVENUES PROGRAM, YOUTH NO LONGER NEED TO PUT THEIR ENERGY INTO SURVIVAL. WITH SHELTER AND ALL BASIC NEEDS MET, THEY CAN WORK WITH AVENUES STAFF TO ADDRESS OTHER IMMEDIATE ISSUES, FOCUS ON IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT, AND PURSUE THEIR PERSONAL GOALS FOR EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RELATIONSHIPS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, LEARNING LIFE SKILLS AND STABLE HOUSING.

IN AVENUES FOR YOUTH'S CONNEQT HOST HOME PROGRAM MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY OPEN THEIR HOMES TO YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER-BASED INITIATIVE THAT MATCHES YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AGES 16 - 24 WITH VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY RECRUITED, SCREENED AND TRAINED BY AVENUES. YOUTH MAY STAY WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR A FEW NIGHTS OR UP TO A YEAR.CONNEQT SUPPORTS YOUTH WHO IDENTIFY AS GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUEER. THEIR HOSTS ARE LGBTQ THEMSELVES OR ALLIES. THE PROCESS OF MATCHING YOUTH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS YOUTH-DRIVEN. WHILE LIVING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, YOUTH RECEIVE ALL BASIC NEEDS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THEIR CASE MANAGER AND OTHER SPECIALISTS ON OUR TEAM TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THEIR LONGER-TERM PERSONAL GOALS. THE HOSTING ARRANGEMENT IS OFTEN LIFE-CHANGING, BOTH FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND YOUTH. THE OVERALL GOAL IS TO PROVIDE YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH THE STABILITY, SUPPORT AND COACHING THEY NEED SO, WHEN THEY LEAVE THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS' HOMES, THEY HAVE A VISION FOR THEIR FUTURE AND ARE BUILDING THE SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS NEEDED TO PURSUE THAT VISION. SIMULTANEOUSLY, WE ARE FOSTERING CONNECTIONS AND BUILDING COMMUNITY. DURING FY25, CONNEQT SUPPORTED TEN YOUNG PEOPLE IN HOST HOMES. ONE YOUTH MOVED OUT DURING THE YEAR, INTO THEIR OWN STABLE LIVING ARRANGEMENTS. ANOTHER 31 LGBTQ-IDENTIFIED YOUTH RECEIVED INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT BUT DID NOT LIVE IN HOST HOMES DURING FY25. ADDITIONALLY, 54 YOUTH RECEIVED SUPPORT THROUGH DROP-IN AND OUTREACH.