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Our History <br /> In 2011, a small group of women from Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Elk River <br /> began organizing charity drives benefitting Avenues for Homeless Youth located in North Minneapolis. <br /> Avenues provides transitional housing with support services to over 150 homeless youth, ages 16-21, <br /> each year. Donated supplies included pillows, hygiene products, household goods, interview clothing and <br /> more. As this partnership grew, their understanding of the tragic scope and ramifications of youth <br /> homelessness deepened. The numbers of Minnesota homeless young people were staggering, and <br /> continuing to increase.This, and the somber fact that there were only 108 shelter beds for youth in the <br /> entire state. <br /> Alarmed by the absence of housing and resources for homeless youth in our community, this core group <br /> of women began looking for local solutions. Originally the plan was to partner with Avenues in to develop <br /> a host home program in the Elk River area. However, the urgency to provide basic needs for potentially <br /> greater numbers of youths soon became apparent. After visiting Minnesota communities who had <br /> established successful programs using a drop-in resource center model, decisions were made to: <br /> 1. homeless. , . outh Pages 16 thru 211 within the ISD 728 Elk <br /> Establish_.is_ a drop-in resource center for , , ,Y___. <br /> River Area School District communities. This would align with expert advice to keep homeless <br /> youth in their own community and provide needed goods, services and opportunities. A <br /> community facility allows the young person to directly seek assistance and resources. <br /> 2. Expand this project to a community wide effort rather than a church based project.To be <br /> successful, partnerships with existing programs and services need to be developed and perhaps <br /> broadened. New programs will need to be developed if none currently exist. Community <br /> collaboration is essential. <br /> Our core team is now comprised of volunteer community members who are passionate about addressing <br /> youth homelessness in our community. Efforts are currently underway to identify and source needed <br /> goods and services, define policies and procedures, network with community organizations, and locate an <br /> appropriate facility. <br />