Newsmakers: Help for Youth Experiencing Homelessness During Holidays
Brooklyn Avenues staff who work with young people experiencing homelessness say the holidays can be a tough time because of the emphasis on family.
“Usually during the holidays that’s what the messages are, so for a lot of people experiencing depression or any other significant mental health issues, these are triggering times,” said Rachel Hatch with Brooklyn Avenues. “It’s really important for us to give them a meaningful experience.”
The nonprofit just completed a gift drive and asks others to make a donation on its website. A donor is matching all gifts during the holiday season.
During the pandemic, the nonprofit did not have to change how it operates because youth already had separate rooms. Brooklyn Avenues is currently at capacity.
“Everyone at Avenues is really committed to ensuring that our young people have what they need to be successful,” said Hatch. “Right now at Avenues, all the young people are working. They are employed. Right now we have just two people enrolled in high school and the rest have graduated so we have a lot of success and a lot of happiness right now. We have people working toward having their own apartment, having their own vehicles, doing the things that young people do–all the normal things.”
Volunteers from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park wrap presents for youth at Brooklyn Avenues.
