Volunteers Help Youth Experiencing Homelessness at the Holidays

The nonprofit Avenues for Homeless Youth partnered with community members to collect presents for youth. They are planning an event to wrap them at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park this weekend.

A staff member with the organization says the gifts are so important.

“For somebody who is in a situation of crisis, who may not be able to be with their family, who is experiencing poverty, this can be a really tough time for them,” said Rachel Blair-Poladino with the nonprofit. “What it means for a young person to open up gifts that are given to them freely, the joy we see on their faces, their surprise is so heartwarming.”

Avenues for Youth estimates that 6000 youth are homeless every night in Minnesota.

See also: Avenues for Youth Looks for Host Homes for LGBTQ Teens

Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park