About the Campaign

• A leading resource for youth and families in the Twin Cities northern suburbs
(founded 1976).

• Providing a holistic, family-based approach to helping youth and families work
through problems and solve critical issues.

• Serving children and adolescents age 5 to 21, and their families.

• Reaching more than 3,500 people annually through a broad array of programs.

The new NYFS Discovery Center will be a 10,000-square-foot multi-purpose addition to Northwest Youth and Family Services’ existing building in Shoreview. Youth and families from up to twenty suburbs will utilize the Center on a regular basis. Features include a multi-use gym, conference room, a catering kitchen, and flexible space for meetings, and youth and family activities.

The Vision

To construct a new, multipurpose facility attached to the current Northwest Youth and Family Services building.

The Purpose

To provide space for physical and mental wellness activities, movement and art-based therapeutic sessions, youth and family events and community activities.

The Rationale

Work with youth and families is much more effective when traditional therapy techniques are augmented with creative and engaging options, including physical team challenges, art, drama, and dance.

Physical activity is key to physical and mental health and helps kids with emotional and behavioral problems relieve stress, regulate emotions, and redirect energy.

Many kids “learn by doing,” so a large, movement-friendly space is a powerful setting for cognitive, social and emotional learning.

Activity space is at a premium in the northern suburbs and more capacity is needed both for NYFS and community use. The concept is supported by many community stakeholders.

The new NYFS Discovery Center will benefit both NYFS participants and the community at large, filling a significant need for space and programming that promotes emotional, mental, and physical well-being for youth. The Discovery Center is expected to be used up to fourteen hours per day, and will help achieve the following outcomes:

• 90 youth attending day treatment (6th-12th grade) will harness the benefits of daily physical activity for improving focus and mood, mastering new social-emotional skills, and improving overall health and wellness.

• 500 counseling participants (youth ages 5-21 and their families) will benefit from new and engaging therapeutic settings to solve problems and build skills.

• 300 Diversion Program youth (ages 12-18) will heal strained relationships with their parents through shared positive physical activities, arts projects, and meals.

• 100 Discovery Program clients (ages 12-18) will explore visual arts, dance, physical challenges, and other positive activities in a context of wellness.

• 90 Summer Day Camp kids (ages 5-12) will visit the Discovery Center for enriching and asset-building activities.

• Approximately 9,000 youth sports participants (duplicated count) plus thousands of community members will use the Discovery Center for team practices, celebrations, art fairs, and community meetings.

• NYFS will realize a modest earned income stream to offset ongoing Discovery
Center operating costs.