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2007 NYFS Leadership Luncheon Set for May 2

On Wednesday, May 2, over 300 community leaders will meet at Midland Hills Country Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the NYFS Leadership Luncheon. Attendees will hear Cyndi Lesher, President and CEO within the Xcel Energy Companies, speak about how we can live a life that really matters to ourselves and to our communities. If you are interested in attending, please contact Sandra Bahr at 651-379-3422 or email specialevents@nyfs.org. The deadline to RSVP is April 25. This fundraising event will benefit youth and families served by NYFS

Report Shows That Investing in Youth Yields A Big Return

The first-ever formal economic estimate of the cost and benefits of youth mentoring and youth intervention programs was revealed last week. According to a joint study conducted by Wilder Research and the University of Minnesota, the state can expect a $4.89 return for every dollar spent on intervention services such as NYFS’ Diversion Program. According to the report, effective intervention and mentoring can yield long-term positive results such as reduced juvenile delinquency and crime, improved school attendance, higher grades, higher graduation rates and a decrease in involvement in drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

A joint statement issued by representatives from the Wilder Foundation and the University of Minnesota notes that “This is the first time that we in Minnesota have had a way to estimate the economic value of youth mentoring and youth intervention as programs that are critical for the future success of our children today.”

For more information about the report, please click on the following link: http://www.mnyipa.org/control.php?&link=modules/news/shownews.php&topgroupname=&groupname=news

Community Resource Bank Donation drive

It may be the shortest month of the year-but days in February can drag on for an eternity.

“Donations in February are often very small,” says Waid Johnson, Donations Coordinator at NYFS’ Penny Pinchers Thrift Store in the Mounds View Square Mall. The holidays are long gone and spring has not yet arrived. “No one is in the mood for spring cleaning yet, and the shelves can get pretty bare.” In past years, that meant staff have sometimes had to scramble to keep store shelves stocked.

Looking for a way to increase stock at the store, Johnson contacted Community Resource Bank in Roseville and was thrilled with the response. Employees were eager to pitch in and hold their first ever February clothing drive for Penny Pinchers. “They just jumped on board,” Johnson says.

Soon, a vanload of items were on their way to help restock the store.

Summer Camp

Each year, Northwest Youth & Family Services offers a series of summer camps for low-income youth living in local manufactured home communities. Many of these youth come from homes led by single parents or by two working parents who do not have sufficient time or resources to offer a camp experience to their children.

Through participation in the traditional camp experience of field trips, crafts and group activities, campers develop positive relationships with adults and their peers while developing key assets including: emotional intelligence, self direction, conflict resolution, anger management, problem-solving skills, community involvement, teamwork and self control.

NYFS is only able to offer the summer camp program through the generous support of our community partners. Over 80 percent of parents report that their child would not have been involved in a structured summer program if not for NYFS summer camp.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, or helping offset our expenses, please contact Sandra Bahr at 651-379-3422 or email sandra@nyfs.org.

Gloves and Boots Group offers Time and Talent to Seniors

College typically is a time for young adults to focus on themselves: studying, having fun and preparing for the future. But a select group of Bethel College students were looking for a little more-a chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of people in their community.

“The Gloves and Boots guys have just been great,” says Debbie Peterson, Senior Chore Coordinator at NYFS. Gloves and Boots is a group of young men at Bethel College who volunteer several hours every weekend to help their community. Often, they have donated their services to the Senior Chore program. “They do anything for our seniors-shampoo carpets, wash cupboards, move furniture, they even took down wallpaper. They’re just a nice group of guys.”

The NYFS Senior Chore program pairs youth and adults with seniors in need of household and outdoor work. The program allows seniors to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. Volunteers can sign up as individuals or entire groups of volunteers-like Gloves and Boots-can contact Debbie for more information about how they can help.

“Our seniors are so grateful for the help,” Peterson says.

If you are looking for an opportunity to make a real impact on the life of someone in your community, call Debbie at 651-379-3451 and learn about how you can sign up to be a volunteer in the Senior Chore Program. Or, if you are looking for a one-time volunteer opportunity, NYFS is hosting a Spring Cleanup for Seniors on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast and a pizza lunch will be served for volunteers.

NYFS Program Profile- Penny Pinchers

Customers know NYFS’ Penny Pinchers Thrift store as a great place to find high-quality, low-cost clothing and household items. But for hundreds of our community’s youth, Penny Pinchers has also been the site of their first job experience.

Currently located at the Mounds View Square Mall, the store serves as a work skills training site for youth ages 13-17. Some of the kids are looking for a first job in a friendly and supportive setting while others are at risk of failing in the work force due to multiple difficulties including learning disabilities and emotional and social deficits. The program serves about 100 youth each year. Those who successfully complete the 12-week session receive a stipend for their efforts. A shortened 8-week session is also offered during the summer.

“Every one of them is different, and everyone can learn and help out.” says Maureen Gustafson, the store coordinator at Penny Pinchers. Youth start the program learning the basics of becoming a reliable employee such as showing up on time and calling in when sick. Then they progress on to work skills such as customer service, merchandising, handling money and operating the cash register. By the end of the session, youth have learned about successful job search skills, how to interview, have created a resume and are ready to move on to a more permanent job in the regular work force.

“A lot of it is about self confidence,” adds Gustafson. “They learn that here.”

Success Story- Penny Pinchers

While Penny Pinchers Thrift Store is a job skills training site to about 100 youth a year, there is a particular group of youth who truly benefit from the extra time and attention the youth run business program can offer.

Each school year, three to four students in the Prep Program at Mounds View and Irondale High Schools work and learn at Penny Pinchers. These students have mental and physical disabilities that can make them hard to employ. They work at Penny Pinchers for 1 ½ hours, four days a week as part of their educational coursework. An aide from the school district comes with the kids to assist.

“We had one student – a girl with Down Syndrome – who was very shy and wouldn’t look at anyone when she came in here,” says Maureen Gustafson, the store coordinator at Penny Pinchers. “I tried to find things for her to do that would make her feel important.” Over time, the girl’s confidence increased and she started to flourish in her new environment. “She has made a 180 degree turnaround,” Gustafson says. “She’s so friendly now and an excellent student and my best helper.”

Gustafson credits a structured atmosphere coupled with a nurturing environment to the program’s success. “It doesn’t matter who they are, we can always find something for the kids to do. There is always something to learn.”

She adds that the program has taught her valuable lessons, too. “I’ve learned so much about patience through working with the kids,” she says. The program has taught her how to slow down and really pay attention to what each youth needs. “They’re here four days a week and we become a part of their lives.”

“I want the kids to feel a part of the store-that this is their store,” adds Gustafson. “And I think that comes through.”

April 23-29 is National TV Turnoff Week

Did you know that the average American watches 4 hours and 35 minutes of television each day? While TV can be a great tool-we can easily fall into the trap of watching too much. Consider reducing or eliminating television for just a week and see what happens. For more information check out the TV Turnoff Network at www.tvturnoff.org.

Contact  Information

Main number: 651-486-3808

Fax: 651-486-3858

Penny Pinchers Thrift Store: 763-783-3626

Kay Andrews, Executive Director: 651-379-3401 kay@nyfs.org

Jerry Hromatka, Associate Director: 651-379-3404 jerry@nyfs.org

Tim Gusk, Community Services Manager: 651-379-3449 tim@nyfs.org

3490 Lexington Avenue North, Suite 205     Shoreview, MN 55126
Tel: 651-486-3808  -  Fax: 651-486-3858
Copyright NYFS 2007
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