NYFS Breaks Ground on Discovery Center
Our dream of a new Northwest Youth & Family Services (NYFS) Discovery Center is one step closer to reality. On Nov. 4, over 60 community leaders, staff and friends gathered at our headquarters in Shoreview for a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction. 
Official construction of the new facility is now underway and making good progress according to President and CEO, Kay Andrews. “We are on track and on budget,” she says.
Scheduled for completion in 2009, the 10,000 square foot expansion to our existing building will create a new, multipurpose facility that will give our Northwest Educational & Therapeutic Services (NETS) participants a much-needed space for physical and mental wellness activities, movement and art-based therapeutic sessions as well as youth and family events. The facility will also be open to youth attending other NYFS programs such as: the Youth Diversion Program, the Discovery Initiative and Summer Camp and for the general public as well and mainly after school hours. It is estimated that over 10, 000 people will use the facility each year.
“Supporting and strengthening the mental and physical health of our young people today will insure that we have qualified leaders for tomorrow,” says Minnesota State Representative and campaign supporter Mindy Greiling.
To fully fund the Discovery Center, NYFS has launched a “1000 Champions for Kids” appeal in an effort to draw community support for the 2008-2013 Capital Campaign by seeking special and major gifts from local individual donors, businesses, civic groups and community leaders.
Together, with our donors, supporters and the leadership volunteers leading the Capital Campaign Committee, we will pool our financial resources to create a facility that benefits the entire community.
To learn more about the capital campaign, please call or email Adel Chamoun, Director of Development at 651-379-3421 or adel@nyfs.org.
To view pictures of the project, track our progress during construction, or donate online, please click here
2008 Year-End Gift Ideas
As you consider your year-end tax planning, we hope you will consider making good use of the income tax charitable deductions. Your 2008 year-end gift can significantly reduce your income taxes while providing meaningful support for Northwest Youth & Family Services (NYFS).
Giving is, of course, much more than tax brackets and charitable deductions. Your charitable gifts make an important difference in the lives of those receiving needed services from NYFS.
Here are some of the best 2008 year-end gift options:
Gifts of Cash - Simply by writing us a check by December 31. There is no easier way to garner a 2008 year – end charitable deduction!
Gifts of Stock – If you own an appreciated stock, it is almost more tax wise to contribute the stock to NYFS, rather than selling the stock and then donate the proceeds to us. By doing so, you can avoid paying any capital gains tax and receive income tax charitable deductions.
Gifts of Real Estate – A residence, vacation home, farm, acreage, or vacant lot may have so appreciated in value through the years that its sale would mean a sizeable capital gains tax. By donating this property to NYFS, you would avoid capital gain tax and receive charitable deduction for the full market value of the property.
Bequests - We hope you will consider a charitable bequest in your will to benefit us while you save estate tax dollars at the same time.
Gifts of 401K Retirement Plans - You can make a gift from your retirement plan without paying taxes or early-withdrawal penalty. Check with your financial advisor on the 2008 contribution limits and rules.
We would be pleased to provide you, your attorney, your accountant or your tax advisor with additional information and assistance. Please contact Adel Chamoun, at 651-379-3421 or at adel@nyfs.org
NYFS Bids Farewell to President Kay Andrews on Feb. 5
Please circle February 5, 2009 on your calendars and plan to join us at Midland Hills Country Club for a fun and memorable evening as we honor and celebrate the historic event of our retiring NYFS President, Kay Andrews.
Kay has been with NYFS since our beginning in 1976. For the past three plus decades of community service, Kay has not only touched the lives of thousands of youth but also has made a huge positive impact on their families as well.
This free event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will include appetizers, dessert and a cash bar. For more information, call Sandra Bahr at 651-370-3422 or RSVP at specialevents@nyfs.org.
You are welcome to post your comments on her blog.
NYFS Welcomes Adel Chamoun and Ken Pazdernik
As we prepare for a historic change in leadership in 2009, we are also happy to welcome two new senior management staff who will be a part of the Leadership Team which will help lead NYFS into the future.
Adel Chamoun
Adel Chamoun is the New Director of Development for NYFS. He is filling the position left vacant by Jerry Hromatka as he prepares to become the new President and CEO in February. Adel comes to us with 18 years of responsible and accountable experience working with non-profit organizations in the areas of fund development, leadership volunteer recruitment, communications, organizational management and program marketing.
His role will include planning, implementing and managing new development programs such as: donor relationships, special/major gift cultivation, solicitations and stewardships, new grant opportunities and corporate sponsors. He will also oversee media relationships, development budgeting, staff management, program marketing efforts and agency communications and publications.
Adel was recently the Executive Director of The Development Office at Risen Christ Catholic School and has also served as Director of Development and Marketing for the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation of the Minnesota Department of Education and Director of Development and Field Services for the American Diabetes Association.
Ken Pazdernik
Ken comes to NYFS as our first-ever Chief Financial Officer. As the agency has grown, so have our accounting and business management needs and the CFO position was recently created to fill that need.
He will oversee all financial and accounting activities for the organization including all aspects of financial compliance, strategy and systems. He will also consult on program and business management and oversee all areas of administrative support.
Ken was formerly the Chief Financial Officer for Tasks Unlimited, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that helps people with serious and persistent mental illnesses recover and live independently. He will take over for Fran Smith, our current Business Manager who has served NYFS for 28 years and is looking forward to her retirement.
Penny Pinchers Thrift Store Posts Record Sales 
Not all economic news is grim: for the first time in its history, NYFS’ Penny Pinchers Thrift Store has generated over $10,000 in monthly gross revenue. The rise in revenue is not a one-time fluke, says Store Manager Donna Siech. It is the result of a lot of hard work.
“Our sales have been steadily increasing since we up-sized the store last October,” Siech said. “We have spent a lot of time making it easier for our customers to find what they are looking for. All of these changes, along with the quality donations we are receiving, have contributed to the growth of our sales.”
Penny Pinchers Thrift Store sells high – quality, used merchandise including clothing, house wares and furniture. The store is run by NYFS staff and youth participating in our Youth Employment Training program (YET). While the store serves as the training site for our YET program, it has become an increasingly valuable shopping resource for many low- income families who are trying to stretch their dollars even further. All profits from Penny Pinchers Thrift Store are reinvested back into the YET program.
Quality donations allow the store to maintain its reputation for excellent merchandise at a great price. Our sincere thanks go to Medtronic employees whom recently completed a merchandise donation drive and to Linda Fenske from “What’s New in Gifts” who also donated brand new merchandise items to the store. For more information about the store, or how you can donate, please click on this link or call 763-783-3626.
Save the Date for the “Service to Youth Awards”
NYFS will soon announce the winners for this year’s “Service to Youth Awards”. While we patiently await the decision from our panel of judges, please mark your calendars and plan on joining us for the evening of February 12, 2009 at the Mounds View Community Center from 5:30-8:30. Formal invitations will be sent in the mail in mid-January but you can reserve your spot now by emailing sandra@nyfs.org
The “Service to Youth Awards” program is designed to honor people who provide outstanding service or activities for the benefit of youth in our community. Award recipients are chosen from five categories: law enforcement, educators, community volunteers, elected officials and youth. This will be the 23rd year NYFS has offered the award to members of our community. For more information about the award, or the banquet, please call Sandra Bahr at 651-379-3422.
Spend Twice as Much This Holiday Season – It Won’t Cost You a Dime
If we’re not careful, the holidays can drain our emotions and our bank accounts. The declining economy has left many gift-givers concerned about how to be generous and financially solvent at the same time.
“The mainstream media encourages families to have very high, very expensive expectations for the holidays,” says Rachel Cain, NYFS Director of Outpatient Mental Health Services. “Trying to meet these expectations can make us stressed out and unable to enjoy the season. Now is the time to ask friends and loved ones what parts of the holidays are really important to them. Then just do those things and forget about the rest.” Cain also recommends simplifying gift giving, and giving more of your time, by creating homemade coupon books that can be redeemed for services such as:
- changing the oil on a loved one’s car
- performing extra housework chores
- making a favorite meal
- cleaning a sibling’s room
Cain adds that these coupons are a very helpful tool for children. “Not only this is a more economical approach, but also it encourages kids to think about what they can do to be truly helpful to others.”
The National Institute on Media and the Family suggests spending twice as much time and half as much money as you can afford on your children this holiday season. Time spent with others can be a great gift to yourself, too. Studies show that a significant factor in lifelong happiness is having close-knit and long-term relationships with friends and family.
So this year, resolve to spend less time spent fighting for a parking spot at the mall and more time parked on the couch with friends and family. For more ideas on how to celebrate a fun, low-budget holiday season, click on this link.
Over 100 Help Make Fall Rake-A-Thon a Success
On October 25, over 100 volunteers spent the day sprucing up yards of 69 seniors’ homes during the fall Rake-A-Thon.
“Our volunteers make such a big difference in the lives of these seniors,” says Senior Chore Program Specialist Debbie Peterson. “We even had volunteers who went back to 12 homes that needed a second leaf raking.” The event is offered through the NYFS Senior Chore Program which helps older adults live in their homes for as long as possible with dignity and independence. While the Rake-A-Thon is a seasonal event, seniors can sign up for year round help with regular housekeeping chores, lawn maintenance, snow shoveling and other services. For more information, or to volunteer, please call Debbie Peterson, Senior Chore Program Specialist, at 651-379-3451.