Soup It Up Makes Special Donation to NYFS 
Soup It Up, Inc., a non-profit charity that benefits youth in our area, recently donated $5,000 to Northwest Youth & Family Services to help cover the costs of mental health counseling services for youth and families struggling with issues related to suicide.
Bob Morrison, Chair of the Soup It Up Beneficiary Committee, said that suicide awareness and prevention efforts have been a high priority of the organization, which is dedicated to supporting organizations that are directly involved with the future of our community and have a positive influence on youth. Since 2004, the organization has held its signature Soup It Up fundraiser and donated proceeds to support local efforts.
NYFS has collaborated with Soup It Up in the past and Morrison said that they were familiar with our mental health counseling services for at-risk youth and families. He added that they knew that many of our families struggle financially as well as emotionally. “We didn’t want money to get in the way of people who needed help,” he said.
Youth and families who are not in an immediate crisis situation, but are in need of counseling services related to suicide awareness and prevention, should contact Soup It Up directly at 651-647-0001 to determine if they qualify for this specific assistance. Anyone experiencing an immediate crisis should contact 911 immediately or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
NYFS also offers a wide variety of mental health counseling services on a sliding fee scale for low income families. For more information, please contact us at 651-486-3808 or visit us on the web at www.nyfs.org.
Youth Employment Training Program helps Youth Find Job in Difficult Economy
The Youth Employment Training Program at Penny Pinchers Thrift Store in Mounds View is dedicated to preparing hard to employ youth for success in the work place. Sometimes, we’re a little too successful.
NYFS Employment Specialist Jo Sander highlights the story of Vance Pryne, a recent graduate of the program. She notes that he is a great example of how this program helps youth gain real world work skills.
“I first met Vance when he applied to work for us in the spring,” Sander says. “He said he needed to break out of his shell more so he can have better work skills and also make some new friends.”
Over the course of the 8-week training program, Pryne worked hard, gained a lot of skills and met all of his goals. After completing the initial program, he was asked to come back to Penny Pinchers and work as a shift leader. During this time, Pryne also participated in a NYFS-sponsored Youth Employment Seminar. There he learned how to write resumes and practice interviewing for a job.
“He was a good employee,” Sander says. Maybe even a little too good. “A few weeks into his next session, Vance had an interview with Taco Bell and was offered a full time summer position.” While he wasn’t able to finish out his term at the store, Sander was happy to learn that he had found employment outside of the program, especially since many of his peers are still looking for a job this summer. Teen unemployment is currently at 22% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the highest rate of teen unemployment since 1992.
“It was bittersweet for us here at Penny Pinchers because we lost a great employee but we wish him the best and are proud of him!”
Kay Andrews and Tammy Pust Honored by North Suburban Gavel Association
NYFS would like to congratulate former NYFS President Kay Andrews and current board member Tammy Pust who were recently honored by the North Suburban Gavel Association for their years of leadership and volunteer service to the community.
Julie Larson, Executive Director of the Roseville Visitors Association and Gavel Club member cites Andrews’ “gift of community involvement” as one factor in the organization’s decision to honor her.
Andrews was nominated by Ramsey County Commissioner Jan Parker, who also mentioned Andrews’ long history of work on behalf of others as a civil rights leader at Macalester College, as founder of the Cannon Valley Counseling and Learning Problems Center in Northfield, and for her 33 years of service at NYFS. That service continues today with her volunteer fundraising support of NYFS new Discovery Center.
Pust received the honor in recognition of her commitment to serving the city of Roseville in many capacities. Among her many volunteer activities she is currently a Roseville City Council member, member of the Roseville Housing and Redevelopment Authority and served as a pro bono attorney for the North Suburban Senior Council. She is also an active member of the NYFS 1,000 Champions for Kids Campaign.
NYFS would like to recognize Tammy and Kay for their achievements. They are just two reasons why our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family.
We are so grateful that they make room in their busy schedules to lend their time and talents to NYFS.
Discovery Center Nearing Completion
The concrete floor is poured, walls are being painted, and people are already asking about how they can reserve a spot for their event at the new NYFS Kay Andrews Discovery Center this fall.
“We’re on time and on budget,” says NYFS Building Operations Manager Phil Hanson. “We’ll be ready for our NETS students in September and the building will be open for rental later this fall.” Hanson adds that the project has been able to take advantage of new environmentally friendly technologies, including porous asphalt paving around the outside building that will allow stormwater runoff to drain directly through the pavement.
The 10,000 square foot Discovery Center is a 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.
To date over $700,000 has been committed to this project through the generous donations and pledges of individuals, businesses, foundations and NYFS.
A grand opening event will be scheduled this fall. To get a sneak peak of the new building, or donate online, please click here.
Keller Williams Realty Lends a Helping Hand to Local Seniors 
Over 20 volunteers from Keller Williams Realty partnered with NYFS’ Senior Chore Program to help area seniors get their homes ready for summer. The event was part of the May 14th Keller Williams RED Day (Renew Energize and Donate), a coordinated effort among thousands of employees from across the US and Canada who dedicate their time and talents to helping others.
Program coordinator Debbie Petersen said volunteers performed many tasks that seniors are no longer able to do for themselves such as installing storm windows, cleaning out gutters and raking.
“This is the first time they have volunteered for us and they were a huge help.” Petersen added that NYFS recently held its own Spring Clean Up event for seniors, but the need for help is always greater than the number of volunteers. “We were very grateful for what they did.”
For more information about Senior Chore Services, please call Debbie Petersen at 651-379-3451.
Summertime is a Perfect Opportunity for . . . Television?
Summer is great time for Minnesota families to get outdoor and bike, swim, fish, camp and just plain enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.
But the pressures of modern family life, including managing hectic work schedules on an increasingly tight budget, can mean that many families are spending too much time in front of the television. According to the Nielsen ratings service, children’s television viewing increases by over 150 percent during the summer months.
“Sometimes, it is just too easy to turn on the t.v.,” says NYFS Director of Mental Health Rachel Cain. She notes that there are many valid temptations to turn it on: to quiet squabbling siblings, to serve as a low-cost entertainment for older kids who are able to stay at home when their parents work, or out of just plain exhaustion at the end of the day.
But it is important to resist the temptation, she says. “Summer is a great time for family activities. It is a chance to reconnect and build relationships with each other,” Cain adds that families don’t have to spend a lot of money to hang out together. “You don’t have to go to Disneyland to make a memory.”
Cain suggests reading together, visiting local museums, working out at the gym or just playing together in the park as simple ways to strengthen family bonds. “Even doing chores together is a great way to get together as a family,” she says, noting that the long-term benefits of family togetherness far outweigh the short-term benefit of a little t.v.-induced peace and quiet.
“Children who relate well with their parents on a day-to-day basis are more likely to open up to their parents when they are in trouble,” she says. Cain notes that this is especially true for teenagers. “You have to lay the communication groundwork early, and keep at it. Otherwise, when a crisis comes, you can’t expect your teenager to suddenly start talking to you.”
Cain adds that not all television is bad. “Family movie nights can be a great activity.” But a 150 percent increase in viewing over the summer months is just too much and can be avoided by a little extra planning. “The benefits can last a lifetime.”
It’s Not Too Early for A Taste of Northwest
You may not be thinking about fall, but here at NYFS, we are busy planning for the biggest and best “Taste of Northwest” ever. Proceeds from this fundraiser are used to support our programs and services.
So while you’re out and about this summer, please consider donating a few items to our silent auction. All donations are tax deductible. Requested items include: sports memorabilia, theater and sporting event tickets, sporting goods, artwork, jewelry, children’s toys, bath & beauty products, gift certificates, quilts, wine or specialty beers, and themed baskets.
For more information, please contact Sandra Bahr at 651-379-3422 or email sandra@nyfs.org.