Good news for the New Year
NYFS’ Capital Campaign recently received $75,000 from Deluxe Corporation Foundation, $50,000 from Hardenbergh Foundation and $35,000 from Target Corporation Foundation.
This means that we are getting close to raising 50% of our goal of $2,270,000 to fully fund construction of the Kay Andrews Discovery Center. Once we have raised that amount, we will be able to approach many more foundations for additional funds.
We are grateful for the outstanding support we have received from all our donors – especially in these difficult economic times. We couldn’t have done it without you. For more information about how you can contribute to the capital campaign, please click here or call Adel Chamoun, Director of Development at 651-379-3421.
Marilyn Carlson Nelson to speak at May 5 Leadership Luncheon
Internationally-recognized business leader Marilyn Carlson Nelson will be the guest speaker at the 2010 NYFS Leadership Luncheon scheduled for May 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Midland Hills Country Club.
In her role as Chairman and CEO of Carlson, a global group of companies providing travel, hotel, cruise, restaurant, and marketing services, Ms. Carlson Nelson is known around the world for her expertise in national and international business. She has recently authored a book, “How We Lead Matters: Reflections on a Life of Leadership.” She was named one of “America’s Best Leaders” by U.S. News and World Report.
Ms. Carlson Nelson will be available for book signing after her talk. There is no cost to attend the luncheon. For more information, or to reserve your spot, please contact Sandra Bahr at 651-379-3422.
NYFS names DELUXE Community Room
Northwest Youth & Family Services is pleased to announce the donation of $75,000 from the Deluxe Corporation Foundation to the Kay Andrews Discovery Center Capital Campaign.
In recognition of this generous donation, NYFS is naming one of the rooms in the recently completed building the “DELUXE Community Room.” “This contribution is just another example of how the Deluxe Corporation Foundation is committed to making this a great community to live and work” says Jerry Hromatka, President and CEO of Northwest Youth & Family Services. “We are honored to be considered worthy of this generous contribution and their ongoing support over the years as we strive to provide quality services in response to changing community needs.”
The Kay Andrews Discovery Center is a 10,000 square foot multipurpose facility that is used by students in NYFS’ Northwest Educational & Therapeutic Services (NETS) program and by other NYFS programs. It is also open for public rental after school hours. It is estimated that over 10,000 people will use the facility each year. For more information about the donation or NYFS programs and services, please call NYFS at 651-486-3808 or visit them on the web at www.nyfs.org.
NYFS Benefits from Tix for Tots program.
The Community services’ programs at NYFS have been partnering with Tix for Tots in order to receive free tickets to various entertainment venues in the Twin Cities. The mission of Tix for Tots is to provide children with experiences today to inspire the dreams, hopes and achievements of tomorrow. These experiences include professional and/or college athletic events, concerts, theater performances, museum exhibits, and more.
In the past year NYFS received over 50 tickets valued at $894. Tickets to the Science Museum, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota Timberwolves and University of Minnesota sporting events tend to be the most popular! The Discovery Program has mentors working one–to–one with teens, and these mentors have been able to go with teens to attend many of the events. Special thanks to Betsy Scheurer, the Tix for Tots program manager, for coordinating this wonderful partnership with NYFS.
For more information about Tix for Tots please visit their website at www.tixfortots.org
It’s still winter, we still need coats
Stores may be putting out their spring merchandise, but we know it will still be winter 
here in Minnesota for a few more months. That means many of our low-income families are still in need of good warm coats to make it through the season.
NYFS is now accepting donations of new and gently used winter coats and gear at its headquarters at 3490 Lexington Ave. N. in Shoreview. Donations may be dropped off in a donation bin placed on the second floor main reception area of NYFS. Donations are being distributed to needy families through NYFS Community Social Workers Program.
“These coats are really appreciated,” says NYFS Community Programs Director Tim Gusk. “You don’t know the value of a warm coat until you don’t have one.”
Coats will be collected through the end of February. For more information, please call NYFS at 651-486-3808.
NYFS honors nine for service to youth
On Feb. 11, community members from across the region joined NYFS in honoring the winners of the 
2010 Service to Youth Awards. The winners are:
Roger Braun
Won Chau
Barbara Grengs
Peter Lindstrom
Pat St. Peter
Ray Tandeski
Michelle Wheeler
Rand and Beth Whillock
The Service to Youth Awards 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 is the 24th year NYFS has offered the award to members of our community.
Senior Chore Program helps seniors live independently
“I'd never be in my home if it weren't for those folks,” says NYFS Senior Chore Program participant Nancy Nyberg.
A member of the program since 2006, she has received help through NYFS' Spring Clean Up and Fall Rake–A–Thon events as well as special one-time service projects such as the installation of safety rails in her bathroom. “They were a life saver,” she says. “I was constantly worried I was going to fall. Those grab bars are one of the best things they ever did.” Debbie Petersen, NYFS Senior Chore Program Coordinator, also arranged to have Nyberg's garage door fixed through a special grant of emergency funds through the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
Nyberg also likes to give back. “I donate items to Penny Pincher's - I think it's a great place,” she says, adding that it feels good to give back to an agency that has given her so much in return. “I certainly want to do what I can to help.”
We want to hear from you . . .
Has your mailing or email address changed recently? Is it going to change soon? Please contact Alex at alex@nyfs.org and let us know so we can update our records. We make every effort to keep our information as up to date as possible. With your help, we can do an even better job.
Thank you!
Sales are up at Penny Pinchers – and so is the need for donations
NYFS Penny Pinchers Thrift Store is thriving – sales are up 60 percent. 
“This is great news,” says Penny Pinchers Store Manager Donna Siech. “But it also means that we are in need of more donations to ensure we have enough quality items to meet our growing demand.”
Siech adds that children’s clothing, furniture and housewares are most in need at the moment. In addition to increasing store revenue, Siech has been steadily making contacts within the community to ensure the quantity and quality of donations to the store.
“We have been really lucky to connect with Caring Estate Sales and other companies like that. They help seniors find homes for their unneeded items as they downsize,” Siech said. Donations from these companies help Penny Pinchers carry a wider range of furniture and household goods. “People really need affordable furniture and we’re glad we’ve made this connection so we can help get it to them.”
Donations can be dropped off at the store, at NYFS headquarters or at several convenient locations. For a full list of drop off sites, please click here. A 25% off coupon for the store can also be downloaded from the NYFS web site by clicking here.
NYFS Wish List
Have an item you don’t want anymore but that someone else might need? Check out the NYFS Wish List and see if your trash might become our treasure!
In an effort to be fiscally responsible, NYFS staff has created a wish list of items that will help us do our jobs. The public is invited to donate an item directly to NYFS and receive a donation slip that can be used to record your donation at tax time. Any donation would be sincerely appreciated.
Our current needs include:
- Framed diversity artwork for NETS
- Treadmill (working and safe)
- Kitchen supplies (cutting boards, pots and pans, baking dishes)
- Canoe paddles
- Life jackets