One of the ways that the Twin Cities’ community is addressing homelessness experienced by GLBT young people is through the GLBT Host Home Program of Avenues for Homeless Youth, which offers a transformative and community-based approach to providing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth with safe homes.  As volunteers of the program, adults open their homes and their hearts to young people who need and are looking for a healthy and nurturing connection.  If you are interested in hearing more about this community building program, please come to one of the following informational meetings:

Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 6-8pm 

OR

Thursday, February 9, 2012, 6-8pm

@ Midtown YWCA

2121 East Lake Street

Minneapolis, MN 55407

www.ywca-minneapolis.org

Come learn about the history of the GLBT Host Home Program and about the application and screening process for potential volunteers. You will also have an opportunity to hear from hosts who shared their homes with youth.  

Questions?  

Call Raquel (Rocki) at Avenues for Homeless Youth: 612-522-1690, ext. 110 or email at rocki@avenuesforyouth.org. 

And if you haven’t already, please ‘like’ our

GLBT Host Home Program Facebook page!

But we need your help to spread the word!

Who are the FosterClub All-Stars?  They are a team of young people aged 18-24 who will be selected to serve a summer internship with FosterClub, and who will assist in planning and facilitating Independent living Teen Conferences and other foster care and child welfare events held throughout the country.

Youth will be selected to represent diversity in foster care experiences, education, current paths (college, employment, job corps, etc.), race & ethnicity and geographical locations. All applicants must have spent time in the foster care system. Each will demonstrate leadership potential and the ability to connect with peers.  This internship is as challenging as it is rewarding!

We strongly encourage you to spread the word about the All-Star opportunity!  Help spread the word to your ILP providers, youth boards, or to young adults whom you think may qualify or whom you know personally.  I have attached a flier that you can distribute to youth, alumni and those who work with young people. 

The FosterClub All-Star Application is due by February 15, 2012. 

 ‘Want to know more?  See the attached flier, call FosterClub at 503-717-1552, or email me Tobias09@fosterclub.com (I was an All-Star in 2009 and would be happy to provide you with my first-hand perspective).

Cordially,

Tobias Rogan, 2009 FosterClub All Star

Tobias09@fosterclub.com

Office: 503-717-1552

Cell: 989-889-6044

41 North 12th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403

612.252.1200

(The YouthLink building will be closed on Monday, January 16th, 2012.)

EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY 3-8:00 pm

• Drop-in Center open, basic needs supplies, dinner @5:30 pm, resource and referrals by drop in staff.

Mondays

Every Monday:

3:30 – 6:00 pm

• Need legal counsel and advice? Youth Law Clinic available to meet one on one.

4– 5:00 pm–

• OUT! group with Karissa (LGBTQ support group)

5-7:00 pm–

• Teachers and tutors available for GED prep and homework help.

Special Opportunities

Monday January 9th @ 6pm–

• Time management and goal setting with Y-ILS. Preregistration is required.

Tuesdays

Every Tuesday

12– 3:00pm

• Concerned about your chemical use? Dylan is available to help!

3– 6:00pm

• Acupuncture with Jamie

3-6:00 pm

• Need to talk? Got Drama? Walk-in counseling with Shelly

3:30– 7:00 pm

• Clinic services provided by Health care for the Homeless

4– 7:00 pm

• Teachers and tutors available for GED prep and homework help

Special Opportunities

Jan. 3rd, 17th and 31st 3:30– 5pm-

• Beth is available to help educate and support new parents.

Jan. 10th @ 4:30pm

• Bingo, cake and ice cream in celebration of everyone born in January!

Jan. 10th, 24th and 31st @ 4pm

• Music project with Kulture Klub

Jan. 10th and 24th @ 3:30-5 pm–

• Child and Teen check up information with Ana.

Jan. 17th @ 4pm

• OPEN MIC night with Kulture Klub in the drop-in

Wednesdays

Every Wednesday

10-6:00 pm

• Need help with Medical Assistance? Food Stamps? Tina is available to help!

3-5:00 pm

• GA for Minors (16-17 yr. olds) Walk in hours with Lindsay

3:30-6:00 pm- We Want You Back

• Staff available for Minneapolis Public School enrollment.

Special Opportunities

Jan. 4th @ 4pm

• Marble Paper art activity with Kulture Klub

Jan. 11th @ 6 pm

• Lion King with Kulture Klub

Jan. 18th @ 4pm

• Graphite Embossing with Kulture Klub

Jan. 25th @ 4pm

• Intro to Knitting with Kulture Klub

Thursdays

Every Thursday

11-1:00 pm

• Need to talk? Got Drama? Walk-in counseling with Shannon.

3:30-6:30

• Heidi is available for healthcare concerns

4-5:00 pm Group Time

•  SISTERS group
•  Men’s group

4-7:00 pm

• Teachers and tutors available for GED prep and homework help.

Special Opportunities

Jan. 5th, 12th, 19th and 26^th @ 6 pm

• Out There performance at the Walker Art Center (tentative)

Jan. 19th @ 3pm

• Learn more about the GLBT Host home program and Avenues for Youth

 Queertime Third Thursday

Jan. 19th @ 4pm

• LGBTQ button making in the drop-in

Fridays

Every Friday

4 pm

• Arts in Action will be holding informational sessions for the Healthy People project. Learn how you can be a Health Ambassador!

Youth Opportunity Center

Check out our Opportunities …

Hennepin County Rule 25/ Chemical Health Assessments

• Youth interested in discussing their chemical use or wanting to get into treatment can make an appointment by calling the Welcome Center staff at 612.252.1203 or walk-in to see if an appointment is available. If leaving a message, please provide personal contact and insurance information if available.

Hennepin County Eligibility Supports

• Youth needing to complete intake applications for all public assistance programs (cash, food support, health care and emergency) can come in every Wednesday between 10am-6pm. Call 612.252.1203 to make an appointment. Walk-ins may also be available.

YMCA Independent Living Skills Classes

• Workshops designed to assist youth ages 16-20 in preparing for a life of independence. Workshops happen 2nd Monday of every month from 6-8pm. Interested youth should call Fatima Muhammad at 612.728. 7620 for more details. SPACE IS LIMITED!

Minneapolis Public Schools– “We Want You Back”

• Provide information to students regarding educational services, options, possibilities and opportunities. Staff can help with enrollment and obtaining school records.

Health Care for the Homeless

• The clinic can assess and treat all conditions that do not require emergency services. Services include treatment of general illnesses such as colds, flu and fever, short term management of chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma, family planning services including birth control, screening for sexually transmitted diseases, physicals and immunizations. No appointment or insurance is needed.

MN Visiting Nurse Agency (MVNA)

• MVNA provides information through groups and one on one conversation on topics essential to the health and well being of pregnant and parenting youth and families.

On-site Public Health Nurse

• The Public Health nurse through Health Care for the Homeless ensures that health care needs are being met at the Youth Opportunity Center. This means helping with insurance, finding health care providers and helping clients identify their own health priorities. The PHN can also provide HIV and STD testing, pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling and health education.

Children’s Dental

• Provides on-site dental care the 4th Tuesday of every month to clients with insurance or in the process of getting insurance. Calling 612.746.1530 ext. 211 to make appointments

Kulture Klub Collaborative

• Art opportunities and programming designed for young people at ALL levels of artistic ability and experience.

* This list is just a sample of the amazing partners you will find at the Youth Opportunity Center*

Questions about the Youth Opportunity Center? Do you have feedback or comments you would like to share?

Please call or email Marney Thomas

612.252.1226

thomas@youthlinkmn.org

www.youthlinkmn.org

http;//sharepoint.yocminneapolis.org

Username: yldomain\ yocuser

Password: yocminneapolis

NOV2011 Youth OC Calendar

Youthlink can be found at:
41 North 12th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403-1325

Questions about the Youth Opportunity Center? Do you have feedback or comments you would like to share?

Please call or email Marney Thomas
612.252.1226
thomas@youthlinkmn.org
www.youthlinkmn.org

http://sharepoint.yocminneapolis.org

Username: yldomain\ yocuser
Password: yocminneapolis

Please note: This scholarship is different from the Give US Your Poor Beacon’s Hand Scholarship which is just for a qualified Mass. student that has experienced homelessness to attend the University of Massachusetts Boston for 4 years.)

For the second time in two years, in partnership with Give US Your Poor, the Association is reaching out directly to students who have experienced homelessness to invite them to apply for their scholarship programs.

The Horatio Alger Association provides scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. National scholarships are awarded at $20,000. Scholarships in each state are also awarded at various amounts.

Applications for Fall 2011 may be accessed online at https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships from August 1 until October 30, 2011.

We know that a quality education is one way to prevent and to end the cycle of homelessness, as it can help with social networks, career development and life skills. By offering scholarships to students who have experienced homelessness, we hope to play a key role in empowering students to pursue their dreams and to create a fulfilling life. We are immensely grateful to the Horatio Alger Association and proud to partner with them in assisting hard-working, homeless high school students to attend college and follow their dreams.

Who is eligible

To be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

• enrollment full time as a high school senior, progressing normally toward graduation in the Spring/Summer 2012, with plans to enter college no later than the fall following graduation;
• a strong commitment to pursuing and completing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution located in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution. Idaho, Louisiana, and Montana state scholarship recipients must pursue and complete a degree at specific colleges and universities. Please see the individual program description for those requirements);
• critical financial need ($50,000 or less adjusted gross income per family is preferred, if higher explanation must be provided);
• involvement in co-curricular and community activities;
• demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
• a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
• United States Citizenship.

How to apply

Click here to access the Horatio Alger Association website online application and click on the Apply Now button in the photo.