The Bridge for Youth

November is National Runaway Prevention Month, a public awareness campaign designed to “Shine a Light” on the experiences of runaway and homeless youth that too often remain invisible. It is also an opportunity to spotlight the resources available to support youth in crisis throughout the nation. As part of the campaign, individuals, organizations and communities across the nation are encouraged to work together to prevent youth homelessness.

Nightly in Minnesota, over 6,000 youth experience homelessness. These young people are not homeless by choice. The disparity between the available resources and the number of youth needing assistance is stunning. The latest Wilder Research survey showed a 10% increase in homelessness since 2015 and the highest number of homeless in the 30-year history of the study. Youth make up nearly half (46%) of the homeless population in Minnesota.

“Nationwide, more than 1.6 million young people are homeless on their own. Growing up is hard enough without having to face it alone and on the streets, vulnerable to predators and violence. November is National Runaway Prevention Month and as the Executive Director of the Bridge, I know that if we can intervene early and prevent youth from running away, we can prevent youth from joining the 1.6 million youth who are homeless. Please join me in re-tweeting, sharing, promoting and talking about this message and the importance of helping to prevent youth from running away. Raise your voice, raise awareness, raise the hope of a positive future for all youth.”

– Michelle Basham, Bridge for Youth, Executive Director

Since 1970, The Bridge for Youth has provided emergency shelter and other vital services for runaway and homeless youth. Open 24 hours a day, The Bridge is the only direct-access shelter for youth under 18 years old in the Twin Cities. At the core of all our programming is preventing and ending youth homelessness. The youth we serve have experienced significant disparities in securing their basic needs, from shelter and safety to health care and educational opportunity. Last year, 28% of youth seeking shelter at The Bridge had been hospitalized for mental health issues, 26% had inflicted self-harm, and 19% had attempted suicide. Over 75% of those served by The Bridge were youth of color.

About The Bridge for Youth:

The Bridge for Youth is a safe place for those with no one to turn to and nowhere to go. Founded in 1970, The Bridge for Youth serves homeless, runaway, and abandoned youth, ages 10-17. Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency and long term shelter, individual and family counseling, and weekly support groups. www.bridgeforyouth.org

Contact:

Christina Woodlee, Associate Director

612-230-6645

c.woodlee@bridgeforyouth.org

Schedule your gift anytime until Thursday, November 14.

All funds raised during Give to the Max Day 2019 go towards providing resources for runaway and homeless youth in our community. Your gift makes a huge difference.

Contact Tim Mercure, Development Manager, if you have any questions about Give to the Max Day or about The Bridge for Youth.

Thank you for your generosity!

Cheniqua Johnson was born and raised in Worthington, Minnesota. She is a first-generation, TRIO college graduate. She received her B.S. in family social science from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities College of Education and Human Development. Currently, she works as District Outreach Coordinator and Scheduler for the first African American Hennepin County Commissioner, Angela Conley. She has spent the last five years in public service having served as the Legislative Correspondent for the former Congressman, now Attorney General, Keith Ellison.

Geoff Jones is a veteran marketing communications professional, currently serving as Marketing and Communications Director for Minneapolis Community and Technical College. A Chicago native, Geoff relocated to Minnesota to attend Carleton College where he received his BA in Fine Arts, and stayed upon discovering the Twin Cities’ abundant career opportunities and rich performing arts community. His heart for working with youth is reflected in his tenure as a student club advisor for 12 years and as former board VP at Project Foundation (now Avenues for Homeless Youth).

Gloria Stamps-Smith is an attorney in the Hennepin county Attorney’s office where she has been for the last 25 years. She has practiced in the area of juvenile prosecution and spent the last eight years in Adult Services/Mental Health Court. Her concern for homeless youth are the direct product of the young people she encountered for many years as a juvenile prosecutor and in mental health court.

Inspector Amelia Huffman commands the 5th Precinct which encompasses the 20 neighborhoods in the southwest corner of the city, bounded by Interstate 35 W on the East, Interstate 94 on the North and the city limits on the West and South. Inspector Huffman has a long history with the 5th Precinct, working there in her first assignment as a patrol officer, as a member of the Community Response Team and as a shift lieutenant. She brings a wealth of experience to her role as a board member.

Michael Lehan is a graduate of Hopkins High School and attended the University of Minnesota, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Family Social Science. He is in his fifth year as Osseo Senior High’s principal and has quickly developed a reputation as a student-centered principal focused on strong leadership and innovation. He is extremely passionate about paying-it-forward to those who are facing the same types of challenges he encountered as an African American youth in foster care. Prior to his career as an educator, Lehan played professional football in the National Football League for six years. Most recently, Michael was named High School Principal of the Year for the Hennepin Division by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).

Nightly in Minnesota, over 6,000 youth experience homelessness. These young people are not homeless by choice. Despite advances in legislation and societal attitudes, LGBTQ+ youth continue to be disproportionately represented among the homeless – with nearly 40% of homeless youth identifying as LGBTQ+. Currently, 23% of youth served at The Bridge self-identify as LGBTQ+ at intake (an increase of 3% from last year). This percentage also rises as youth feel safe disclosing later during service participation. Over 80% cite family conflict/household dynamics as a critical issue. LGBTQ+ youth in crisis need a safe place to stabilize and work through issues, especially youth who are not comfortable being out at home or school.

“The Bridge was founded on the idea that every youth deserves a safe place to be in times of crisis. Today we are proud to further our inclusion efforts specifically for LGBTQ+ homeless youth through enhanced program delivery, increased participation at community events like National Coming Out Day and leadership development for direct care staff.” – Michelle Basham, Executive Director

To meet increased numbers of LGBTQ+ youth turning to The Bridge, and to address the increasingly complex challenges they face, The Bridge was selected to be the recipient of multi-year funding from the United Way Arise Project to focus on preventing and ending LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. This funding will expand services with dedicated staff specifically for LGBTQ+ youth case management; promote LGBTQ+ youth leadership and continue to bring youth voice into LGBTQ+ program design; and increase the cultural competency of staff and volunteers in effectively meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ youth.

As a means to further inclusivity efforts aligned with program implementation as well as leadership development amongst direct care staff, The Bridge is proud to announce Warlance Miner, Diversity Specialist, was selected to participate in the American Express Leadership Academy. This highly competitive program is designed to equip high potential emerging leaders from the nonprofit sector to become successful executives. In partnership with the Stonewall Community Foundation, this year the Academy has invited participants specifically from organizations focused on LGBTQ+ issues.

“At the Bridge for Youth our vision is to serve as a premier resource for diverse populations of youth and families needing support. The American Express Leadership Academy is an opportunity to advance inclusion efforts for LGBTQ+ communities, nation-wide. As a Gay, Native American Man, I understand the fight for equality still continues and I intend to apply all knowledge gained to further provide resource for LGBTQ+ identifying youth.” – Warlance Miner, Diversity Specialist

About The Bridge for Youth
The Bridge for Youth is a safe place for those who no one to turn to and nowhere to go. Founded in 1970, The Bridge for Youth serves homeless, runaway, and abandoned youth, ages 10-17. Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency and long term shelter, youth and family counseling, and support groups. www.bridgeforyouth.org

Contact
Christina Woodlee, Associate Director
612-840-5522
c.woodlee@bridgeforyouth.org

Photo: Warlance Miner at Quorum’s 2019 National Coming Out Day Luncheon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – BRIDGE FOR YOUTH TO OPEN FIRST SITE-BASED PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS PREGNANT PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN IN HENNEPIN COUNTY

Nightly in Minnesota, over 6,000 youth experience homelessness. These young people are not homeless by choice. Minnesota has fewer than 200 emergency shelter beds statewide for youth. This disparity between the need and the number of youth needing assistance is stunning.  More concerning is that more than one-third of these youth – over 2,000 – are pregnant or parenting, and in Minnesota there are less than 10 site-based units designated as age-appropriate and safe, specifically for homeless teen parents.

To address an urgent and growing need for housing for homeless pregnant and parenting youth, on April 1 2019, the Bridge will launch Marlene’s Place.  Once opened, Marlene’s Place will serve five  homeless pregnant and/or parenting youth ages sixteen up to twenty years old and their dependent children up until age three.

“Nearly 45% of homeless youth in Hennepin County are parenting and the Bridge is pleased to be opening the first site-based program in Hennepin County for parenting youth to respond to this overwhelming need.” – Michelle Basham, Bridge for Youth, Executive Director

Providing comprehensive programming – including housing, access to healthcare, parenting education, experiential life-skills coaching and education; Marlene’s Place will address the unique needs of homeless teen parents and their young children by providing a supportive environment that allows them to heal, learn, grow, and thrive.

About The Bridge for Youth

The Bridge for Youth is a safe place for those with no one to turn to and nowhere to go. Founded in 1970, The Bridge for Youth serves homeless, runaway, and abandoned youth, ages 10-17. Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency and long term shelter, youth and family counseling, and support groups.

Contact

Christina Woodlee, Associate Director

612-230-6645

c.woodlee@bridgeforyouth.org

Our newest Annual Report is available – check it out here. 

Christina Heineken Woodlee, Program Director

Christina Heineken Woodlee, Program Director

We are excited to welcome Christina Heineken Woodlee as the newest member of our Executive leadership. Christina has more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit administration and development. She has developed nationally recognized donor engagement programs – Women United, Emerging Leaders and Arise Project – for United Way. She spent 4 years as the Director of Leadership Affinity Groups at United Way of Central New Mexico, and 5 years as the Manager of Leadership Giving at Greater Twin Cities United Way. Prior to joining United Way, she worked at Discovery Creek Children’s Museum in Washington, DC, as the Special Events and Board Relations Manager. Most recently, Christina was the Director of Donor Relations at Perspectives Inc. in St. Louis Park. In this capacity she introduced an audience segmentation and donor acquisition strategy focused corporate women and millennials.

Christina is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Master Degree in Public Administration as well as an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Family Studies. She and her family live in the Twin Cities metro.