Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/27/2015

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organization is just under $1,000,000. She advised that 80 percent of the guests come from Anoka County, while the remaining 20 percent is from outside of Anoka County. She explained the funding sources that the organization receives. She stated that all of the meals they serve to guests, three meals per day, are donated from schools, retailers and volunteers. Brian Swanson, Board Chair of Hope for Youth, stated that it is great to be having this type of discussion. He stated that it is clear that the community is ready to do something about the issue of homelessness. He noted that there has been overwhelming support for Hope for Youth. He stated that there is a lot to accomplish in regard to this urgent need. He stated that Minnesota has been titled the factory for areas such as Las Vegas, Los Angles, New York, and Chicago for supplying young people into sex trafficking. He stated that the sex traffickers start targeting people as young as 11. He provided stories of how youth become homeless, noting that a family on the edge has car trouble andthen the family splits up to stay with different people and the kids go from one couch to another until there are no possibilities left. He stated that Hope for Youth is a drop-in center that focuses on housing, outreach, prevention, and education. He stated that Hope for Youth serves youth up to age 24, providing additional information on the term youth used in regard to. homelessness. He stated that they have worked hard to work with Stepping Stone for those over 18 and they are working for the Emma B Howe YMCA in a collaboration to provide housing to youth with host families. He stated that the host families are able to model a stable family environment for those youth. He stated that for those under 18 there are not a lot of shelter options and therefore those cases are referred to Hennepin County. He stated that there is also a collaboration with a church in Blaine to develop an emergency host network. He stated that Hope for Youth has existed for almost three years and therefore is the youngest of the organizations. He stated that the new transitional housing facility in Coon Rapids will be opening soon and will assist Stepping Stone in providing transitional housing for those aged 18 to 24. He stated that funds have been set aside in a fund that will be used to guarantee employment for the first 30 days the youth stay in the transitional housing. He explained that the organization would partner with a local employer and will pay the wages of the youth for the first 30 days while they receive training, noting that the intent would be for the youth to learn the skills needed during that time and receive a job offer. He provided additional details regarding the housing. He stated that right now there are 57 individuals that qualify and applied for the transitional program, which is not even open yet. He stated that the program will begin with nine guests. He stated that an automotive center is one of the businesses that has joined in the program and the organization is looking for additional businesses. He stated that in terms of outreach the organization goes out to meet the youth on the street, where they are, in order to build relationships. He stated that when you are young it is scary for the youth to come to an organization but noted that the sex traffickers are not afraid to approach and attempt to draw these kids in. He stated that the organization is going to strengthen the outreach program by adding weekend outreach efforts. He stated that he is passionate about prevention and the goal is to eliminate youth homelessness by 2024, explaining that the intent is to have the resources and support in place to provide the necessary assistance. He stated that the organization was founded by a group that has strong ties to the faith community and also has connections to the business world. He stated that the education aspects focuses on main items including life skills, reading skills, technology, and GED assistance. He advised of a scholarship program that is offered to three people per year. He reviewed some of the items included in the center including showers, laundry facilities, and hot meals noting that the meals are provided by volunteers. He stated that City Council Work Session / October 27, 2015 Page 3 of 6