Nokomis Legal: Avenues for Youth Spotlight
Avenues for Youth helps young people ages 16–24 overcome homelessness and build stable futures. With a new, trauma-informed building underway in North Minneapolis, they’re creating spaces that promote healing and independence. Nokomis Legal attorney John Saunders, a dedicated board member, is helping bring this vision to life.
Please enjoy the interview of Deanna Davis, Communications Specialist at Avenues for Youth, below to learn how Avenues is turning hope into lasting change.
Q: For those unfamiliar, what does Avenues for Youth do and who do you serve?
A: We partner with young people ages 16–24 experiencing homelessness in Hennepin County. Some need emergency shelter, and others stay for up to 18 months in our transitional housing program while they work toward stability. Every youth has a case manager and access to employment support, wellness services, and independent living skills. We also offer tailored housing like our host home program for LGBTQ+ youth, where young people choose who they live with and how their household runs. Everything we do is grounded in trusting relationships and culturally responsive support.
Q: Avenues has a major new building project underway. What inspired it?
A: Our current North Minneapolis building has served youth for decades, but it simply no longer meets their needs. Rooms and bathrooms are shared, which can lead to conflict and stress. There’s no elevator, and the design doesn’t support trauma-informed care. We now understand much more about what promotes healing: privacy, daylight, calm spaces, and autonomy. The new building incorporates those features so youth can decompress, feel safe, and focus on their goals.
Q: How will this new space change the future for youth?
A: The design is directly shaped by the nine guiding principles of youth work that Avenues helped develop with statewide partners. That means sensory-sensitive spaces, single-user bathrooms, and intentional places for community and connection. We are also adding eight affordable apartments to better bridge the transition from shelter to fully independent living. Our goal is clear: that homelessness for the youth we serve is rare, brief, and nonrecurring.
Q: Attorney John Saunders from Nokomis Legal serves on your board. How has he contributed to this vision?
A: John offers exactly what strong board leadership should provide: dependable support and thoughtful guidance. He serves on our Finance Committee, helps direct strategy, and supports fundraising initiatives as part of our Dreammaker Society. His willingness to show up, connect us with others, and advocate for youth makes him an invaluable partner and friend to Avenues.
Q: How can the community help bring this project to life?
A: Community connection keeps our programs running 24/7. People can support our four programs throughout the Twin Cities through financial gifts, in-kind donations. Groups can volunteer together to organize donations or help on-site. One of the most meaningful experiences is joining a hard-hat tour at our new building site. Once people step onto the property, they feel part of this transformation.
Q: What keeps you personally inspired in this work?
A: I believe youth homelessness shouldn’t exist. Young people deserve dignity and a safe place to become who they’re meant to be. Seeing youth thrive when they receive consistent support is powerful. They come back to community as leaders, parents, workers, and advocates. That transformation keeps us going every day.
Learn more about Avenues for Youth: avenuesforyouth.org
Guiding principles and project renderings available on request.
