Support Youth Empowerment in North Minneapolis

Even though the sub-zero temperatures outside have locked down traffic and kept folks indoors, things are heating up at Venture North.

Venture North was recently selected to receive $25,000 in Community Engagement Innovation funding from the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. This support will enable Venture North to distribute 150 bikes through our Earn-a-Bike program within the next ve months.

Our Earn-a-Bike program caters to youth aged 9-14. After one 5-hour class about bike safety and repair, participants leave Venture North with their very own bike. Many of the bikes that Venture North gives out are donated to the shop, but they still require staff time and parts to ensure that they are in working condition when it’s time for the kids to ride them home. This grant allows Venture North to cover the average $50 cost for each bike distributed through the program as well as hiring a high school-aged youth to help promote the program and get more local kids involved with Venture North. 

In addition to increasing the capacity of our Earn-a-Bike program, Venture North has expanded our coffee bar hours. Now customers can stop by as early as 7 am for an espresso on their way to work. Our new barista, Casey Skeide, is largely responsible for this expansion. A graduate of St. Olaf College, Casey lives to educate and inspire. As Youth Entrepreneurship Manager at Venture North, Casey is implementing “The Art of Being a Barista and Entrepreneur,” a program he developed that includes topics like: the history of the coffee industry, retail psychology, and community engagement. In addition to learning the science of bike repair, area youth will soon be able to invest themselves in the art of barista skills. 

Despite the cold and ice, Venture North's coffee business and number of Earn-a-Bike participants are both steadily picking up. We can't even wait to see how busy we'll be come spring!

Links:

• Check out Venture North's website!

Even though the temperatures outside have plummeted, Redeemer Center is busier than ever: our youth programs are thriving, our housing is at capacity, and Venture North Bike Shop is filled with customers and apprentice mechanics. Here are a few snapshots of life at Redeemer this winter: 

In December, Redeemer held its annual Christmas store. 120 kids lined up to purchase gifts for 25 cents each for their friends and families. The day included an open mic featuring the incredible talent of our youth; a bicycle-rinding Santa; dozens of high school elves to help kids shop; and a busy workshop of present-wrapping. Dozens upon dozens of volunteers from Redeemer's partner congregations showed up to experience the infectious joy of children who find just the right gift for a loved one. E.J, one of our after school program kids, embodied that joy and excitement. “Put the perfume in that pink bag because it’s for my mom,” he excitedly told a volunteer who helped him wrap his gifts. “And that football is for my brother, so make sure it’s wrapped in red or blue.” E.J  could barely contain himself as he left Redeemer into the winter snow holding his newly purchased gifts. 

Venture North is also in the spirit of giving. Within the next 6 months, Venture north will  hold a record-breaking 19 Earn-a-Bike classes to distribute 150 free bikes to local kids! Participants spend a 5 hour session learning about bicycle safety and repair. At the end of the session, kids are rewarded for their hard work with a free bike! 

The 15 members of the Northside Leadership Project have weathered their first few months at Redeemer splendidly and are already valued members of our community. Joe Davis, our poet-in-residence and youth staff member, moved here from Minot, North Dakota in October. Even though he had never lived away from home before, he jumped right into things at Redeemer, performing at open mics, recruiting kids for our programming, and helping out with the after school program. (Check out the youtube link below to see the commercial for Venture North that he made with the kids!) When asked how he has been impacted by Redeemer, Joe explains, ”I have gained a greater appreciation for diversity and the sharing of different values and perspectives. I've also experienced affirmation about my vocation, propose, and passion, as they all are becoming increasingly one and the same. “

And so in these dark months, Redeemer continues to shine as a beacon of hope to our neighbors. And our neighbors reflect that light back to us as they engage in our expansive community that welcomes all as they are. 

Links:

• Venture North bike shop commercial from our after school kids