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Happy 1 year anniversary, NorthStar-Maplewood Mall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 1, 2019

 

MAPLEWOOD, MINN.—Everyone is invited to join the NorthStar Youth Outreach Center for food, free drawings, and activities for the center’s one-year anniversary at the Maplewood Mall.

The theme of the event is Juneteenth, a celebration of the June 19th, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

There will be an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at NorthStar’s Maplewood Mall location, 3001 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood, MN 55109, in space #2006, nearest the west entrance. This free event will include a variety of activities and is open to all ages.

“Clients have shared that they are so glad we’re here and this resource is needed at the mall,” said TaMica’ Tody, Community Outreach Coordinator at Tubman.  “We have had over 1,000 visits to this new location at Maplewood Mall since a soft launch in March of 2018, and a lot of those are returning clients.”

The NorthStar Youth Outreach Center can be the first step for young people who are homeless, at risk of being homeless, or simply need additional resources and support. The center is open to youth of all genders between the ages of 13 and 24, and their children, if parenting. Services include a multitude of services, advocacy, goal setting, food, safety planning, a computer lab, career and educational assistance, shower, free laundry facility, clothing, supplies, creative art spaces, and connection to a range of additional programs and resources.

After first opening at Tubman’s Maplewood office in August 2016, NorthStar then opened a second location at the Maplewood Mall in June 2018 with a goal of increasing access to its services with the more public location. The center began as a partnership with the White Bear Unitarian Church’s social justice committee and is largely volunteer-run.

As one example of what’s possible through the NorthStar center, a family had been visiting weekly, building relationships with staff and volunteers. They worked on setting goals, connected with other resources, and eventually were able to find space in Tubman’s shelter program to continue their journey. 

Tody said the most requested forms of immediate assistance are for help with transportation, such as bus tokens, bus passes, or gas cards.

All are invited to drop by the anniversary celebration to participate in activities and learn more about the NorthStar Youth Outreach Center and Tubman. For more information, visit www.tubman.org or call 612.825.3333.

 

ABOUT TUBMAN: Each year Tubman helps nearly 25,000 people of all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds who are facing relationship violence, sexual assault, exploitation, homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or other forms of trauma. We provide safe shelter and housing, legal services, mental and chemical health services, and youth programs. To get help, call 612-825-0000. To give help, call 612-825-3333, or visit www.tubman.org to learn more.

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