Helping Teens
Teaming Up For Teens is a program sponsored by the Hopkins Elks Lodge #2221 in partnership with other local community service organizations and resources serving the western suburbs. The program started with a small but passionate group of individuals that recognized the need to support teens in the community who are homeless.
Homeless Youth
In the seven school districts of the west metro suburbs it is estimated that there are upwards of 150 homeless teens with more than 250 estimated to be at risk of homelessness on any given night. And these numbers are climbing. These teens are living on the streets or “couch hopping” among friends and relatives. Even while homeless, these teens are attending school and many have part time jobs all the while trying to hide their homelessness. There are many reasons they are no longer able to live at home including but not limited to substance abuse, divorce, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, being put out of the home due to sexual orientation, mental health issues and/or learning disabilities. The teens are eating, showering and sleeping at school, friends’ homes, other families homes, or even at strangers’ homes. They spend nights outside seeking shelter wherever they can. They cling to their studies and hopes for a future while their security and home life crumble. We want to reach these kids before they are drawn into higher risk areas or situations.
Support Packs
The Support Packs contain a variety of items needed for day to day hygiene as well as other necessities as needed throughout the year. These care packs contain full size products such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, laundry detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, tissues, feminine products etc. When available we also include gift cards to local stores and bus passes. At key times during the year the packs are expanded to include seasonal items such as a “back to school” pack. These packs contain notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, calculators, 3 ring binders and other essentials for the school year. Also included in the care pack is a brochure highlighting some of the resources available to the teens for further assistance including the local health clinic, food shelf and teen programs among others.
We have partnered with the St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka high schools as well as the local police department, health clinic and teen specific programs (e.g. Treehouse) to distribute the care packs to those kids in need.
Homeless Youth
In the seven school districts of the west metro suburbs it is estimated that there are upwards of 150 homeless teens with more than 250 estimated to be at risk of homelessness on any given night. And these numbers are climbing. These teens are living on the streets or “couch hopping” among friends and relatives. Even while homeless, these teens are attending school and many have part time jobs all the while trying to hide their homelessness. There are many reasons they are no longer able to live at home including but not limited to substance abuse, divorce, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, being put out of the home due to sexual orientation, mental health issues and/or learning disabilities. The teens are eating, showering and sleeping at school, friends’ homes, other families homes, or even at strangers’ homes. They spend nights outside seeking shelter wherever they can. They cling to their studies and hopes for a future while their security and home life crumble. We want to reach these kids before they are drawn into higher risk areas or situations.
Support Packs
The Support Packs contain a variety of items needed for day to day hygiene as well as other necessities as needed throughout the year. These care packs contain full size products such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, laundry detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, tissues, feminine products etc. When available we also include gift cards to local stores and bus passes. At key times during the year the packs are expanded to include seasonal items such as a “back to school” pack. These packs contain notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, calculators, 3 ring binders and other essentials for the school year. Also included in the care pack is a brochure highlighting some of the resources available to the teens for further assistance including the local health clinic, food shelf and teen programs among others.
We have partnered with the St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka high schools as well as the local police department, health clinic and teen specific programs (e.g. Treehouse) to distribute the care packs to those kids in need.