March 2008, YouthCARE is honored to be recognized with Board Member, Tom Hubler, in an article in the community section of "Clique: Access to Local and Global Opportunities;" a newsletter distributed by Business Forums International.

In the article, Mr. Hubler describes his connection to YouthCARE saying:
"One of the things that excites me about YouthCARE is that it creates opportunities for inner-city kids to be recognized and singled out for their gifts and their strengths, and allows them an opportunity to manifest those gifts."

To read the article click here.

Social Venture Partners will be hosting the Engaged Philanthropy 2008 Conference on June 5, 2008. This event will bring together Minnesota's philanthropists with its most innovative social entrepreneurs. The half-da conference will include a luncheon, panel: "Philanthropy Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow," networking opportunities, and the Social Entrepreneur CUP Awards ceremony.

For more information click here.

2008 Officers:
* Nathan Dungan - Board Chair, President & Founder, Share Save Spend
* Tonya Schoenfuss - Vice Chair, Sr. Research Food Scientist, General Mills
* John Bachhuber - Treasurer, Vice President - Compensation Design & Management of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
* Gleason Glover - Secretary, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Midwest Home Services

In the spring of 2007, a group of passionate alumni Youth Mentors (17-20 years old) and program staff met to brainstorm how to better prepare young women and girls for economic success. Through their discussions, it became clear that the Young Women's Mentoring Program's most significant untapped resource is its alumni Youth Mentors. They bring a unique insight into program management, opportunities for program growth and enhancement and the most pressing needs of their peers and the girls they serve.

As a result, the Young Women's Mentoring Program was granted a $10,000 grant for program expansion from the Women's Foundation of Minnesota girlsBEST Fund. With this grant the program staff and alumni Youth Mentors are working to expand the program to:

* Add a higher level of leadership and involvement by re-hiring alumni Youth Mentors (15-18 years old) as Junior Program Staff.
* Integrate economic readiness as a purpose and link for all programming.
* Create a comprehensive girl-led Youth Mentor Training Program in which girls learn to develop and teach leadership, employment, and cultural competency skills.

Thank you Women's Foundation of Minnesota!

Alumni Youth Mentor leads training for 2007-08 Youth Mentors

October 2007
YouthCARE's Executive Director, Craig Luedemann, was recently recognized in the African News Journal as Person of the Month!

"Craig has dedicated his life to helping inner city youth and this is a tradition that every one of us should consider; giving back to the community which we all feel so proud of."

Congratulations Craig!

Click title to read the article -
"Person of the Month: Craig Luedemann"

On October 15, 2007, YouthCARE was officially awarded a 2 year, $197,000 After-School Community Learning Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.

Led by YouthLEAD Director, Shaina Abraham and Camp Sunrise Director, Jeff Xiong this grant will be used over the next two years to expand the YouthLEAD Program. Hurray!

Exciting News!

Camp Director, Jeff Xiong, and Camp Sunrise were featured in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Sunday, August 19, 2007 on the front page of the Local section.

Click title to read the article -
"A Camp for Exposure": Camp Sunrise, a free camp along the St. Croix River, offers many teens from St. Paul and Minneapolis their first experience 'roughing it' and their first interactions with people of cultures different than their own."