ANOKA, Minn. - There's finally a place where youth experiencing homelessness can go for help in Anoka County. The Hope 4 Youth drop in center opened last week and is providing food, toiletries, clothes, showers and more.
According to Karrie Schaaf, Homeless Liason with the Anoka-Hennepin school district, 565 students in the district are considered homeless this year. "It's a huge problem and not decreasing at all," she says.
Until now, there was nowhere for them to go.
After hearing the startling statistics , Brian Swanson decided to launch Hope 4 Youth. He says it was the encouragment of a friend that put the plan in action. "We were up at a cabin with a bunch of guys and I happened to mention (the statistics) and he said, 'You need to do something about this. I can tell you're bothered by it. Go do something,'" he says.
Through the help of several people in the community, the drop in center was set up in 3-4 months.
Swanson says they are most in need of financial donations, bus passes, snacks, duffle bags, pillows, sleeping bags, and volunteer support. To learn more about donating, visit their website.
The drop in center is located at:
2665 4th Avenue North - Suite 40
Anoka, MN 55303
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