Pathways 4 Youth in St. Cloud has a new name
Pathways 4 Youth, which offers supportive services to youth ages 16 to 24 who are experiencing or facing the possibility of homelessness, has a new name: LSS Youth Resource Center — St. Cloud. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), which operates the service, said that the new name is part of a statewide naming structure for all youth services across Minnesota.
“Over the years, as youth services were added across the state, names for those services were chosen in a variety of ways, resulting in inconsistency. This has made it challenging to communicate our services well to the community,” said Karen Kingsley, senior director for Lutheran Social Service. “We believe that a consistent naming convention that describes our service and also includes the geographic location will make it easier for young people across the state to find and access supportive resources they need to succeed in our communities.”
In 2021, Lutheran Social Service assumed management and operations for Pathways 4 Youth, founded by the St. Cloud Rotary Foundation. At that time, the Rotary sought an experienced service provider to continue developing and enhancing the work they had started. They soon identified Lutheran Social Service whose mission began by serving children 160 years ago and has since grown to become a regional service leader for youth services statewide.
Kingsley said that the LSS Youth Resource Center — St. Cloud remains unchanged and continues to provide the same high-quality services for young people as they seek opportunities to live and work in community with full abundant lives.
Through the resource center, young people have access to career path and employment resources, case worker support and guidance, a clothes closet, computer and internet access, connections to community resources, warm meals, behavioral health support, education planning, financial wellness services, housing referrals, food pantry, shower facilities, hygiene supplies, skills classes, group activities and transportation resources. The LSS Youth Resource Center — St. Cloud is located at 203 Cooper Avenue North, Suite 260 in St. Cloud.
Lutheran Social Service began its work supporting youth facing homelessness in St. Paul in the early 1980s. Today, there are four youth resource centers statewide. In several regions, Lutheran Social Service also provides street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing and longer-term supportive housing.
“We’re honored to continue this important work and partner with the St. Cloud community to ensure that youth who need stable housing and support have what they need to get on their feet,” Kingsley said. Other LSS services available in the greater St. Cloud community include adoption, housing services, behavioral health services, refugee services, a crisis nursery, and anti-trafficking prevention.