National Philanthropy Day Highlight: Ain Dah Yung Center
Throughout the month of November, the Association of Fundraising Professionals will be highlighting honorees from National Philanthropy Day chapter events around the world, showcasing outstanding donors, volunteers, corporations, foundations and others who are being recognized for their commitment to change and philanthropy.
Today we’re showcasing the Ain Dah Yung Center, honored by the AFP Minnesota Chapter.
The Ain Dah Yung Center (ADYC) was nominated for the work being done to provide culturally relevant programs and a safe space for Native youth and families in the Twin Cities. Last November, the doors of their new building, Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung, were opened in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul.
The Ain Dah Yung Center provides a healing place within the community for Native youth and families to thrive in safety and wholeness. Each year, ADYC provides services to 1,100 youth and families and serves as a national model for providing a continuum of care and services recognizing that in Native culture, you can’t grow as a person until you have honor, dignity and respect for both yourself and everything around you.
Mino Oski Ain Dah Yung is a first-of-its-kind building in Minnesota. Offering permanent, supportive housing for 18- to 24-year-old Natives, the ambitious project represents a unique partnership with Project for Pride in Living, along with collaborators Fox Advancement, DSGW Architects, and Loeffler Construction. The new 42-unit supportive housing program offers onsite culturally responsive life skill development and mental health services for Native young people who have been in crisis and/or homeless with no safe place to call home. The organization utilizes traditional Native teachings and experiences to strengthen residents’ cultural identity and help them create a sense of belonging and connection which is imperative to the success of Native youth.
Read more about the center here.
The AFP Minnesota Chapter will host a virtual National Philanthropy Day celebration on Thursday, Nov. 12. Learn more about the celebration here.
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