The Kids
 
Of all the social turmoil facing our inner-cities today, why did we choose to focus on kids? The facts speak for themselves:
 
  • Minneapolis schools' graduation rate ranks 45th among the nation's 50 largest cities, according to a study by America's Promise Alliance, a drop-out prevention group founded by retired Gen. Colin Powell.
     
  • 35% of youth go unsupervised after school. Minnesota ranks 49th in the nation on this measure.
     
  • 75% of our kids in South Minneapolis have an absent parent.
     
  • Youth that have a caring adult and safe place to learn and play are less at risk of depression, teen pregnancy and high school drop out.
     
    At Urban Ventures, our youth run the risk of falling into someone else's dead-end plan on a daily basis. Mark-Peter Lundquist, Director for the Urban Youth Hub, explains: "These kids are on the fence between a world of pimps and gangs on one side, and on the other, the positive opportunities we provide." The challenge of saving our kids from the negative opportunities in our neighborhood is great, but the promise shown by the kids who choose the positive opportunities is even greater.
     
    The kids in the Urban Ventures programs are actively involved in operating CityKid Java. They attend sales meetings, do samplings at grocery stores and help with other special events. Our cafe' at the University of Minnesota Carlson business school is run by our kids. They work side by side with business students to run the cafe', learning valuable life skills such as customer relations, responsibility and finance. The exposure to life in a building of higher education is immeasurable in and of itself.
     
    Meet our kids
     
    "The proceeds from CityKid Java go toward programs like PowerHouse; which I attend each week. It gives me the chance to talk about my problems, deal with real issues and be surrounded by staff who really care. Without Powerhouse I would be out on the streets getting into all kinds of trouble. It's the highlight of my week."
     
    - David
    "Working with CityKid Java is a ton of fun! When I help out during CityKid Java coffee samplings I get to talk to lots of people and tell them why CityKid is ...."a good coffee, for a good cause". It makes me feel good when people buy the coffee -because it directly supports the programs that I go to each week."
     
    - Ramon