Daryeel Youth Services

No judgments, just help. 

This is our motto and a vital point to understand in our struggle against the twin epidemics of drug overdoses and violence that destroy the lives of too many of our young people in too many of our city neighborhoods.

These are also simple, yet profound words about Daryeel Youth Services' warm embrace of young people wherever they are on their journey through youth into adulthood.  And these words exemplify the essence of Daryeel Youth Services' volunteer-driven efforts, every Friday night since its beginning six years ago, to make young people feel welcome and provide for their basic needs in the Cedar Riverside Neighborhood of Minneapolis on the plaza next door to Cedar Cultural Center.

Now our volunteer effort has grown to a small and capable 501 (c) (3) organization that during the past six years has served thousands of young people and family members in Cedar Riverside and throughout the metro area. We are asking for your support to continue to grow our capacity to provide the resources and opportunities that will provide basic needs and inspire and encourage young people to fully realize their potential as valued members of our community.

When they are challenged by a lack of education and job opportunities, mental health and substance abuse issues, or experience with the criminal justice system, young people can fall through the cracks and fail to reach their potential. Some wind up susceptible to substance use disorder or addiction, become homeless, and even preyed on by criminal influences that appear to offer them a way out of their struggles.

This is where Daryeel Youth Services' volunteers, outreach workers, and staff  step up with open arms to offer their support. This is when our grant programs with the Minneapolis Health Department and Hennepin County and partnerships with other nonprofit agencies and institutions offer youth options other than the streets: access to caring adults and healthcare professionals, food, clothing, hygiene products, counseling, treatment, housing, job connections, and educational opportunities.

We work hard to de-stigmatize mental health and substance abuse issues with educational outreach in the East African and broader community exemplified by our acclaimed annual Youth Summit at Augsburg University.  We believe youth who have been in the criminal justice system deserve a second chance. When we welcome young people without criticism or judgment, and encourage others to do so, young people are much more likely to trust the messenger and accept offers of assistance that provide them access to much needed resources.

Your tax deductible donations to Daryeel Youth Services provide crucial operational support that enables us to continue to build our staff, infrastructure and programs to better serve young people and families and expand our outreach. Your contributions will allow us to fully leverage grant money for the valuable programs and resources that encourage youth to be healthy, self sufficient, and productive members of our community.

Please join with us as partners to invest in the well being and success of these many deserving young people in Cedar Riverside and throughout the Twin Cities. They are our future and deserve our best effort to ensure they achieve their full potential.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and support!