The Wave Youth Center

The Wave Youth Center: Celebrating 5 Years of Impact and Connection

On December 9th, The Wave Youth Center will celebrate its 5th anniversary—five years of transforming the lives of young people in Sherburne County. In just a few short months after opening in 2019, The Wave Youth Center welcomed over 1,400 student visits. Today, we see nearly 12,000 visits annually! This tremendous growth reflects the overwhelming need for our services and the life-changing impact we’ve had on the youth and families in our community. We want to celebrate this milestone on Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s day of generosity!

A World of Pressures, Unchanging Needs

Young people today are facing pressures unlike any previous generation—loneliness, anxiety, depression, and bullying are increasingly common. Despite these challenges, their basic human needs remain unchanged: connection, safety, belonging, and feeling valued. At The Wave Youth Center, we provide a safe, welcoming environment where young people can build relationships, develop resilience, and find joy. But we cannot continue this vital work without your support.

Building Relationships at the Heart of Our Mission

At The Wave Youth Center, it is our privilege not only to serve the youth who walk through our doors but also to share in their lives and the lives of their families. Through the relationships we build, we become part of their support system, watching them grow and flourish. These connections are at the heart of everything we do—whether through mentoring, career exploration, or simply providing a safe space where students can be themselves.

Programs that Change Lives

The Wave Youth Center’s programs are a lifeline for the youth we serve. We offer unique experiences like Workforce Wednesday, where we expose students to different vocations, encouraging them to dream bigger and plan for their futures. Community Days provide opportunities for students to engage with their neighbors and local organizations, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. We also offer mental health services in a unique way twice a week with our onsite mental health professionals, ensuring that students can access the critical support they need. Additionally, three days a week, therapy dogs bring comfort and joy to our students, offering emotional relief and a sense of calm that supports their well-being.

Growth and Sustainability

As we celebrate five years of success, we’re also looking toward the future. Our services are more in demand than ever, and we are committed to meeting that need in the community. We’ve received a large grant to build a new facility that will not only meet our current and future needs but will also move The Wave Youth Center toward sustainability. However, while the grant helps with our facility, we rely completely on donations to fund our day-to-day operations and programs. Your support ensures that we can continue to serve the growing number of students who rely on The Wave Youth Center.

Double Your Impact with a $10,000 Matching Gift!

In honor of our 5th birthday, we’re thrilled to announce a $10,000 matching gift from a generous supporter, Robert K. Eddy! This means that the first $10,000 donated will be doubled, and we are well on our way to reaching our $30,000 goal, allowing us to make an even greater impact. Whether you give $25, $100, or more, your gift will go twice as far in helping us continue to transform lives in our community. As part of our celebration, one donor who sets up a recurring monthly donation will be randomly selected to receive a special Wave Youth Center swag gift basket as a token of our appreciation. Additionally, all donors will be entered to win a beautiful piece of jewelry from Andi Fox at Thurber Jewelers, as a thank-you for your support. 

The Ripple Effect of Your Support

When you invest in The Wave Youth Center, you’re not just supporting today’s youth—you’re shaping the future of our entire community. The young people we empower today will become tomorrow’s leaders, neighbors, and engaged citizens. Your support creates a ripple effect that goes far beyond our walls, positively impacting not just the current generation but future generations as well.

Join Us in Transforming Lives

As we celebrate five years of serving our community, we invite you to be part of the next chapter of our journey. Your generosity can change the course of a young person’s life. Together, we can build a future where every young person feels seen, heard, and valued—where they have the confidence and support to thrive.

Please consider donating today. With your help—and our $10,000 matching gift—we can continue to build a brighter, stronger future for our community and beyond.

Thank you for being part of our journey and for believing in the potential of our youth. Here’s to the next five years of transforming lives together!

Molly Schroeder

President and Founder