About
StreetWorks, a program of Lutheran Social Service of MN, is a collaborative of youth-serving nonprofits that have provided street-based outreach to youth experiencing homelessness in the Metro area since 1994. We are the largest outreach collaborative in Minnesota focused on ending youth homelessness.
StreetWorks provides a coordinated intervention to meet the immediate needs of youth and to interrupt exploitation by providing valuable resources, connection to services, and regular interaction with a trustworthy adult.
Mission
The StreetWorks Collaborative provides collaborative leadership, outreach, education, and systems reform as we walk alongside young people at- risk of, or experiencing, homelessness and exploitation.
Purpose
To empower, connect, and support young people in making lasting change in their lives and communities.
Values
Our values are informed by, and rooted in, the transformative power of meaningful relationships. They include:
Meaningful Collaboration: Everyone has a seat at the table with an opportunity to share their unique perspective. We are open to hearing each other’s ideas, giving and receiving feedback, empowering one another, and advocating on behalf of one another. Everyone is welcome on this team and all identities and experiences are embraced and celebrated.
Equity: We acknowledge that the systems we work with and in are historically rooted in white supremacy and oppression. We are focused on dismantling systems of oppression and giving a voice to those who haven’t be allowed a seat of power/influence at the table. We recognize that some individuals need to be given more access than others, this is because of systems built to deny them access, not because of any deficits they have as a person. We work to remove barriers and strive to recognize when we ourselves are the barrier. We acknowledge that we cannot be culturally competent, but strive to be culturally responsive.
Accountability: We are deliberate about the promises we make, keep those promises, and are willing to own up to mistakes. We embrace feedback -knowing it leads to personal growth and development and allows us to more effectively serve others.
Adaptability: We embrace creativity and flexibility when faced with changes and unexpected events. We remain positive and productive when faced with setbacks and disappointments. We hold loosely to the past and are willing to trying new approaches. We embrace change in order to better meet the needs of those we serve.
Community Engagement: We strive to be a meaningful part of the community and welcome the community to be part of the collaborative. We work to learn from the community what works best for them. We strive to recognize and represent the communities being served within our staff.
Systems Reform: We invest time and energy in systems so that we can be at the table when decisions are made. We challenge status quo while speaking and advocating for the rights and dignity of those we serve. We actively work to dismantle systems that lead to disenfranchisement by informing and influencing positive change. We do this from a posture of collaboration, bringing history and insight to current systems that don’t effectively serve youth.