New shelter to open in Duluth for young adults experiencing homelessness
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A new $1.6 million shelter is set to open in Duluth in January, geared specifically for young adults, ages 18 to 24, who are experiencing homelessness.
The shelter, called Another Door, will provide a lifeline to up to 12 youth who lack shelter. Currently there are only two to four beds in Duluth for young adults.
The reasons young people end up in homelessness are varied, often through no fault of their own, said Joel Kilgour, project organizer for the Stepping on Up initiative, a collaborative of 14 nonprofits working on several different projects in Duluth to combat homelessness.
The young adults maybe grew up in generational poverty, or had difficult home lives, or aged out of the foster care system.
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“Imagine showing up as an 18-year-old in this rental market trying to find a place, not just the expense of it, but now you need some credit history, you need rental history, you need job history, that those young folks cannot prove at the age of 18,” explained Kilgour.
Another Door will offer young people a hand up by providing dignified living spaces and 24-7 support services centered around employment, education, independent living skills and other areas. It will also help young people make the transition to stable housing.
Experts say it’s critical to intervene early during a young person’s first experience with homelessness to prevent long-term housing instability.
“We need to recognize that young folks in our community have gifts, talents, ideas that are going to be integral to the future vibrancy of Duluth, and by investing now in these young people, we are creating a better future for all of us, not just for them,” Kilgour said.
The shelter is located in a wing of Peace United Church of Christ that’s been renovated and features individual bedrooms, a modern kitchen and a large communal area.
The Duluth non-profit Chum acted as the developer and fiscal agent for the project. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota will operate the shelter. The state provided $1 million to the project. Other funding came from St. Louis County, nonprofit collaborators, and several individual donors.
“What we have found is when you are able to provide a space that is beautiful and welcoming and respectful of youth, it changes their perspective on things. It helps them to see different and greater opportunities for what they can and should expect for themselves and their lives,” said Dawn Shykes, senior director at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.
The need is great. In Duluth alone, there are more than 100 young adults experiencing homelessness, said Kilgour.
The name of the shelter, “Another Door,” is fitting, said State Rep. Liish Kozlowski, DFL-Duluth, who experienced unstable housing as a young person.
“So often our young people tell us… that it feels like door after door after door is slammed on them, and it feels really damn good to break down those walls and to open doors for them,” Kozlowski said.
