Recent E-Newsletters

See, I am doing a new thing!Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wildernessand streams in the wasteland.Isaiah 43:19 Spring Business Breakfast Please take a look at our 12th annual Business Breakfast that took place on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Our theme was “CHANGES,” about which our new Executive Director, Charles Moses, delivered a powerful message. He shared stories of his challenging childhood and how Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge helped turn his life around and gave him hope and a career that ultimately led him to HHYD. Charles also expressed his vision and desire for HHYD to grow beyond our current building and to serve more teens. We are now keeping the building open at night, and it has already drawn 97 young men to our ‘Hoops After Dark’ program, a safe and structured environment where they can develop their basketball skills, build relationships, and learn essential life lessons. Two hundred ten (210) guests attended our breakfast event, and as of now, we have just over $170,000 in donations. THANK YOU! With a little more help from guests who took their pledge sheets home and others who couldn’t make the event,

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:24–25 Sports at HHYD Congratulations to all HHYD Basketball teams! It’s about COMMUNITY! Fun, Food, Awards, and Fellowship! On March 21st, we hosted a banquet and celebrated our Basketball teams with their families. We served the families food and presented trophies, which the children loved. We also loved seeing their faces when the coaches honored each child and told them why they were important to the team. CONGRATULATIONS, “We are all winners in Christ” 1 Cor 15:57 April Super Students of the Month We honored students (not all pictured) who met the requirements of Super Student of the Month. They attended classes regularly, wrote in their spiritual journals, and completed schoolwork. GREAT JOB SUPER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH! “Feels good to be outside” said one of the children. The children always enjoy playing outside on the HHYD playground. Ms. Raine’s 5th grade class is creative. Employee of the Month Last month, Charles, HHYD Executive Director, started a Traveling Trophy

“A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.”Luke 23:27-28 Black History Night Celebration On February 27th HHYD held it’s Black History event, celebrating Our History, Families, and Youth. The program included homemade food by staff and desserts by HHYD Board Members (who served the food). The staff and youth performed poetry, a dance routine, and a song. Poetry by our HHYD children HHYD Dance team performing at the HHYD Black History program We are strong Board Member Paula Larsen serving dinner at HHYD Black History program Greg Serviss Board Chair serving dinner at Black History program (Photos by LAYBACK VIBE) We were joined by our Community Partner, JE Dunn’s Black Employee Resource Group who presented Charles Moses, HHYD Executive Director with a check in the amount of $2500. JE Dunn’s message to the children was/is “I am Black history, each of you are Black history” and that there is room for you in the construction field. What a wonderful Community Partner we have in JE Dunn. THANK YOU! Pictured: Kory Shingles, Lisa

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting Charles Moses Hello, Hospitality House Youth Development (HHYD) family! My name is Charles Moses, and I am the new Executive Director for HHYD. I’ve enjoyed meeting many of you and hope to meet you all shortly. Thank you for your warm welcome! Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a husband to my lovely wife, Keonna, and we have been married for 12 years. I am also a father to a fantastic son, Charles Jr., who is 4. My wife Keonna has a huge passion for education and equipping young minds, and our son Charles Jr. loves to learn! I love time with my family and enjoy our ventures together. My interests include sports, barbecuing, mentoring, fellowship, and golfing. My wife and I both share a background and desire in youth ministry. I came from Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, where I worked for 14 years and most recently served as Program Manager for their Men’s Long-Term Program in Minneapolis. I am also a graduate of their program, which is a longer story. I can say that God met me there and has brought me into a new life with Him. We are

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Jeremiah 29:11 Wait What, He Was a Child!?! Do you know who Michael Luther King Jr. is? Yes, I said Michael Luther King Jr. Michael was born January 15, 1929. At the age of six his father decided that the two should switch out their first names for Martin, in honor of Martin Luther, the priest who brought about the Protestant Reformation. But many people don’t know he was named Michael Luther King Jr. at birth. Did you know? Many of us have heard the great stories of the Civil Rights movement, but who was he as a child? Hated doing dishes, loved ice cream and the board game Monopoly, and sometimes popped off the heads of his sister’s dolls to use them as baseballs. “He was an ordinary kid” said Marty Smith, a park ranger at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, where he leads tours of the six-bedroom home where King grew up. “Just later on in life he did extraordinary things.” – The Washington Post As a

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”James 1:17 Christmas With Dignity Our annual Christmas With Dignity event took place on Friday, December 8. We served 437 families and 1,207 children. We are so grateful for the generosity of those who donated the funds, toys, or gift cards that enabled us to provide over 2400 gifts for these families. We also had 250 volunteers covering the prep part of the week and Market Day to make this event happen. Seeing smiles on the faces of the shoppers as they departed with their gifts assures us that their holiday season will be a bit brighter as they see evidence of God’s love and receive the support of their community. Thanks to all the Gift Donors and Volunteers for supporting this ministry! ChurchesEagle Brook Church – DowntownEmanuel Lutheran Church of Inver Grove HeightsHosanna ChurchPrairie Community ChurchSt. Joan of Arc ChurchTrinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha FallsTrue Vine New Bethel Mission Baptist Church BusinessesAnimal AdventureBridal Aisles BoutiqueCushman and WakefieldExcelsior ChiropracticExecutive Connections Network GroupForte Real Estate PartnersHealthsource Chiropractic MinnetonkaHighland Path of

“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the autumn rains because He is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”Joel 2:23 Super Students of the Month Each month during the school year the HHYD teachers select SUPER STUDENTS of the month. To qualify for this celebration, the students must successfully complete their homework and spiritual journals. This month on November 8th the staff served the Super Students of the month Chick-Fil-A. CONGRATULATION TO ALL THE SUPER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH! Hallelujah Night an alternative for the children on Oct 31st HHYD hosted HALLELUJAH NIGHT, it’s an alternative for the children to keep them off the streets and safe. The parents were grateful they did not have to walk the children around the neighborhood. We played Christian music and feed the children hotdogs, chips and juice which they enjoyed of course. We had a variety of costumes and played games in the gym. We ended the evening by giving them a huge bag of candy. Life on Purpose: Car Care Unit LOP is a way for HHYD to coach the children through some of the everyday