A Community Picnic and Photo Day at Nicollet Square
Photos by Dylan Novacek, Content Specialist
Residents at Nicollet Square, youth supportive housing from Beacon, gathered to celebrate the start of fall with a community picnic and photo day. Grilling out in their newly landscaped community garden, everyone enjoyed the perfect weather, built community, and took photos together.
At Nicollet Square, young people who have experienced homelessness, housing insecurity, or have been through foster care, are given the space to grow and breathe. With onsite services from YouthLink, individuals are given the resources needed to thrive.
Our partners at YouthLink help connect the young residents to career opportunities, community resources, host monthly building events, and more.
During this community event, attendees were given the chance to express themselves on white boards and get professional portraits taken with them. These photos will be framed and given to residents as gifts to hang in their homes.
Attendees answered questions on the white boards that helped them visualize their goals, reflect on what home means to them, and what makes them unique.
Clifton, a young artist, shared some of his talents.
“I am divine,” exclaimed Iyanna, who has been living in the building for about a year.
“Home means family,” reflected one resident.
“In 2023, I am going to glow up,” another expressed, looking into the future.
“I would describe myself as worth it,” asserted another resident.
Throughout the afternoon, a feeling of safety and community was ever present. That’s one thing that makes Nicollet Square unique. With everyone sharing common ground and coming from experiences of instability, there is a shared desire to uplift each other. At events like this, the community in the building grows stronger as residents and service staff bond together.
When you make a gift to Beacon, you’re supporting the services, stability and growth of residents like those at Nicollet Square. For youth exiting homelessness, it’s critical to have these services and growth opportunities so we can connect young people to a brighter future, and ensure they remain stably housed.
Click here to make a gift today to help individuals and families thrive in their homes.
Read more about how residents build community in Beacon homes.
