Melissa Peterson

What We Do Face to Face has provided essential support for marginalized young people since 1972. We began as a volunteer-run walk-in crisis counseling and reproductive health clinic for youth. In 1994, at the request of the State of Minnesota and Ramsey County, we opened SafeZone, our drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness. Today we continue to support youth ages 11-24 through six core service areas: 1) medical clinic including health education, 2) mental health, 3) housing, 4) education and employment, 5) youth justice, and 6) community programs. All services areas include comprehensive wraparound services and with a relational and principle-based approach. No other organization in Ramsey County provides the breadth of services for youth people that we do, making us uniquely able to respond to the multiple challenges young people are navigating. Our Mission & Vision Our mission is to advance economic and health equity for youth while providing support, opportunities, and access to resources as they build on their strengths and achieve their aspirations. Our vision is that all youth are valued for who they are and realize their potential. Programs Our programs address the inequities youth face, combat systemic racism and other forms of oppression, and help young people as they pursue their aspirations despite the barriers they experience. We walk alongside youth as they heal from trauma, build stability, and participate meaningfully in their communities. Staff are guided by evidence-based principles which begins with the perspective that youth are on a journey. This means we are trauma-informed, non-judgmental, and work to reduce harm. By holding these principles, we can build a trusting relationship that allows us to focus on young people’s strengths and opportunities for positive development. Through all of this, we approach youth as whole beings through a youth-focused collaborative system of support.