TreeHouse (an outreach of Family Hope Services, Inc.) is a faith-based nonprofit organization whose purpose is to bring hope to hurting youth and families leading to life transformation. TreeHouse provides a safe place for at-risk youth and families to struggle and grow. Our approach combines long-term caring relationships with a year-round balanced program. TreeHouse serves over 1300 teens annually who are experiencing difficulties at home, in school, or in their communities. TreeHouse also has a program specifically for parents that provides support, education, family mediations, and retreats.

TreeHouse staff members build relationships and equip youth with skills to cope and grow in a complex world. Staff members are trained to facilitate small groups. Tuesday evening support groups allow kids to share their feelings about what is currently happening in their lives.

TreeHouse uses a multidimensional approach in working with teens that includes social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual elements. Asset development is key to the life-changing work of TreeHouse.

TreeHouse has an educational component as well, called Going Deeper. TreeHouse's TeenHope curriculum targets 19 of the 40 assets identified by Search Institute as vital to youth development. Staff members present lessons to youth by using games, skits, and multimedia presentations, and follow up with large group discussion.

The following assets comprise the core of TreeHouse programming:

Positive Self-Image	Positive View of Personal Future
Sense of Purpose	Personal Power
Positive Values	Integrity
Honesty	Responsibility
Caring by Serving	Caring For Others' Feelings
Interpersonal Competence	Equality & Social Justice
Cultural Competence	Peaceful Conflict Resolution
Planning & Decision-Making	Resistance Skills
Sexual Restraint	Drug & Alcohol Restraint
Achievement	Motivation

Monthly Activities at each TreeHouse provide youth with innovative and fun opportunities that are safe. Horseback riding, youth concerts, community and sporting events, drive-in movies, and recreational outings are all examples of activities planned by the TreeHouse staff.

Retreats and high adventure trips provide opportunities for youth to meet new challenges, develop skills, and strengthen relationships among staff and youth. In addition, youth have time for personal reflection and spiritual growth. White-water rafting, canoe trips, WinterBlast, camping, and rock climbing are just a few of the opportunities available to youth.

All TreeHouse staff is assigned care-loads of youth. Staff members meet with teens one-to-one and develop positive mentoring relationships of support, friendship, and accountability.

Youth discover their individual abilities through local, national, and international service projects. Examples of service projects include flood relief, renovating homes with Habitat for Humanity in Mississippi, and helping poor families in Central America, Mexico, and Bulgaria.

Locations: Currently there are TreeHouse facilities in the Minnesota communities of Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Chaska, Minnetonka, New Hope and Plymouth/Wayzata.

TreeHouse responds to the need in the following Minnesota school districts:

District 11 Anoka-Hennepin	District 112 Chaska
District 270 Hopkins	District 271 Bloomington
District 272 Eden Prairie	District 273 Edina
District 279 Osseo	District 276 Minnetonka
District 278 Orono	District 280 Richfield
District 281 Robbinsdale	District 284 Wayzata
District 287 Special Education