Area leaders gather to support mental health services
Over 300 came together for the annual Northeast Youth and Family Services Leadership Luncheon
Community leaders from Roseville and surrounding cities gathered at Vadnais Heights Commons on May 14 to celebrate and fundraise for Northeast Youth and Family Services (NYFS).
Three hundred twenty-five people gathered for the annual Leadership Luncheon last week to hear stories of impact from NYFS clients, staff, and community partners. The leaders in attendance included city councilmembers and mayors, city staff, police departments, school district representatives, civic club leaders, business leaders, and community members from across the sixteen partner municipalities. The event raised nearly $67,000 in donations to support NYFS.
NYFS is a nonprofit mental health and community services organization that partners with 16 municipalities—including Roseville—and four school districts in the northeast Saint Paul suburbs. The organization provides low-cost or free, mental health services for children and families in crisis. The board of directors is comprised of representatives from the partner cities, law enforcement agencies, and school districts. The City of Roseville’s representative on the board is Councilmember Wayne Groff.
At the luncheon, speakers shared stories about how the trauma-informed mental health services have transformed lives for children and families, including those healing from domestic violence and sexual assault and teens at risk of entering the criminal justice system.
After watching a video of client stories of transformation, Commissioner Bob Jacobson spoke, going off script to reflect on the term collective healing spoken in the video.
“That really resonated with me because a life of public service, a life in public safety, involves a lot of trauma, involves a lot of people who are hurting, communities who are hurting,” Jacobson said. “That term, about being able to collectively heal, not only as a family, but ultimately as a community as well, really resonates with me. That’s why we’re all here. We want to make a difference.”
Jacobson serves as the commissioner overseeing the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Previously, he served more than 33 years in active law enforcement, including 16 years as the director of public safety and chief of police for the City of new Brighton.
“This organization is a constant in the lives of people navigating some of their hardest days. It’s the steady presence in a world that can feel very unpredictable,” Jennifer Fink, NYFS board chair, said in her remarks. Fink serves as the director of Parks and Recreation for New Brighton.
“NYFS shows up every day for families like mine and families across this community. When someone needs help, they don’t have to go at it alone. NYFS meets them where they are, walks with them, and helps them build a powerful plan toward healing,” Fink said.
Learn more about Northeast Youth and Family Services online here.
