Small change. Big difference.

Posted by Lauren Dublin on July 24, 2024

“When I finally came to the center, I remember feeling a sense of relief for me, and a sense of home.”

E. is one of approximately 90 individual youth served annually by Open Doors for Youth. E. has chosen to go only by their first initial for privacy reasons. “I didn’t have a home, and I knew that I could come here at any time or at any point of distress.”

WH’s Operation Round Up (ORU) program donates to a variety of local organizations and charities each year, including Open Doors for Youth, a drop-in center for homeless youth ages 16-24. This year, they received $5,000 to support case managers in the organization’s Connections program.

“Case managers serve as a critical connection for marginalized youth, and play a key role in helping youth find a path forward,” said executive director Cindy Ley. “Case managers use a strengths-based, youth-led approach, empowering youth to creatively problem solve and walking alongside them as they progress on goals. Through their work, Open Doors case managers give youth hope for a brighter future.”

Over 90% of WH members round their electric bill up to the next dollar, averaging a total donation of less than $x per year. That may not sound like much, but that small change makes a big difference. ORU has donated more than $5.1 million since the program began in 1994, thanks to the support of WH members who want to make a difference in their communities.

Wanting to make a difference in the community is also how Open Doors for Youth began.

“Open Doors for Youth was established by a small group of community members concerned about the lack of services available for youth experiencing homelessness in Elk River and surrounding communities in Central Minnesota,” said Ley.  Fully volunteer-run for the first year, the center now employs four staff and contracts for on-site mental health support.

“The center offers a welcoming and safe space for youth to rest and heal,” said Ley. “Youth have immediate access to hot meals, food-to-go, clothing, hygiene items, transportation assistance, and more. Youth can also receive individualized case management, and get help establishing goals to move towards greater stability and a brighter future.”

ORU also supports programs like Can Do Canines, MN Firefighters Initiative, and True Friends. Find a full list of last year’s recipients here.

“The folks that are giving money to Operation Round Up are…saving firefighter’s lives, quite literally,” said Wayne Kewitsch, Executive Director of MNFire, which received an Operation Round Up grant in 2023 to provide mental health care for firefighters experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Watch the ORU video that was shared at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

“These grants have been truly spectacular for the organization,” said Steve Piekarski, True Friends’ Senior Director of Operations. ORU grants have helped fund new roofs, air conditioning, and more for their programs. Watch the ORU video from the 2023 Annual Meeting.

To apply for an ORU grant for your organization or learn more about the program, click here.

WH employees live in the communities we serve, too! Learn about other ways WH cares for our community.