A new youth shelter officially opened in Rochester, Minnesota, on November 13, 2023, offering a safe haven for up to 12 teenagers facing homelessness or other crises. The Southeast Minnesota Youth Shelter replaces the former VonWald Youth Shelter, which had served the community since the 1980s. The newly constructed facility is designed to provide a more supportive environment for young individuals in need.
During the opening ceremony, Dan Pfarr, president and CEO of 180 Degrees, the organization operating the shelter, emphasized the importance of the new building. “The building is just the vessel,” Pfarr stated. “It’s the place where kids go, where our staff work, and it’s a place for healing.”
The new shelter, completed ahead of schedule, features 12 individual bedrooms—a significant improvement from the previous structure, which only had eight rooms and often required teens to share. This change aims to reduce anxiety among residents, creating a more comfortable living environment. Program manager Christina Tollefson shared insights into the challenges faced at the old shelter, recalling how teens would wake up to unfamiliar faces in shared rooms, causing distress.
Located on the same 7-acre property south of Rochester, the new facility is significantly larger and boasts modern amenities, including a spacious dining area, a kitchen, a fitness room, and various common areas for recreation. “They have the opportunity to spread out,” Tollefson noted. “They can go in game rooms, they can go in art rooms, or if they just feel like they need a different space.”
The design of the shelter prioritizes safety and comfort for residents aged 12 to 19, who may stay for days, weeks, or even months. Pfarr highlighted that the focus is on fostering an environment where youth can feel secure, enabling them to work toward personal goals such as graduating from high school or securing their first job.
Carla Nelson, a state senator from Rochester, reflected on the facility’s potential for resilience among youth. “I am particularly pleased to think about the youth who have this beautiful facility now filled with light and love and joy and opportunity,” she remarked during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
At the event, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton paid tribute to the vision of the late Chuck VonWald, a former Olmsted County sheriff who established the original shelter. “The sheriff’s vision was having that safe, secure place where children feel supported and loved,” Norton stated. “That’s what it’s all about.”
The shelter’s construction cost approximately $10 million, funded by Olmsted County, the city of Eyota, and Stearns Bank. Pfarr noted that last year, the shelter served youth from across Southeast Minnesota, indicating a continued commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in the region.
As the Southeast Minnesota Youth Shelter opens its doors, it stands as a testament to the community’s dedication to providing a nurturing and safe environment for young individuals navigating difficult circumstances.
