WILLMAR — Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota on Thursday announced the opening of a Youth Resource Center in Willmar. The center is located within Bethel Lutheran Church, 411 Becker Ave. S.W. in downtown Willmar.
The center is intended to serve youth up to 24 years old from eight counties in southwest Minnesota — Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, McLeod, Meeker, Renville and Swift — and focuses on those experiencing homelessness.
"The space, originally built for Sunday school, was renovated to offer a safe space and welcoming environment for youth, where they can access community support and essential resources, and build trusting relationships," according to a news release from LSS.
The center provides a kitchen, food pantry, access to warm meals, a clothing closet, laundry room, shower, computer lab, printer, free Wi-Fi and a communal gathering space.
“Spaces like this help youth build trust and community. Here, they can connect with supportive adults as well as peers who are facing similar challenges,” said Angie Mateski, LSS director of youth services in Willmar and a former LSS youth program participant, in the release. “This resource center is an essential component to helping youth from across the region move from crisis to long-term stability.”
The Rev. Jon Dahl of Bethel Lutheran Church views the new center as an extension of the church’s mission.
“I’m so proud of the Bethel congregation for seeing the need and being eager to meet it,” he said in the release.
The Willmar facility is the fourth LSS youth resource center in the state, with other locations in Mankato, Rochester and St. Cloud. LSS supported more than 1,000 young people at its youth resource centers in 2024.
The Trust Project
