Nexus Family Healing

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Hormel Foundation $5.3m Award Supports New Youth Dormitory at Gerard Campus

Austin, Minn. – (Dec. 5, 2025) Nexus Family Healing has been awarded a grant of $5.3 million by The Hormel Foundation toward construction of a new youth dormitory on the Gerard campus in Austin, MN.  The campus was formerly the estate of Jay C. Hormel.

This award, received in partnership with the Austin Community Charitable Fund (part of the Development Corporation of Austin), is the largest community foundation grant ever received by Nexus Family Healing.

“We are incredibly grateful for this support from The Hormel Foundation,” said Joelene Evenson, Nexus Family Healing Vice President of Philanthropy.  “This investment will create more comfortable and trauma-informed spaces for youth healing from trauma and mental health challenges, and it will enhance the work environment for the dedicated employees who care for them.”  

This is a critical time for such an investment, when the need for youth mental health resources is growing and recruitment of a skilled mental health workforce can be challenging given the shortages of such professionals, especially in rural areas.

“The local investments made by individuals and organizations across Mower County provide critical support that help us respond to the mental health needs of children and families in Mower County and across Minnesota.” said long-time Austin resident Karen Wolf, Executive Director of Gerard campus.

Construction of the new dormitory is expected to begin in Spring 2026 with completion in early 2027. Hormel Foundation funds will support 50% of the project with Nexus financing the remainder.

Nexus Family Healing is a national nonprofit mental health organization that restores hope for thousands of children, families, and adults each year through services in community mental health, crisis and stabilization, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment. For over 50 years, we’ve used innovative, personalized approaches to heal trauma, break cycles of harm, and reshape futures. We believe every child is worth it — and every family matters.