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Mr Mittens, a black and white tuxedo cat, sitting on his cat tree at New Trails Group Home in Onamia, MN

The Cat Who Cares

Our Nexus Mille-Lacs New Trails Group Home in Onamia, MN, has added a new member to their home – of the fluffy variety. Mr. Mittens was a stray cat that staff and youth noticed hanging around, looking for food in the dumpster. The youth at New Trails started to leave out food and water for him, as well as attention. The staff at New Trails decided to make Mr. Mittens an official member of the house after witnessing him comfort a youth, who had gone outside to sit on the front steps.
Maria standing in the hallway of her high school

Overcoming Her Fears

Maria is just like any other teenage girl. She has multiple activities on her plate – school, sports, and theatre to balance all at once. But Maria is different from other teens – she no longer lives with her family, and never will again. In October 2021, Maria was staying at referred her to Nexus-Indian Oak’s Lighthouse Girl’s Group Home, which was a turning point for Maria. 
Dontavius at his high school graduation

Reaching New Heights

In the late winter of 2021, Dontavius arrived at Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing. Like many youth who come to us for residential care, Dontavius had a complicated history due to the effects of trauma.
Sharon drops off bags of winter coat donations for Nexus youth

Inspiring Generational Giving

In 2020, Sharon, a resident of Buffalo, MN, came across a WCCO news story highlighting Nexus Family Healing’s need for small suitcases and duffle bags for youth in foster care. Sharon reached out to Nexus Family Healing to see how she could help, and has now passed her love of giving to her grandchildren.
Elyssa and her twin boys sitting on a couch smiling at the camera

A Bright Future Ahead

Elyssa is a proud parent of five-year-old twin boys. While in preschool last year, Elyssa and the boys’ teachers noticed that their social play was a little “off” and that they were not participating in groups or playing with the other children. The preschool referred Elyssa to Nexus-FACTS where a diagnostic assessment was completed, and the children received a preliminary diagnosis of Autism.
Charlotte, a young five year old girl, smiling at the camera.

Learning Trust

Charlotte, 5 years old, started her kindergarten year of school extremely dysregulated. Charlotte was referred to Nexus-PATH’s School Case Management where her case manager worked with her and her parents to build relationships and identify what she needed to be successful.
Julia holding her cell phone in her hands and looking upward like she is looking forward to her future.

Learning to Self-Advocate

In late 2018, Julia was referred to the Healthy Transitions program at Nexus-Kindred by Douglas County. Julie was almost 18 and determined, anxious, and unsure of where to begin.
An Asian teenage girl signing the letter L in American Sign Language

Leading with Trauma-Informed Care

Many youths come into Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing’s Residential Treatment program with a unique set of needs and unsafe behaviors. Our staff work diligently to provide not only daily living needs, but to also provide daily trauma-informed care and treatment interventions designed to address the underlying issue(s) causing their unsafe behaviors.
Tory delivering hundreds of Summer Boredom kit items to Nexus-Kindred Family Healing.

An Opportunity to Give Back

Local Girl Scout Troop #17697 is unique group of young girls. Run by Tory Thelen-Woldstad for over two decades, this troop is for girls grades 6-12 who don’t have a troop, or who want to join but don’t have any Girl Scout experience. Read how Tory and her troop organized a summer drive as their community service project.
Nexus-Woodbourne staff holding up a handmade sign to celebrate another win for their basketball team, the Midnight Bulls

Triumph & Community

Imagine the sounds of excitement as an entire gymnasium cheer as their basketball team wins game after game. The Nexus-Woodbourne campus rallied behind their basketball team, the Midnight Bulls, as they won their way to an undefeated 2021-2022 season.