TreeHouse---Wendy Gray
"Bringing hope to hurting youth and families leading to life transformation"
Hey everyone! Welcome to my website. In case you don't know, I work for a faith based non profit called TreeHouse, that ministers to at risk youth in the suburbs of the Twin Cities.
Part of my job is to raise money for the organization, so that all the programs and activities we provide the youth stay free to them. I need to maintain my monthly goal throughout my time at TreeHouse, so if you haven't donated yet, please click on the Support tab to see how you can help!
Thank you for taking the time to check out this site, and to learn a little bit more about what I will be doing,
and the different ways that TreeHouse transforms the lives of hurting teenagers and families on a daily basis.
Click on the tabs above to learn more about the organization and ways you can help support.
Donate Now
"Now Wendy, don't forget to, Be a friend, have a friend." I heard that every single day as I went to school. Little did I know that this concept would mold me into who I am today. I grew up in the church. Doin the pastors kid thing.
Moved 7 times by my senior of high school. I got used to being the new kid.
I got used to having to make friends . And I got used to being a friend to others, because most of the time, I gained friends in the process.
From early on in life I learned that I loved hanging out with people.
I loved learning their past, listening to their hearts, and learning on how I can be a part of it. Coffee dates are my thing. Just two people talking about life. Encouraging each other. Loving each other.
I loved doin the youth group thing. Young life thing. Bible study thing. Mission trip thing. Gettin people to understand how worthwhile and loved they were was my thing. Serving people. Thats what I was about.
Moved my senior year of high school. That was a blow. Having my parents getting divorced after 28 years. That was a blow. Life wasn't so happy anymore. Thankfully went to South America and learned how much joy there is on livng simply. Serving. Loving. Encouraging. Came back and got a Business Communications degree. Knew I wanted to serve others. Worked for a Christian publishing company that rocked my world. They make peoples testimones into life changing books. It was at this company that my heart started to ache for the 9 year old girl who was sexually abused . For the 12 year old boy whose parents were too concerned about their image, and not enough concerned about their child. For the 16 year old girl who got pregnant and had an abortion because she felt like there was no other way. Where were the people in their lives encouraging them? Supporting them? Loving them?
Thats what I get to do at TreeHouse. I get to have coffee with teens and talk about life. I get to encourage them. Love them. I get to play kickball, go white water rafting, go to Twins games, and dance with them. I get to do the youth group thing. The Bible study thing. The mission trip thing. I get to show them how loveable, capable, worthwhile, they are. I get to serve them.
I get to be a friend, have a friend.
About Me
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TreeHouse is a faith-based non-profit organization with the mission statement of bringing hope to hurting youth and families leading to life transformation. There are many different issues that teens deal with today: anger, depression, suicide, cutting, abusive families, drugs & alcohol, and many others. TreeHouse fosters life transformation by providing long-term mentoring relationships and balanced programing (described to the right).
TreeHouse staff members build caring, long-term relationships with youth and equip them with skills to cope and grow in a complex world. They take guarded, confused, and lonely teens and help them become vibrant, open, and full of hope.
Whether staff members are teaching, mentoring, or leading a trip or retreat, loving youth is a top priority. The TreeHouse staff help bridge the gap between how youth view themselves and who they really are.
TreeHouse youth are referred by friends, family, school counselors, courts, probation officers, and churches.
Programming
Activities
Activities are scheduled at each TreeHouse. These are times for the kids to come together and have fun outside of the regularly scheduled program times. The activities are social times where staff and youth get out and have a great time. A day at an amusement park, playing football, going fishing or snowboarding are just a few examples of TreeHouse activities.
One-to-Ones
One-to-ones are meetings between a TreeHouse staff member and a youth. These meetings usually occur after school. One to ones allow the staff and youth to build a relationship that would not be possible in a group setting. Youth are more comfortable sharing some issues when they are not in a group. One to ones may find the pair at a fast food restaurant, a sporting event, a park or any place the youth and staff agree upon. For many of our kids, this is one of the best parts of our program because they have a safe, caring adult all to themselves.
Support Groups
Support groups meet at each TreeHouse on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 PM until 8:30 or 9:00 PM depending upon the schedule at your TreeHouse. Transportation is provided.
During support group, youth will ‘check-in’. Kids say their name, rate how their week is going and give one or two words to describe how they are feeling right at the moment. Support group provides a safe environment where youth can give and receive support surrounding important issues in their life. Participation is voluntary, but usually attendance at support group indicates a willingness to be actively involved in the discussion.
Youth learn that they are not alone in dealing with any issue. There is always someone who can relate to what is going on in another group member’s life. Kids learn how to support someone else in need. They come to realize that they are lovable, capable and worthwhile. They find out that support group is a place where they are always listened to and what they say matters to others.
Going Deeper
Going Deeper meets at each TreeHouse on Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Transportation is provided. This program was set up to meet the developing spiritual and personal skills that youth need to be successful in life. Games, skits, lyrics, movie clips and teaching are all part of the fun of Thursday nights. Staff members use the TeenHope curriculum, which is based on the assets of the Search Institute, to develop each evening’s activities.
Growth Groups
Growth Groups are smaller, closed groups of students that typically have a common bond. For example, a male staff may have a growth group of guys whose fathers are all in prison, or a female staff may have a growth goup of girls who all cut. The purpose of these groups is to provide specific coping skills and accountability in a small group setting, for teenagers dealing with tough issues.
Retreats
Retreats are scheduled four times a year for each TreeHouse. Retreats are held on the weekends. Time away from a youth’s regular schedule allows for reflection and often results in seeing situations in a different light. Retreats allow staff to “bulk up” time with the kids. By spending an extended period of time together, new lines of communication often open. Retreats always have a theme that allows kids to decide whether or not they want to participate. Food and fun are a part of every retreat.
Adventure Trips
On adventure trips youth are provided new, healthy and emotional challenges. Time away form their normal routine and environment helps them develop new ways to view themselves and their abilities.. They beging to realize that their potential is far greater than they ever imagined. High-adventure trips often include camping, boating, hiking, or white-water rafting.
Service Projects
Everyone needs to know that they have something to offer the world. Service projects allow each youth to experience first-hand the satisfaction of helping another person. Through these experiences our youth discover new ways to use their talents. Whether the opportunity is close to home or across the country, the TreeHouse program offers our kids opportunities to serve others. Painting someone’s home, running a vacation Bible school, or spending time with the elderly are all examples of service projects that are done at each TreeHouse. Past participants will tell you that theses trips have changed their life.
Parent Support & Education Groups
Weekly parent group provides a respectful environment in which parents experience a sense of belonging and support through the difficult task of parenting. An educational program provides information that fosters a better understanding of teen behavior and teaches effective parenting methods and skills...
Transforming Lives (4:45)
Bringing Hope (7:36)
If you have any questions, would like to set up a time to meet so I could tell you a little more, or maybe have another idea of a way you could help, I would love to hear from you. The best ways to reach me are by sending an e-mail, or calling my cell phone. Or, feel free to use the box on the right to send me a message.
email: wgray_treehouseyouth.orgtelephone: (612) 636-6356
email: wgray_treehouseyouth.org
telephone: (612) 636-6356
If you are interested in partnering up with me financially, click on the "Donate Now" button at the bottom left corner of the page. This will pull up the online donation page of the TreeHouse website. *Although I would appreciate any support you have to offer, I am really striving for monthly support to help me in this mission to serve others. These donations are the most sustainable, but as previously stated, all donations are a blessing.
I appreciate all of your support, both prayers and finances, more than you could ever know. Thank you so much for partnering up with the ministry that I'm doing through TreeHouse! I'm excited that together we'll be able to change the lives of many hurting teens and families for a long time to come.
