Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation

Urban Ventures is a faith-based, non-profit organization that focuses on the Central and Phillips neighborhoods of south Minneapolis.

Our mission is to break the cycle of generational poverty in our community by developing youth leadership and strengthening families.

Founded in 1993, Urban Ventures serves more than 3,000 children, youth and adults each year. Urban Ventures is a safe place for program participants to identify and overcome obstacles, discover faith, connect with caring staff, and be empowered to make positive life choices.

Programs include:

Center for Fathering : Empowers men to become more effective and engaged fathers through parenting classes and mentoring. Through classes, men are encouraged to become responsible for their actions, accountable to others, and a role model to raise successful children and strengthen their family.

LaVictoria : Youth group that offers fellowship and support to Latino youth in 6th-12th grade. The group meets for a meal, a lesson and discussion in empowerment groups that offer support and character building.

Learning Lab : A year-round, academic support program for students in 1st-12th grade. Our after-school program focuses on math, reading, science, the arts, and character development.

PowerHouse : Program that gives special attention to youth ages 12-18 who may be struggling personally, in school or at home. Youth form stable relationships with caring adult staff and develop skills that help them to cope in healthy ways with difficult situations they may be facing.

Ready? Set! Work... : This program in conjuction with the Center for Fathering, specializes in helping ex-offenders and individuals who have barriers to employment. We work with area business owners and organizations to identify jobs that would be open to individuals with limited experience.

Recording Studio : A fully operational recording facility that offers classes for middle and high school youth in guitar, piano, vocal, and music production and engineering.

Siempre Padres : A program offered in Spanish that provides support, parenting classes, and home visits to Latino and other families. The program provides an opportunity for men and women to spend “time together” with their children while gaining knowledge and training to help raise successful children and strengthen their family.

Skate Park: An indoor/outdoor skateboard park complete with mini-ramps and street elements. The program is free and open to kids ages 18 and under. Instructors and adult volunteers act as teachers as well as mentors.

Urban Stars Basketball : A year-round program for boys and girls ages 5-18 at different levels of ability. The Urban Stars basketball program is located in the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center. Four courts are available for training, leagues and tournaments.

Urban Stars Soccer : A year-round program for boys and girls ages 5-19 at several different levels of ability. Teams play on two soccer fields- KIX and Honeywell, during the outdoor season and the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center during the indoor season.

Read our stories at www.urbanventures.org.