The Mosaic Youth Center concept was borne out of forums held by the Robbinsdale Area Redesign Family Service Collaborative for in 1996 and 1997. Forum participants discussed many of their needs but were unanimous in only one: the need for a place high school students could "hang", have fun, exercise their artistic talents, and get some help.

The place the youth described was safe, drug-free, and most of all, their own. One youth put it best when he said students, "...don't want security, we want supervision." The community has expressed a great need for supervised teen activities during after-school hours for the district's many dual income and single-parent working families.

During 1997, a number of steps were taken to garner community support and increase awareness of the Mosaic Youth Center Project. Youth wrote and administered over 1500 surveys in area high schools to determine whether there was general youth support of the idea.  More than two thirds of the youth felt that "teens need a place of their own to hang out", and over 50% of the youth expressed a willingness to take a direct role in starting the youth center.

In 1998, a full-time Youth Center Coordinator was hired.  In addition, the Mosaic Youth Center Advisory Council was developed.  Four key partner organizations also joined the Mosaic Youth Center project: Robbinsdale Area Redesign, Annex Teen Clinic, Fairview Recovery Services and Family & Children's Service Northwest.

In 2003, the Friends of the Mosaic Youth Center, Inc. (FOM) incorporated.  FOM's primary responsibility is promotion and fundraising for the Mosaic Youth Center programs.  The FOM Board of Directors is made up of community members and stakeholders who are committed to ensuring the Mosaic remains in the northwest for years to come.

Currently, the Mosaic provides a variety of programs for middle and high school youth.  The Mosaic has two full-time staff members and a number of part-time staff members who are committed to helping all youth build upon their own academic, social, recreational, leadership and creative abilities for the benefit of the northwest suburbs now and in the future.

To learn more about the Mosaic Youth Center, call 612-749-9561 or email info@mosaicyouthcenter.com.