YouthBank Celebrates 10 Years of Powerful Youth-Led Community Improvements
March 19, 2025
We celebrated 10 years of Northfield YouthBank this past Saturday and took a look back at some of the great programs and youth-driven change that YouthBank grants have supported over the years. From the construction of Arcadia Charter School’s hoop house, to providing instruments to the Key Youth Center, and the inception of Community Youth Activity Night (CYAN), Northfield youth have worked to shape the city. In the most recent round of funding this spring, Northfield YouthBank awarded over $7,000 of grant money to five projects for the 2024-25 school year.
Highlights from 10 Years of Great Ideas!
2015: Viking Terrace Playground
Three ninth graders at Northfield High School applied for funding to construct new playground equipment at Viking Terrace. With updated equipment, the applicants hoped to increase the number of children who could safely play outside away from the street.
2017: Community Youth Activity Night (CYAN)
Held at First UCC in Northfield, CYAN was designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth outside of school. CYAN provided twice-monthly meetings to build community with other queer youth and adults.
“As a gay youth, CYAN has provided me a space where I’ve met friends I didn’t know I had and has allowed me to become more comfortable in who I am.”
2019: Key Youth Center Instruments
Three young people from the Northfield Union of Youth applied for funds to purchase instruments for the Key Youth Center. These instruments are free for youth to use at the Key. Additionally, in partnership with St. Olaf College music students, youth at the Key could receive free music lessons.
2020: Black Student Union Book Club
In the midst of the pandemic and in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, youth from the Black Student Union applied for funds to host a community book club. BSU youth sought to continue to raise awareness of racial injustice in the United States.
2021: Arcadia Charter School’s Hoop House
Students from Arcadia Charter School applied for funds to support the construction of a Hoop House on Arcadia’s campus. Arcadia students utilize the Hoop House for project-based learning activities related to gardening and sustainable farming practices. Produce from the Hoop House goes back to youth and families in the community.
2022: Hucks Ultimate Frisbee Intramural Team
Hucks was a club Ultimate Frisbee team in Northfield. This co-ed community team had daily outdoor practices during the late spring and summer and participated in tournaments. YouthBank funds supported Dundas Dome practice time, equipment, and jersey costs.
2023: Indoor Skate Ramps
In conversations with peers, YouthBank leaders heard again and again the need for gathering spaces, especially in the winter. Three students, with the support of Northfield’s 310 Underground, worked to construct indoor skate ramps for young people to use when the skate park wasn’t available.
2024: Water Station at Northfield Skate Park
Inspired by a previous application, YouthBank team members moved forward with installing a water-filling station at the Northfield Skate Park – providing water access to both skatepark users and Mill Towns State Trail bikers and walkers.
