Neighborhood Youth Services Staff Walk Out Over Frustrations

The Family Freedom Center says it has met with staff and will respond promptly.

DULUTH, Minn. — Staff from Neighborhood Youth Services in Duluth say they have walked out for the second time in less than a year. They say it’s due to ongoing frustrations with the organization’s operator, the Family Freedom Center.

The mission of Neighborhood Youth Services, or NYS, is to create a “safe and prosperous space for children and families.”

The staff says a major change is needed to continue that work.

Last Thursday, they staged a walk out, demanding the Family Freedom Center Board release its Executive Director or end its role as operator of NYS.

Senior Youth Specialist Aaron Gelineau, who has worked for NYS for over 29 years, says he can see an impact from the issues on the families he works to help.

“Trying to keep a positive atmosphere for our kids and families to become successful out there, it’s not possible anymore with the lack of leadership, the lack of direction, and the toxic environment,” said Gelineau.

According to Gelineau, the Family Freedom Center has made promises they have not lived up to since the organizations first partnered.

Freedom Center’s Executive Director Jacob Bell said that Monday he and the full board of directors met with staff members.

“We heard everything they said, and we are taking that all under consideration,” said Bell. “We will respond to the staff promptly.”

Bell said that in the meantime, the primary goal continues to be to keep the Center and its programs open and running for the kids.

He said the Center has continued to operate even while the current issues are being discussed.

Gelineau said the program averages sixty to eighty kids a day, but says he thinks it’s a very real possibility NYS could have to close its doors, which would strain other community services and family centers.