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TheShop wasnāt built in a boardroom or created overnight. It started back in 2009 when a coalition of local youth organizationsāthe Youth Wellness Initiative (YWI)ācame together to tackle a simple question: What do the teens of Crow Wing County actually need?
Turns out, they needed four big things: peer wellness education, a real voice in the community, creative outlets for media and art, and above allāa space to call their own.
It was time to take the leap.
Turns out, they needed four big things: peer wellness education, a real voice in the community, creative outlets for media and art, and above allāa space to call their own.
It was time to take the leap.
From Sweet Treats to Street Cred (2010)
In April 2010, the team rented a cozy downtown storefront. With the help of an AmeriCorps volunteer and a U of M Promise Fellow, it was time to define the mission and pick a name.
The building had a rich local pastāit had previously housed a chocolate shop, a watch repair shop, and a jewelry store. But instead of letting adults name the new space, they put it to a vote among the teens themselves. The youth chose a name that honored the building's working-class roots while carving out their own identity: TheShop.
By August 2010, TheShop held its official Grand Opening. Powered by donated furniture, books, video games, art supplies, and a tiny crew of one adult manager and two youth clerks, local teens instantly embraced the space and made it their home.
Leveling Up on Washington Street (2013āPresent)
Word spread fast, and by 2013, the original storefront was bursting at the seams. In October 2013, TheShop packed its bags and moved down the road to 723 Washington Street, more than doubling its footprint to welcome even more youth ages 13ā18.
Walk by today and you can't miss itājust look for the stack of bikes surrounding the front door and teens hanging out at the picnic tables waiting for the doors to open. While our programs, events, and activities constantly evolve with each new generation of teens, that original, welcoming energy remains exactly the same.
Join The BBYC Board
Contact us if you are interested in working collaboratively for healthy futures through community connections.
Lenaj Smith (She/They)
Interim Executive Director
Lenaj has years of work experience in behavioral healthcare, which is where she discovered her passion for serving youth. Returning to Brainerd as a young adult, she became involved at TheShop again, having been a former youth who benefitted from the space. Now, she leads youth by walking alongside them as they approach major life transitions, ensuring that no young person gets left behind.
Chris Mathison
Manager
Chris serves as General Manager of TheShop, where he helps create a welcoming, relaxed space for young people to connect, be themselves, & feel like they belong. He especially enjoys building relationships with youth, developing programs and activities, and finding ways to make TheShop a place people genuinely want to spend time, a SAFE 3rd space. He is also a Certified Peer Support Counselor, which plays a large part in being able to relate, & be a good mentor to the youth.
Outside of work, Chris is a huge sports fanatic & avid fantasy football coach, & can usually be counted on for a healthy dose of sarcasm & chuckles. He resides in his hometown of Brainerd where he has lived for 41 years, with his floofy ginger kitty, Nova, who is AKA āTheShop Cat."
Outside of work, Chris is a huge sports fanatic & avid fantasy football coach, & can usually be counted on for a healthy dose of sarcasm & chuckles. He resides in his hometown of Brainerd where he has lived for 41 years, with his floofy ginger kitty, Nova, who is AKA āTheShop Cat."
The BBYC Board of Directors
Chloe Baker (she/her)
Board Chair
Chloe is a longtime community advocate who is passionate about supporting local youth and building a stronger, more connected community. With a background in nonprofit leadership, community education, and outreach, Chloe loves bringing people together, building relationships, and turning ideas into action.
As Board Chair of TheShop, Chloe is excited to support the mission and help ensure local youth have a safe, welcoming place to connect, grow and feel like they belong.
Outside of her professional and community work, Chloe is a mom to two busy boys and loves spending time with her family, getting involved in the community, and keeping an iced coffee close by
As Board Chair of TheShop, Chloe is excited to support the mission and help ensure local youth have a safe, welcoming place to connect, grow and feel like they belong.
Outside of her professional and community work, Chloe is a mom to two busy boys and loves spending time with her family, getting involved in the community, and keeping an iced coffee close by
Laura Rathe
Board Vice Chair
Laura retired several years ago, began volunteering at TheShop and joined the board. She
loves hanging out with the funny and talented youth, hearing their ideas, and learning from
them. She was lucky enough when she was a teenager to have adults who were there for her.
These kids really care about each other and give her hope for the future.
loves hanging out with the funny and talented youth, hearing their ideas, and learning from
them. She was lucky enough when she was a teenager to have adults who were there for her.
These kids really care about each other and give her hope for the future.
Sally Boos
BBYC Board
I am a retired middle school special education teacher who for many years after retiring tutored
kids of all ages, helping them to improve their academic skills as well as learn organization and
life skills. I love being at TheShop, talking to the kids is an invigorating experience. TheShopās
mission to improve overall wellness and to help kids be everything they can be, is dear to my
heart.
kids of all ages, helping them to improve their academic skills as well as learn organization and
life skills. I love being at TheShop, talking to the kids is an invigorating experience. TheShopās
mission to improve overall wellness and to help kids be everything they can be, is dear to my
heart.
Cindy Moore
BBYC Board
After Ā¼ of a century (do the math!) In tourism, Cindy landed back in the service community. The
flip was from helping vacationers sayā¦ I had a good time and want to come back to now
hearing teens and young adults sayā¦. I want to live independently but I havenāt a clue where to
begin. My ājobā was to offer them all the vowels they needed to survive and grow. What keeps
me smiling is the youth I see in and around TheShop. Itās an honor to watch them grow into the
who they are becoming.
flip was from helping vacationers sayā¦ I had a good time and want to come back to now
hearing teens and young adults sayā¦. I want to live independently but I havenāt a clue where to
begin. My ājobā was to offer them all the vowels they needed to survive and grow. What keeps
me smiling is the youth I see in and around TheShop. Itās an honor to watch them grow into the
who they are becoming.
Nick Benskin
BBYC Board
New to the Brainerd Lakes Area, Nick oversees operations of the Gichi-Ziibi Performing
Arts Center. He works with students involved in music and drama. Heās married with
two kids and involved with the Brainerd Elks.
Arts Center. He works with students involved in music and drama. Heās married with
two kids and involved with the Brainerd Elks.
Cotten Paul Kemp
BBYC Board
Cotton, a transplant from central AR, grew up in the Brainerd Lakes Area where he
finished high school before embarking on a several years journeying across the country eventually returning home with his wife, best friend and partner Kat, to raise their four kids. With a passion for writing, drawing, sewing, and music, Cotton finds solace in the tranquility of fishing and the thrill of the outdoors and the arts. An avid punk rock enthusiast, he finds inspiration in its raw energy and rebellious spirit, channeling it into his creative pursuits and family adventures in the heart of Minnesota.
finished high school before embarking on a several years journeying across the country eventually returning home with his wife, best friend and partner Kat, to raise their four kids. With a passion for writing, drawing, sewing, and music, Cotton finds solace in the tranquility of fishing and the thrill of the outdoors and the arts. An avid punk rock enthusiast, he finds inspiration in its raw energy and rebellious spirit, channeling it into his creative pursuits and family adventures in the heart of Minnesota.
Nova
Honorary Board Member
Our furry little ball of floof is also an honorary board member, with the title of "Secretary of boops & meows." Nova is a Ginger mix of Ragdoll & Maine Coon. He is also a Certified Emotional Support Pet, which comes in handy around TheShop as well!
Partnerships and Collaboration
If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together.
This African Proverb is one of our mantras. We are where we are because of our growing partnerships and collaborations from the humble vision put forth by the Youth Wellness Initiative nearly 12 years ago.
Partnerships include financial support through foundation grants, donations from our local service clubs and organizations, and support from individual donors. Collaborations keep us connected with volunteers for our programs and logistical support for our staff. And huge shout out for our extended family of supporters who keep our youth from going hungry with healthy snacks, evening meals, wonderful baked goods and for those who keep youth supplied with dry socks, warm gloves, hygiene goods, and clean tee shirts.
THANK YOU! We all do better when we all do better.
This African Proverb is one of our mantras. We are where we are because of our growing partnerships and collaborations from the humble vision put forth by the Youth Wellness Initiative nearly 12 years ago.
Partnerships include financial support through foundation grants, donations from our local service clubs and organizations, and support from individual donors. Collaborations keep us connected with volunteers for our programs and logistical support for our staff. And huge shout out for our extended family of supporters who keep our youth from going hungry with healthy snacks, evening meals, wonderful baked goods and for those who keep youth supplied with dry socks, warm gloves, hygiene goods, and clean tee shirts.
THANK YOU! We all do better when we all do better.
Bethel Lutheran Church
Park United Methodist Church
First Congregational Church
Lutheran Church of the Cross
Grace United Methodist Church
Crosslake Presbyterian Church
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Park United Methodist Church
First Congregational Church
Lutheran Church of the Cross
Grace United Methodist Church
Crosslake Presbyterian Church
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation
Initiative Foundation of Central MN
United Way of Crow Wing and Southern Cass Counties
Otto Bremer Trust
Best Buy Community Grants
Blandin Foundation
Region 5 Economic Development Foundation
Brainerd Community Action
Initiative Foundation of Central MN
United Way of Crow Wing and Southern Cass Counties
Otto Bremer Trust
Best Buy Community Grants
Blandin Foundation
Region 5 Economic Development Foundation
Brainerd Community Action
Sage on Laurel
Big Jayās Pizza
612 Station
Senor Patronās
Mickeyās Subs
Big Jayās Pizza
612 Station
Senor Patronās
Mickeyās Subs
Brainerd Lions
Brainerd Elks
Brainerd VFW
Central MN Rotary
Sertoma
Kiwanis
Brainerd Women of Today
Brainerd Masons
Lake Hubert Womenās Club
The Center
Mid MN Womenās Center
Fed Ex
Brainerd Elks
Brainerd VFW
Central MN Rotary
Sertoma
Kiwanis
Brainerd Women of Today
Brainerd Masons
Lake Hubert Womenās Club
The Center
Mid MN Womenās Center
Fed Ex
WeARE The Clinic
Lutheran Social Services
Crow Wing County Community Services
Central Lakes College
ISD 181
Sprout MN ā Growers and Makers Marketplace
The Crossing Arts Alliance
Easy Riders
Lutheran Social Services
Crow Wing County Community Services
Central Lakes College
ISD 181
Sprout MN ā Growers and Makers Marketplace
The Crossing Arts Alliance
Easy Riders
