Metro Youth Diversion Center
We are committed to supporting youth through a holistic, community-centered approach that goes beyond diversion. We strive to build safer, stronger communities while uplifting youth to reach their full potential
MYDC provides culturally responsive wraparound services to include mentorship, prevention, and crisis support so youth and families can move from crisis to stability.
Choose the next step that fits you.
Whether you are a family member, youth, school partner, community organization, or donor, MYDC makes it easy to connect with support.
Refer a Youth
Connect a young person to support, guidance, and services.
Get Help
Find support for crisis, safety, health, and family needs.
Explore Programs
Learn how MYDC supports youth, families, and communities.
Partner With Us
Help us build safer communities and stronger futures.
How youth get connected to support
MYDC meets youth and families with care, respect, and a clear pathway toward stability.
Reach Out or Refer
Call us, email us, or submit a referral through our youth referral form.
We Listen and Assess
Our team works with youth, families, and partners to understand the situation and identify needs.
Youth Get Connected
We connect youth to diversion, mentorship, prevention, health, safety, and community resources.
We meet youth where they are — and help them move forward.
Our work combines prevention, intervention, mentorship, and opportunity-building to support youth before, during, and after moments of crisis.
Prevention
Helping youth and families address risks before they become deeper challenges.
- Community education and workshops
- Opioid awareness and overdose prevention
- School and community partnerships
Intervention
Providing timely support when youth, families, or communities are facing conflict or crisis.
- Youth diversion support
- Violence interruption and safe passage
- Family support and resource connection
Pathways to Success
Creating positive opportunities that help youth build confidence, skills, and direction.
- Paid internships and workforce readiness
- Mentorship and college preparation
- Leadership and life skills development
Supporting youth, families, and communities across the Twin Cities.
MYDC works with youth and families — especially those from underserved and East African communities — who need trusted support, advocacy, and access to opportunity.
Youth at Risk of Justice System Involvement
Support before, during, and after system contact.
Families Navigating Crisis
Guidance, referrals, and culturally responsive care.
Community Partners
Collaboration with schools, counties, health partners, and local organizations.
Programs that build safety, stability, and opportunity.
MYDC supports youth and families through practical, community-based programs designed to prevent harm, interrupt crisis, and create pathways forward.
Career Readiness
Youth-Career Assessment Readiness Education
Workforce development, career exploration, paid internships, and portfolio-building support for youth.
- Career workshops
- Paid internship pathways
- Resume and portfolio development
Mentorship
Intervention for College Attendance Program
Mentorship and college readiness support that helps students transition from high school into higher education.
- One-on-one guidance
- Academic and emotional support
- College readiness resources
Health & Prevention
Community Health Worker Support
Health education, resource navigation, and support that helps families access care and improve wellbeing.
- Health resource navigation
- Community education
- Support for underserved families
Prevention
Community Violence Interrupters
Trusted credible messengers provide safe passage, violence interruption, peacemaking, and community engagement.
- Safe passage services
- Conflict mediation
- Community resource referrals
Real support. Real relationships. Real community impact.
MYDC creates opportunities to redirect youth toward safety, stability, and success.
Community members trained in opioid awareness
Serving underserved communities since
Core program areas supporting youth and families
Refer a Youth to MYDC
Connect a young person to trusted support, guidance, and culturally responsive services through Metro Youth Diversion Center.
Start Youth Referral FormThis form is not for emergencies. For immediate danger, call 911. For MYDC support, call 612-423-3919.
Need support or resources?
Call MYDC at 612-423-3919. Our team can help connect youth and families to diversion, mentorship, crisis support, health navigation, and community resources.
Community change takes collaboration.
MYDC works alongside public agencies, healthcare partners, schools, and community organizations to support youth and families across the Twin Cities.
Together, we can create safer communities and stronger futures for youth.
Connect with MYDC today to refer a youth, request support, build a partnership, or invest in community-based diversion.