About Us
What is True North AmeriCorps?
True North AmeriCorps (TNAC) is a program of the Lake Superior YMCA dedicated to engaging citizens in solving community problems related to education and youth development. Members of this program work with youth in various capacities, ranging from interpersonal skills and social competencies to general homework assistance.
This program began in 2003 and has been serving the community in various capacities ever since. In 2019, the program shifted it’s focus to building the interpersonal skill and social competencies of youth in grades K-8 in Northeastern Minnesota.
A high school degree is critical for success in the 21st century, but youth from areas of concentrated poverty and rural communities may experience factors that can make this more difficult, including lower graduation rates, increased poverty, and other social vulnerabilities. True North AmeriCorps’ (TNAC) Theory of Change posits that deploying positive adults to facilitate interventions for at-risk youth in schools, out-of-school time, drop-in, and community-based programs will improve participants’ interpersonal and social competency skills, providing connection and engagement in learning, ultimately increasing their likelihood to graduate high school on time.
What Do True North AmeriCorps Members Do?
True North AmeriCorps members engage youth in one-on-one, small group, and “teachable moment” skill building which is linked to increased success in school and in life. TNAC Members work with youth on:
- Effective communication
- Active listening
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Teamwork
- Conflict resolution
- Leadership skills
- Social awareness
- Empathy
- Responsible decision making
- Relationship skills
Program Goals:
Increase Social Competencies and Interpersonal Skills
Increase youth participants’ social competencies and interpersonal skills through site-based enrichment programming, individualized support, and targeted skill building.
Increase Capacity
Increase the capacity of Partner Sites to meet the needs of youth.
Increase Significant Caring Adults
Increase the number of significant, caring adults in participants’ lives through member placement and volunteer mobilization.
70%
Of students on TNAC caseloads show a significant increase in their social competency skills.
33,000
Impactful interventions completed by TNAC members in the last 2 years with youth at their sites.
37
Members served across 30+ different sites around Northeastern MN in 25-26.
96%
Of Members that served last year shared that participating in TNAC had a positive impact on them.
What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 50,000 Americans annually in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs related to education, public safety, health, and the environment.
AmeriCorps opens the door for citizens to create change in a variety of ways. Through their service and the volunteers they mobilize, AmeriCorps members uplift communities throughout the country.
At True North AmeriCorps, members get connected with schools and nonprofit organizations to tackle the area’s important unmet needs of youth.
AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency created to connect citizens of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their nation.
IMPACT
Serving with True North AmeriCorps makes a remarkable impact on our members. From confidence building to community engagement, the benefits are multidimensional. To learn more about that impact, read the statistics below and check out our alumni testimonial video.
AmeriCorps was established to engage citizens in action towards community improvement. In the 2024-2025 service term, TNAC members invested 26,241 hours in service at our partner sites. As much as we invest in the community, our community invests in us!
True North AmeriCorps members provide individualized support for youth with identified risk factors across Northern Minnesota. Just one additional adult in a child’s life can make a world of difference in their resiliency and ability to keep trying when things get hard. Our members invest time and energy into building powerfully positive relationships.
Ready to Make a Difference?
***True North AmeriCorps is facilitated by the Lake Superior YMCA and funded by AmeriCorps, ServeMinnesota, and our local partners.