A fresh start begins with more than a roof. In this reflection, Onward Program Manager Crystal Madison shares how residents, board members, and volunteers came together to help others moving into housing—and what that says about resilience, dignity, and community.

Why serve on the Onward Board of Directors? In this guest post, Onward Board President Jim Nelson shares why he chose to join the board, what he's learned about youth homelessness over the past two years, and why serving has been one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences of his life.

Read his reflections on the power of stable housing, the impact of community, and why he's inviting others to consider joining Onward's mission. Applications for one board position beginning in January 2027 are open through July 15.

This week, I sat down with one of Onward’s founders and our current program manager to reflect on how Onward began, how the program has evolved, and why community support continues to matter so much today.

More than 50 supporters, volunteers, community partners, and first-time visitors joined us for Onward’s May 5 Open House. Take a glimpse inside Onward House and learn how stable housing, consistent support, and community help young adults build independence and belonging.

Earlier this week, 15 community members gathered at Eden Prairie Library to discuss Acceptance: A Memoir by Emi Nietfeld. The conversation highlighted powerful themes of instability, mental health, and resilience. As we reflected on Emi’s story, many parallels emerged with the young adults served by Onward. The discussion prompted important questions on how we can better support those facing housing insecurity and inspired action steps for our community to get involved.

Celebrating milestones and new beginnings! Discover how Onward residents are thriving, our community is growing, and our future is bright.

Our residents are starting new jobs, new schools and more.