YSB History & Mission

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YSB gives families the tools they need to support their children

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Our History

Building Brighter Futures Since 1977

Youth Service Bureau (YSB) was founded in 1977 in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, with a clear mission: to keep young people out of the court system and support families through early intervention and education. Recognizing the growing needs of the community, YSB expanded its reach, opening a second location in Stillwater in 1978. In 1996, these two organizations merged to form Youth Service Bureau, Inc., unifying their efforts to better serve youth and families across Washington County and western Wisconsin.

During the early 1970’s law enforcement agencies across the country were looking for ways to hold youth accountable for their actions without sending them through the juvenile system or labeling them as “delinquents.” As a result, the concept of Youth Service Bureau was born.

In the greater St. Croix Valley area, two such organizations were created.  South Communities Counseling Services was opened in Cottage Grove in 1977 and a similar organization called St. Croix Valley Youth Service Bureau, was established in Stillwater in 1978.

Both organizations shared a common goal:  Give youth and families the support they need at the first sign of challenges to avoid more significant consequences in the future. They also worked to meet the needs of youth, families, and communities by providing counseling and early intervention programs.

In 1996 these two organizations formally merged to create Youth Service Bureau, Inc. (YSB) with offices in Stillwater, Woodbury, and Cottage Grove.

Today, YSB remains true to the ideals of its founders. Youth continue to be held accountable and coached as they make amends to those hurt by their behavior.  And parents continue to get the support they need to guide their children through challenging times.  A variety of services are available to support a variety of early-intervention needs for youth.

We are proud that for more than 45 years we continue to help youth and their families make BETTER CHOICES that lead to BRIGHTER FUTURES!

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YSB Mission

To help youth and families learn the skills they need to be more successful at home, in school, and throughout the community.

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Commitment

THE YSB CORE VALUES

RESPECT

We welcome all people and treat them with dignity by honoring who they are and what they believe.

RESPONSIVENESS

We believe positive and lasting change is more likely when barriers are overcome and problems are addressed early.

EFFECTIVENESS

We use innovative and proven practices that produce positive, measurable results.

FAMILY FOCUS

We believe that involving parents and caretakers is essential to our work with children and youth.

COMMUNITY BASED

We work with each community to adapt and implement programs in ways that best address local concerns.

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Commitment

THE YSB VISION

We envision a community where Youth Service Bureau is recognized as the leading early intervention resource for youth and families dealing with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. By partnering with parents, schools, law enforcement, courts, and community groups, we strive to keep children and youth out of the court system and in school. Our integrated services, including youth-focused family counseling and various criminal justice and school-based programs, are tailored to meet the unique needs of each community we serve.

"YSB has been an invaluable partner in helping us address significant issues related to chemical use among students. Research studies show that risk, harm, and death from illicit substances among youth are rising. Partnering with YSB gives our school both proactive and reactive measures to address chemical issues with our students and is a vital component of how we provide a measure of safety to our students in today's challenging world."

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"The needs of our students grow more complex every day; trauma, social media addiction, anxiety, depression, chemical use, risky behaviors. Schools are challenged to meet these ongoing needs with limited resources. YSB partners with us and provides the resources to support our students and families in the Stillwater Area community".

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“For years, I have been an advocate of the notion that “it takes a village” to raise confident & capable youth. YSB is one of those partners in the village of our community that offer services our youth and families need to navigate the challenges of life. We are fortunate to have dedicated staff from YSB to meet people in our community where they are and to help them get to where they want to be.”

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"I learned to make better choices, and that even small actions without intention could lead to something serious and bad happening."

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"I have personally attended several programs associated with district 834 schools and have always walked away with a positive learning experience......and an opportunity to engage my kids who were also in attendance. Be proactive, stay informed. "

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"I have stopped participating in drugs on my own and I'm proud of the will power I have to hold myself from bad decisions, along with the help of outside people like my therapist and big sister."

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"I'm proud that I was able to talk about my bad choice and then discuss better ways to handle the situation and better prepared for the future."

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"We appreciate very much your willingness to participate in the Yellow Ribbon events. Your work makes an important difference for the soldiers, their families, and especially their children. Thank you!"

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"As a parent, I enjoyed the diversion class! It’s wonderful to see you teaching the kids meaningful lessons and positive values in life. "

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Cottage Grove

7064 W Point Douglas Rd
Suite #201
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
651-458-5224

Stillwater

6120 Oren Avenue N
Stillwater, MN 55082
651-439-8800

Woodbury

7876 Hudson Rd
Suite #1
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-735-9534

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