About
Youthworks
Our Mission
Our Vision
What we believeabout young people
What guides the work
Our Story
Youthworks began in 1979 as Mountain-Plains Youth Services Coalition in South Dakota. In 1986, the organization relocated to Bismarck, North Dakota and began providing direct support to young people. Youthworks opened in Fargo in 1991 and has continued to grow its reach across North Dakota and into Minnesota.
Today, youth and families can turn to Youthworks for support with immediate safety, housing stability, family concerns, school and court involvement, and experiences of trafficking or harm, as well as opportunities for cultural connection, community involvement, and youth leadership.
Milestones
A Brief History
1979
1986
Youthworks Begins
Founded in Bismarck to support young people who don’t have a safe place to stay, Youthworks was grounded in the belief that young people deserve support before systems run out of options.
1987
Youth Leadership from the Start
Peer mentoring launched, trusting young people to support and lead one another.
1989
Changing How Youth Are Treated
North Dakota ends the practice of jailing young people for leaving home, aligning with federal protections and youth centered approaches.
1991
Expanding Support
Youthworks opens in Fargo and launches transitional housing for young adults 18 to 21.
2001
Diversion
Youthworks begins providing early support to help young people avoid further involvement in the juvenile justice system.
2003
Meeting Youth Where They Are
Support expands beyond program walls through street outreach, bringing support directly to young people in the community.
2006
Creating Space for Safety
Emergency shelter expands in Bismarck, offering stabilization and support in a trauma-informed setting.
2008
Strengthening the Continuum
Transitional housing expands to include young parents.
2015
Standing with Survivors
Youthworks begins statewide work with young survivors of trafficking.
2020
Growing Access
Youthworks expands into Minot, initially offering emergency shelter, with anti-trafficking, transitional housing, and prevention services added since.
2021
Continued Growth
Youthworks expands into Grand Forks, offering more programs to young people and families in the region.
2024
Elevating Youth Leadership
Youth leadership is formally recognized and celebrated at the inaugural Youth Leadership Awards in Fargo.
2025
Youthworks launches the “See Their Strength” blog, elevating youth voice and challenging how communities understand young people.
Today
Still Showing Up
Forty years later, Youthworks continues to adapt, listen, and show up alongside young people. The work has changed. The commitment has not.
Looking Ahead
After forty years of showing up for young people, Youthworks continues to adapt as youth and community needs change.
Strengthening Developmental Relationships
Expanding Prevention and Early Intervention
Deepening Partnerships
Elevating Youth Voices
Maintaining Flexibility
Executive Director
Mark Heinert
BIO: Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Youthworks team
Meet the team
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Board of Directors
Mike Eggl
Erin Oban
Carlee McLeod
Renae Aarfor
Bryan Harris
Melody Staebner
Sashay Schettler
Melissa Bliss
Dan Ulmer
YALB