The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center

Empowering Youth to Reach Potential

What do empowerment, connection, and loitering all have in common? TheShop!

For more than 10 years The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center, known locally as TheShop, has been a place for Brainerd Lakes Area youth to connect, be recognized, and grow toward independence. Everything we do is rooted in respect and inclusion and is modeled to and practiced by the youth we serve.

After school snacks and evening meals occur daily and offer a consistent source of nourishment for the hungry bellies that teens and young adults bring with them everywhere. Music, games of all varieties, art, laughter, loitering, and sometimes a nap on the couch are part of the experience of being at TheShop.

Educational programs, volunteer opportunities serving within our community, critical thinking development, and hands-on job skills are other facets of TheShop designed to help bridge opportunity and achievement gaps many of our young people experience.

We partner with a diverse group of community organizations, service clubs, and individuals to support youth as they transition towards independence. TheShop strives to remain a safe, accepting space where youthful energy is harnessed into creative fuel by providing opportunities to explore potential, build lasting relationships, and establish personal connections.

VISION

The Brainerd Baxter
Youth Center

The Shop

A non-profit charitable organization committed to providing community support to all teens and young adults as they transition into independence and adulthood.
We are a space where youthful energy is harnessed into creative energy with opportunities to explore potential, build lasting relationships, and establish personal connections.

MISSION

Mentor youth to improve overall wellness and develop assets to support healthy life transitions.

Translation: We are safe and soft place for youth to land where they will always find a listening ear, supportive mentors, and a space to be themselves.

“Belonging comes the minute you walk in the door; no strings attached”

GOALS

PEEP our goals
(See what we did here?!)

*Provide youth with meaningful educational, vocational, social, and spiritual opportunities.
*Embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion while encouraging healthy intergenerational relationships and cultivating mutual respect.
*Empower youth to be critical thinkers and thoughtful community members.
*Promote opportunities for positive development and participation in our local community.
*Support and value youth voices as assets in our community. They are our future and it is BRIGHT!

Facebook Activity

The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center - The Shop

2 days ago

Come celebrate Earth Day with us this Saturday! Together we will do our part to pick up trash throughout the neighborhood. Youth meet up at The Shop, 4pm. Community members are welcome to meet up with us @ Gregory Park - 6pm. Bring a bucket and a grabber, we'll see you there!!! ... See MoreSee Less

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The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center - The Shop

1 week ago

🧠💬 Parents, we want to hear from YOU! 💬🧠 and win a $15 Amazon gift card 🎁 Ever feel like your kid won’t talk to you? Or that school, screen time, and meltdowns are getting out of hand? You’re not alone — and we’re building something just for you.🎉 We’re teaming up with Psyche Care to launch The Weekly Parent Reset — a free series designed to help you feel more confident, calm, and connected at home.✨ But first… help us choose the topics YOU care about most! Fill out this quick form to vote on what you’d like to learn, how you’d like to receive it (webinars? newsletters? recordings?), and get entered into a raffle to win a $15 Amazon gift card (2 winners)! 🎁📝 Click here to vote & enter the raffle!docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4-0BkdKkgEaML7Clb37HWNZGhScZZEccpMKrsKhx-i0ZSDQ/viewform💡 Topics include: • “Help! My Child Won’t Talk to Me” • “Inside the Teenage Brain” • School struggles • Big feelings & boundaries • Self-care for super parents 💪📬 You’ll also get access to:✅ Weekly parenting tips✅ Live or recorded sessions✅ Bonus guides + first look at new content⏰ Takes less than 2 minutes. Raffle ends [April 13th, this Sunday at 5PM!]Tag a fellow parent who’d love this too 💖#parentinghelp #theweeklyreset #parentpower #theshopcommunity #psychecare ... See MoreSee Less

The Weekly Parent Reset Raffle 🎉

docs.google.com

🌟 Calling all parents in The Shop community! We know parenting can be tough—and it’s even tougher when your child shuts down, school becomes a battleground, or you’re running on empty. We’r...

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The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center - The Shop

2 weeks ago

Is your child shutting you out? Staying in their room all day? Taking depression meds but still struggling? Are you constantly wondering if you’re saying the right thing — or making it worse?💬 You’re not alone — and there’s a new kind of support just for you.🌟 Introducing Psyche Care – A Free Program for Parents in MinnesotaRaising a teen or young adult (ages 10–24) today is really hard — especially when they’re facing emotional or behavioral challenges like: • Mood swings, anxiety, or self-harm • School refusal or social withdrawal • Identity questions or family conflictPsyche Care gives you 24/7 access to real, judgment-free help — all by text or phone.✅ Here’s what you’ll get:👥 Get matched with a trained parent coach — someone who’s been through it too and truly gets what you’re going through💬 Ongoing, personalized support for up to 3 months📘 Weekly tips on challenges like: • What to say when your child says, “I’m fine. Leave me alone.” • How to handle big meltdowns without losing your cool • Ways to support a child exploring their gender or identity • Setting boundaries without damaging trust • Supporting a child who’s on meds but still struggling and much more…📲 Takes just 1 minute to sign up!Fill out this short form to get started... ... See MoreSee Less

Caregiver Support - Sign-Up Form

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Thank you for your interest in free caregiver support services through Psyche. Please fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you in 24-48 hours. Privacy Notice Your privacy is importan...

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The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center - The Shop

4 weeks ago

We’re proud to announce a new program for parents called Psyche Care!#psychecare is a completely free support program now available for families in Minnesota 🎉Parents of children aged 10–24 can now text in to get real-time help with emotional andbehavioral challenges — from mood swings and self-harm to feeling stuck or overwhelmed.Whether you’re just looking for someone to talk to or want 1-on-1 coaching, we’ve got you covered.📱 Text 1-857-362-0641 to get started instantly🌟 24/7, judgment-free parent support👥 Personalized coaching from a trained parent peer🕐 Grab your spot before April 10th to get matched with your own dedicated coach!Here’s what parents are saying:🗣 “I wish your team was in charge of mental health programs across the country. If there’s evera way I can help promote it, I will shout it from the rooftops!”🗣 “Pam’s support changed everything. Now, I have clear strategies to help my daughtermanage social anxiety and eating disorders—while also setting boundaries with confidence.”🗣 “I found myself taking notes because every guidance is packed with real, actionable skills. Ino longer feel desperate or hopeless—I finally have the tools to help my child and myself!” ... See MoreSee Less

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The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center - The Shop

4 weeks ago

We have a great opportunity to be a part of and share these new tools for our community!With support from #ruralascend we are excited to announce our partnership with #psychecare, a parent support network where you can text or call and gain positive solutions for issues or challenges with raising children aged 12 or older who are living at home.Please share and spread the word and help us break barriers and stigmas around our mental health as parents!Through seeking innovative and positive strategies to deal with stress we in turn teach our youth to do the same, perpetuating healthy minds.Let's start helping today with www.psychecare.org/ ... See MoreSee Less

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PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH CENTER

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Hours

TheShop
723 Washington Street
218-454-0009

Wednesday – Saturday
3:00pm – 8:00pm

The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center

Empowering Youth to Reach Potential

VISION

MISSION

GOALS

Facebook Activity

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