A desire to be a positive influence on teenagers sent Kari Snaza in search of a volunteer opportunity.
“My teenage years were a formative time in my life. With teens, everything you put in, you get out tenfold. I want to make an impact at a critical time, when they are setting the trajectory of where their lives will go,” said Snaza, 37, a Minnetonka resident.
Now Snaza is volunteering with Treehouse, a local nonprofit that works with middle and high school teens at five sites in the Twin Cities: Brooklyn Park, Bloomington, New Hope, Minnetonka and Eagan. Treehouse teens have regular gatherings where they build community and resiliency with their peers, mentors and volunteers.
A Twin Cities native, Snaza left the area for graduate school and to build her career. After “boomeranging back” to the metro area recently, she reached out to trusted friends for recommendations on meaningful volunteer opportunities. She heard about Treehouse from two acquaintances who have donated their time with the organization.
Her volunteer work took Snaza to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. On a recent Saturday night, Treehouse teens took over the amusement area in the group’s Fall Blitz back-to-school welcome party. Snaza was among the adult volunteers who welcomed the teens, checked them in and then hung out with them.
“As a chaperone, you don’t want to hover but just be part of the fun. We did a scavenger hunt, played blackout Bingo. It was a blast,” she said. “I was with four teens and there was one girl who opened up to me, sharing what’s going on in her life. It was a good connection that happened naturally.”
The teenager that Snaza connected with is interested in pursuing a career in health care after high school; Snaza has worked in the field herself and is the founder of a health care start up.
“I think I could mentor her with the decisions that are in front of her,” Snaza said. “It’s good for teens to have adults they can trust who are not their parents, who can be a sounding board and give them another point of view.”
Founded in the Twin Cities more than 40 years ago by a middle school teacher, Treehouse, a faith-based organization, has expanded to communities across Minnesota and around the country. Coming out of the pandemic, as more teens have experienced hopelessness and isolation, Treehouse is seeking more local adults who want to become volunteers to mentor and build relationships with them.
“We have weekly programming for teens to help teens build healthy coping skills. We offer free transportation within the area; we pick them up and take them home in our Treehouse van. There’s a hot meal at every program,” said Jacori Soto, volunteer engagement manager for Treehouse.
“Getting together in groups is the bread and butter of our organization. Teens find a safe place to talk about feelings and find support from staff, volunteers and their peers. It’s not therapy but they can practice vulnerability and be heard,” she added.
Volunteers are needed to work directly with teens as support group assistants, one-to-one mentors, meal providers and drivers. Adults are also needed to volunteer in administrative positions.
Although new to Treehouse, Snaza is already finding it gratifying to be a volunteer.
“My husband and I have lots of nieces and nephews but most of the kids in our life are in diapers. I wanted to be in touch with this young generation. I see so much promise in them,” Snaza said.
To find out more about volunteering with Treehouse, go here. Click on Get Involved/Volunteer at the top of the webpage. Teens interested in participating can call Treehouse at 952-238-1010.