Our vision is to see all youth valued for who they are and realize their full potential.
Face to Face has provided essential support for marginalized young people since 1972. We began as a volunteer-run walk-in crisis counseling and reproductive health clinic for youth.
In 1994, at the request of the State of Minnesota and Ramsey County, we opened SafeZone, a drop-in day shelter for youth experiencing homelessness.
Today we continue to support youth ages 11-24 through six core service areas that address the inequities youth face, combat systemic racism and other forms of oppression, and help young people as they pursue their aspirations despite the barriers they experience.
All services include comprehensive, wraparound services which allow us to respond to the multiple challenges youth are navigating. Our approach is relational, trauma-informed, and rooted in evidence-based practice.
The young people we work with have unique needs, experiences, abilities, and aspirations. This requires us to have a unique approach as to how we engage and interact with them. By focusing on their strengths, youth develop a strong sense of self that helps them shape their own lives.
When we provide opportunities for youth to build a sense of competency, usefulness, belonging, and power, they grow! Read how Face to Face youth describe their growth in their own words:
“I am way more independent. I went from experiencing homelessness to having my very own studio apartment.”
“Getting my life together and becoming a better person. In fact, learning to keep a job and do better, not just for me, but everyone around me.”
SafeZone
SafeZone
SafeZone
Clinic
Know a young person who could use support? Call or email us. We are here for them.
Vice Chair
board directors
Sofia Ali, MD
Diana Brown, PhD
Madeline Gragg
Jeremy Ellison
Jeremy joined the Face to Face Board of Directors in September of 2021. He has 22 years of experience…
Jannine He’bert, MA, LP
Thomas Kottke, MD
Cathy Lambert
Laverne McCartney Knighton
Rev. Dr. Ed Treat
Dennis Cross, MD
Alan R. Thometz
Laura Whipple
Yeni Quintero
Lauren Reynolds
Peter Peterson
Hanna received her B.A in Psychology and International Business Management from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and her M.A. in Behavioral Science/Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2018, Hanna was the Director of Operations at Face to Face. Hanna has over 25 years of nonprofit administration experience including at Tubman Inc. and Avenues for Homeless Youth, leading health and human services work for populations across the life span.
staff directors
Vernon (he/him) brings a wealth of financial accounting leadership experience…
Transparency is of utmost importance to us. Review our annual report, IRS 990, audited financial statement, and 501(c)3 letter of determination. Check out our profiles on Guidestar and Charities Review Council.
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Dennis Cross
Laura Whipple
Yeni Quintero
Yeni Quintero was born and raised in Mexico and moved to the USA at the age of 27 in search of better opportunities, despite not speaking English at the time. She spent a few years in community college learning English and completing her general education. After 10 years of continuing education, Yeni worked as a medical interpreter, interpreting for several mediations in family court. Yeni also worked as a paralegal for several years, focusing on Immigration, Family Law, and Criminal Law.
Yeni attended St. Thomas School of Law and also holds a law degree from Mexico. During her time in law school, she completed her internship with Judge Tamara Garcia for two and a half years in criminal court, working under the division of serious felonies. Yeni is a strong believer in supporting kids and youth to prevent homelessness and help them achieve independence for the future. As a mother, Yeni recognizes the importance of a safety net when things get tough. Her experience in criminal law changed her perspective on the need for increased support in education, mental health, and guidance for youth, rather than a purely punitive approach.
Lauren Reynolds
Lauren is the Associate Director of External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Partnerships at UnitedHealth Group (UHG). As a leader on the Global DEI team at UHG, Lauren leads the DEI partnership strategy for the company. This includes fostering strategic relationships, both internal and external, and leveraging these partnerships to convert diverse candidates to new UHG employees. Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Lauren was Director of Diversity Recruitment and Retention at the Minnesota Department of Human Services from 2015 – 2022. At DHS, Lauren led a comprehensive diversity recruitment and retention strategy that focused on embedding diversity, equity and inclusion.
An Indiana native, Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Indiana University-Bloomington and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, specializing in Human Resources Management. Lauren is an active community leader, serving also as a member of the Ramsey County Workforce Innovation Board. Lauren was selected as a 2020 Honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for Women in Business.
Peter Peterson
Alex Klein
Hanna (she/her) received her B.A in Psychology and International Business Management from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and her M.A. in Behavioral Science/Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2018, Hanna was the Director of Operations at Face to Face. Hanna has over 25 years of nonprofit administration experience including at Tubman Inc. and Avenues for Homeless Youth, leading health and human services work for populations across the life span.
Hanna is an active community leader, engaged in working to change systems that negatively impact marginalized communities. She believes in developing meaningful partnerships to get to the root causes of the problems communities strive to resolve. She currently serves on various boards-Minnesota International NGO Network (MINN), the St. Paul and Ramsey Community Health Advisory Committee. Her previous Governing Board experience includes Clare Housing Board of Directors, Resource Inc, Ramsey County’s Children’s Mental Health Collaborative and as well as the Minnesota Department of Human Services Behavioral Health Planning Council. Hanna is a co-founder of a nonprofit that works to enrich African lives (R.E.A.L Inc.-Resources for Reaching African Lives).
Hanna is passionate about youth and their development. She works hard to engage youth from their strength and support them in realizing their potential. Hanna is a committed leader of social change globally. Her visionary leadership includes strategic direction setting, business acumen, creativity, innovation, and acute interest in learning and curiosity for transforming communities.
Vernon (he/him) brings a wealth of financial accounting leadership experience, serving primarily mission driven, non-profit organizations. Vernon has a genuine love for “crunching the numbers” and is drawn to nonprofits by the invaluable service they provide to the diverse communities they serve. Vernon graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois with a BBA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance. He is an Ordained Minister with a Doctorate Degree in Theology from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology. Vernon has a servant’s heart and believes in strong family values.
