VonWald Group Home

Founded in 1989, the VonWald Youth Shelter is a safe place for at-risk teens from Rochester and communities across southeastern Minnesota.

​Offering a structured and nurturing environment for youth ages 10 – 18 years, the VonWald Youth Shelter helps youth heal from trauma, develop pro-social skills, build community connections, and develop life skills.

2019 Advisory Board

Amber Myers, Olmsted County, Juvenile Probation Manager
Andrea Allen, First Alliance
Donavan Bailey, State of Minnesota, Public Defender
Doug Butler, Rochester Townhip, Board Member
Brenda Hanson, Olmsted County, Social Worker
Anita Otterness, NAMI, Community & Family Program Manager
Robert Scripture, Principal, Rochester Public Schools, Campus School Programs
Sharon Roemer, Wabasha County, Parole Officer
Steve VonWald, Former Sherriff, Olmsted County
Brian Zmolek, Olmsted Medical, Director of Quality Improvement; Board Chair, Rochester Sports Executive Committee
e the following:

Therapeutic programming uses:

  • Positive reinforcement
  • Formal groups
  • Family involvement
  • Individual and family therapy, including anger management, accountability, life skills training, conflict resolution, etc.
  • One-on-one primary counseling
  • Therapeutic activities and groups with our therapist
  • A reward-based point system based on behavior and programming success 
  • Gender specific and spirituality/culture specific programming
​Read more about programming specifics.