News

The Moorhead Youth Services Team visited the Capitol on May 7, 2025, to help local legislators understand the importance of youth intervention. Louis Ochoa and Leighanna Secord from the Moorhead Police Department along with a Moorhead student spent the day interacting with legislators at the Youth Intervention Programs (YIP) Rally Day at the Capitol to let them know how their program benefits our community.

“Young people show us daily that they are capable of great things if we just give them proper support,” said Louis Ochoa. “YIP Rally Day is an excellent opportunity to let our legislators know how youth intervention programs positively change the lives of so many young people in our community, and it empowers them by letting them experience how their voice does matter.”

The Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA) organizes the YIP Rally Day annually. “Youth workers are the most passionate people I know. They care deeply for our young people that are growing up in toxic stress, trauma, or abuse. Too many people don’t understand just how important youth workers are to our communities across Minnesota. These are incredible people doing great things to help remarkable young people,” said Paul Meunier, the Executive Director of YIPA.

Youth Intervention programs provide long-term social and economic benefits to Moorhead by helping young people become self-sufficient adults. Research shows these programs help young people:

• Do better in school with homework, grades, and attendance
• Improve their decision-making, goal-setting, and problem-solving skills
• Develop a pro-social attitude
• Stay out of the juvenile justice system

The Moorhead Police Department uses the funds provided to facilitate programs like the Summer Youth Program, Change Starts with YOUth, Not a Number, & Community Service. Without this support our programs would not be able to succeed.