CONTACT:
Dave Lehman, Founder and President
YouthFutures, Inc.
920-882-6255
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APPLETON, WISCONSIN, October 3, 2004 –
The YouthFutures, Inc. board of directors announced today that the organization is negotiating the sale of its Valley Fair Mall property, where they are currently located.
“In an effort to focus on our core mission of providing opportunities for youth in the Fox Valley, we’ve decided to divest ourselves of the property,” said David Lehman, Founder and president of YouthFutures, Inc.
Ongoing financial challenges have brought YouthFutures, Inc. to the realization that the demands of mall ownership detract from the organization’s efforts to focus on its core goal of serving as a gathering place to nurture personal growth and youth development in the Fox Valley. YouthFutures, Inc. originally purchased the property in September 2004.
“Ever since we opened our doors in Northeast Wisconsin, the community has welcomed us with open arms,” said Lehman. “They’ve rallied behind the effort to create a fun, safe and innovative place for youth from the area to hang out.”
“Our longstanding Valley Fair tenants and the tenants who later joined them, all took a huge leap of faith when they decided to become part of a youth mall,” said Lehman. “Unfortunately, the challenge of attracting new tenants and customers, while trying to raise funds for the organization, has proven too difficult to sustain.”
YouthFutures, Inc. has had the opportunity to touch the lives of area teens through concerts, events and activities. It has also helped birth an idea that has attracted national and international interest from people who care about meeting the needs of youth at the community level.
“Throughout our existence, individuals and corporations within the community have donated time, money, equipment and supplies to get this venture off the ground,” said Lehman. “Without this level of support and dedication, YouthFutures could never have begun, nor achieved the success seen.”
YouthFutures, Inc. will continue to have a positive impact the community, but on a smaller scale and in partnership with Matt’s House. Matt’s House is a faith-based, youth initiative organization, currently housed in the Valley Fair Mall.
Although specific details of the future of the mall are still under development, all parties are committed to working with YouthFutures, Inc. throughout the transition to relocate to another facility.
