Northfield Union of Youth

About Us

NUY is a youth-led youth services organization serving youth throughout the Northfield, MN area. Our mission is to provide power and voice to youth and to create a caring and enriching community.

The Northfield Union of Youth (NUY) was founded in 1993 by a Youth Board and a Board of Directors. Its first major accomplishment was to open a substance-free youth center as a safe place for all youth to feel welcomed and encouraged, and to provide an opportunity to connect to the Northfield community.

The youth center opened in December of 1995 and became known as “The Key”; named in memory of Northfield High School student Lindsay Key Perkins. Lindsay championed the idea of a place for youth to call their own, but tragically died before the doors opened.

In 2010, The Key moved from 303 Water Street South to 109 6th Street West. The move opened the doors to hundreds more youth.

In 2016, NUY added food programming at The Key, partnering with Just Food Co-op and Carleton College’s Food Recovery Network to provide free and healthy meals every day.

In 2017, NUY grew to three youth boards, specializing in The Key, Mental Health, and Homelessness.

In 2018, NUY’s youth leadership hired two additional full-time youth advocates to provide more services for youth throughout the community.

NUY is a 501(c)3 non-profit and is funded primarily from donations and contributions from generous individuals, organizations, and businesses. If you’d like to support our mission, please click the donate button in the Highlights below.