About Us > History
History of HHYD
In 1943, with a nation involved in World War II, the Christian Businessmen's Committee of Minneapolis (CBMC) founded Hospitality House Christian Center to house servicemen on leave. In 1948, with the war behind us and the baby boom in full swing, the organization evolved into a child placement agency. This kept Hospitality House busy until the late 1950's when the courts took over the responsibility of placing children in new homes.
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Hospitality House Re-born
The seed of youth work was planted in the organization. On October 20th, 1960 a kick-off dinner was held to begin Hospitality House Boys Clubs. Elwood 'Woody' Larson was the new director of CBMC's ministry and he had a strong conviction that a boys club was needed in Minneapolis. A native of the Minneapolis area, Woody graduated from Minnehaha Academy and Augsburg College. Woody had directed the Edgar B. Ober Boys Club in St. Paul where he fell in love with the work of young people. It was his dream to go to a city and start a Christian boys club from scratch, and it just so happened his hometown needed one.
North Minneapolis was changing as the decade began. The predominantly Jewish community was moving, in mass, out of the area. The vacancies in the community were being filled by poor Whites and Blacks. The transition was causing tension in the area schools where new problems were arising. Though the schools were tough to get into they welcomed a program that would bring young people together. On January 9, 1961 eighty-five fourth, fifth, and sixth grade boys gathered at John Hay Elementary School. Within a couple of weeks the boys club program was operating 5 days a week, and after a month Lincoln Junior High was added.
In 1963 the club separated from the CBMC and became a non-profit charitable organization under the name Hospitality House Boys Clubs, Inc.
A Place of Refuge
By 1967 Hospitality House acquired a store front facility on Plymouth Avenue to serve as a central hub for its school-based programs. The times were tough in north Minneapolis and riots began to affect the community. They erupted during the weeks following April 4, 1968, the day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated in Memphis. Tensions ran so high that the Minnesota National Guard was called in.
"The Plymouth Avenue riots of 1967-68 changed the face of north Minneapolis. Many of the people and businesses left, but Hospitality House stayed and we found ourselves growing rapidly as we reached out to troubled youth from a store front on Plymouth Avenue. That first year we were warned that fire bombs were being made. Everything was coming apart at the seams. So we began staying overnight at the store front to see what we could do. One night I heard a gang just outside, then one of them said 'my brother goes to this place, leave it alone, it's ok.' Our place was the only building untouched that year."
Herb Pfiffner, Executive Director 1964-1988
Girls!
In 1971 Hospitality House concluded that they would expand their area of expertise to include girls. After exploring the possibility with community churches and schools a girls' club began with cheerleading, athletics, and Bible studies. It was the first girls' club in Minneapolis.
A New Logo and Name
In 2001, the logo was updated to a strong and sturdy "H", but more importantly, an open door to our primary mission--introducing youth to Christ and His abundant life, daily. It’s quite a change from our long-time shield logo and the new logo was donated by Tanaka Advertising in Minneapolis.
In addition, we dropped the “Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc.” from our name and replaced it with “Youth Directions” for purposes of clarification. We wanted to prevent any possible confusion as we are not affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Call to Action
In 1960 it was decided that Hospitality House would follow three basic principles of action:
- Go where the young people are
- Meet their needs
- Keep it Christ centered
Throughout our 40 years those principles have been as much a part of our history as a part of the fabric that weaves today's mission and vision.
"For over forty years and some forty thousand youth, Hospitality House has faithfully served the community. As one parent put it, 'Hospitality House is like a bus that always shows up on time!' With our strongly supervised programs, emphatic emphasis on one-on-one relationships and potent spiritual, intellectual, and physical programming, Hospitality House has mentored leaders who are empowered to positively impact their families, their communities, and the world. We have made a difference--one child at a time."
Dr. Ralph E. Galloway, Executive Director 1995-2001
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Today's Youth...
Tomorrow's Leaders.
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His
Dream...
Our
Challenge...
Their
Future.
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In 2001
Hospitality House
Boys and Girls Club, Inc.
...became
Hospitality House
Youth Directions
 New logo donated by Tanaka Advertising
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