Our Beginnings

A high school teacher in Robbinsdale, Minnesota named Fred Peterson witnessed the struggle of an alarming number of his students with issues of low self-esteem. The students could not concentrate on assignments and were disruptive in class. His concern for their lack of progress caused Fred to leave his full-time teaching position and pour his life into hurting youth, joining Youth Investment Foundation in 1979. In 1981, a house was purchased in New Hope where students could be safe after school and develop relationships with caring adults. Fred made the rounds among the school principals in the community, placed a blank sheet of paper before each one, and said, “Give me the names of the ten kids that if they never came back would make your life a lot easier.” In 1983, New Hope Inc., was established, independent of Youth Investment Foundation, and Fred Peterson was appointed Executive Director.

Since its inception in 1984, TreeHouse has grown to seven locations in the north and west suburbs of Minneapolis serving teens, parents, and other family members who are hurt, discouraged, confused, or in pain for many different reasons. Today, TreeHouse serves parents and nearly 1500 different teens annually, amassing over 45,600 outreach contacts in the communities of Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Chaska, Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth and St. Louis Park.