DULUTH — Life House recently opened its new Mental Health and Wellness Center within the downtown human service corridor at 102 W. First St.
The space is dedicated to providing accessible mental health support for youth ages 14-24. The space formerly served as a
which closed in January 2024 when grant funding sunset.
Life House is located at 102 W. First St. in downtown Duluth.
Wyatt Buckner / Duluth Media Group
According to Youth Family Advocate Jenn Salo, the greatest need within the community for Life House services is among unhoused youth, or those “at risk” due to lack of support within their homes or family systems.
“We meet youth where they’re at — whatever that looks like for each person,” Salo said. “A lot of our youth feel very welcome and comfortable here.”
For more than three decades, Life House has worked with youth experiencing unstable housing and other challenges. The Mental Health and Wellness Program includes no-cost mental health and substance use care; therapy sessions; parenting classes; crisis intervention; and ongoing case management.
In 2024, the organization served more than 800 teens, young adults and families, in addition to providing more than 3,200 hours of wellness case management to 250 youth.
Executive Director Amber Sadowski talks about the new Mental Health and Wellness Center.
Wyatt Buckner / Duluth Media Group
“Our wellness team is really community-based,” said Amber Sadowski, who was brought on as executive director in June 2024. “Eighty percent of our 800 youth have experienced homelessness. They may lack caregiver support. They may have substance use, or … other challenges like trauma.”
The Wellness Center is staffed by a team of two therapists, a peer recovery specialist, a licensed chemical dependency counselor, and a youth family advocate. Prior to the last year and a half, the wellness team was scattered throughout the campus without a place to center their work and wellness case management.
An encouraging quote is framed on a wall in Life House’s new Mental Health and Wellness Center.
Wyatt Buckner / Duluth Media Group
Life House underwent a comprehensive strategic planning process that involved collecting feedback from staff, youth and alumni during the time Sadowski was hired, when which it was determined there was a need for a dedicated space for wellness staff to collaborate, and for youth to have a quiet, peaceful place for rest and relaxation.
The Wellness Center will expand the organization’s ability to provide comprehensive services in a home-like setting, complete with a kitchen, living room space and private offices. A new coat of paint was applied, and culturally conscious artwork was installed to represent the Indigenous and African heritages of the youth served.
Community members socialize at Life House’s new Mental Health and Wellness Center.
Wyatt Buckner / Duluth Media Group
It will also serve as a hub for staff to combine mental health and substance use care with holistic wellness opportunities and activities, including healthy cooking classes, opportunities to rest, and quiet spaces to attend virtual health appointments.
Life House also offers family-style meals twice daily through its adjacent Youth Center. The Housing Program offers different sites throughout the community. The Futures Program incorporates education and employment opportunities, such as the Legitimate Hustle Program, where youth practice entrepreneurial skills by making candles.
Recovery case manager Allie McDevitt works in her office at Life House.
Wyatt Buckner / Duluth Media Group
Brielle Bredsten is a business and health care industry reporter for the Duluth News Tribune.
Send her story tips, feedback or just say hi at bbredsten@duluthnews.com.