Clear Vision: Nate Peterson and Renewal by Andersen Help Preserve Bolder Options’ Historic Home

When Nate Peterson first heard Bolder Options Youth Mentoring founder, Darrell Thompson, on the radio over a decade ago, he didn’t know it would lead to one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.

“I thought it sounded interesting,” Nate recalled. “One of my friends happened to know Darrell and introduced me to him over email. That led to a conversation, and after some thought, I decided to become a mentor.”

Nate became a mentor in 2015 and was matched with mentee Dion. The two shared a range of experiences from Zumba classes to cooking tacos and churros together at the Bolder Options building. For Nate, mentoring was more than just showing up. It reshaped how he saw relationships and even prepared him for fatherhood.

“You learn patience. Your idea for the day might be totally different than what your mentee needs. One day, I planned for a run, but Dion had a rough day and just wanted to talk. So, we drove around instead,” he said. “It taught me compassion, understanding, and it absolutely helped me become a better parent.”

Although Nate eventually lost touch with Dion due to life circumstances, his connection to Bolder Options remained strong. Over the years, he stayed involved, attending galas and golf events, hosting fundraisers, and advocating for the program whenever he could.

Now, as a senior sales manager at Renewal by Andersen, Nate saw another way to give back. When his company offered an opportunity through its Renewal Cares program to donate replacement windows for a nonprofit project, he thought immediately of Bolder Options.

“I talked to Darrell to see if it would be a good fit, and of course, he said yes,” Nate said. “Originally, we were just going to do the front of the building or maybe a floor. But the more we talked, the more we thought, what if we could do the whole building?”

The historic mansion at 2100 Stevens Avenue, built in 1906 for Luther H. Farrington and his wife Katharine, was designed by renowned Minneapolis architect William Channing Whitney. A classic example of Georgian Revival architecture, it features a red brick exterior and a gambrel roof with dormers. Because of its age and historical significance, any updates to the building, including replacing the windows, required special care and approval. Today, the mansion houses the Bolder Options youth mentoring program, serving as both staff office space and a welcoming place where youth and mentors meet regularly to build meaningful relationships.

Nate and Darrell had to go before the city’s Historical Preservation Committee twice. The first meeting ran out of time, forcing them to reschedule and start the process over after the holidays.

“We had to jump through a lot of hoops,” Nate said. “We spent months working on approvals and coordinating with other branches to share their window allocations. But in the end, we decided that even if we had to take it all on ourselves, we’d do it.”

The result? Nearly a quarter-million dollars in windows donated and installed by the Renewal by Andersen Twin Cities branch. An incredible gift that modernized the building while preserving its historic character.

“We had to match the original design exactly,” Nate explained. “The grill patterns, the arched window on the staircase, the colors, it all had to look like it did 125 years ago. That arched window, by the way, is just beautiful. I never noticed it before, but now every time I walk up those stairs, I look at it.”

Old vs new

The impact of the windows has been immediate. The building is safer, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient.

“The old windows were tough to open and filled with lead paint,” Nate said. “Now you’ve got fresh air, no space heaters, and you don’t have to run a wood-burning fireplace all winter.”

But the effect goes far beyond insulation.

The Bolder Options building is more than an office; it’s a space where youth and mentors build relationships, learn life skills, and find belonging.

“It’s a warm and welcoming place,” Nate shared. “You walk in and there are smiling faces. Everyone’s embraced, no matter where they’re from or what they look like. That matters.”

For Nate, being able to give back in such a substantial way has been a career and life highlight.

“This was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever been able to have. Donating what would have been a quarter-million dollars to Bolder Options. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to top that. But I’m going to try.”

As for his hopes for the future of Bolder Options?

“I hope it keeps growing,” Nate said. “More mentors, more kids, more impact. The funding is important, but what we really need are people willing to show up and give their time. That’s where the magic happens.”

Thanks to Nate, Renewal by Andersen, and a whole lot of perseverance, Bolder Options can continue building those meaningful connections in a space that’s now just as strong, enduring, and full of potential as the youth it serves.