Unsure about the Drop-In Center, she didn’t connect at first. One afternoon a staff asked her, “What do you want?” She wasn’t used to having permission to think about a future.

For two years, RieRie was a regular at the Drop-In Center. She built a community. She says, “It was the only stable thing in my life, the only family I had.”

In time, RieRie’s simmering anger became her default mood, and she caused arguments at the Center.  Staff members invited her to a private meeting to confront her about her behavior. “For the first time, I felt like I could get my story out. Everyone was crying. Suddenly, I got it—that everyone cared about me.”

Rich was just three years old when he was taken out of his home for his own safety. At seven, he was adopted by his foster parents. Younger siblings came along, and Rich grew up in the shelter of a caring family.

But after high school graduation, it was a different story. His adoptive family moved out of state, and, as Rich puts it, “I wasn’t invited.” On his own, he enrolled in college, planning for a career in business and real estate. In time, he fell behind on tuition payments.  The school suspended him until his bill could be paid. He lost his housing, and found himself in the scary, unknown, adult world. Rich had lots of things going for him, including a hope for the future — but he had no experience living on his own. He knew that college would be his ticket to security, but without money, he couldn’t make progress.

Rich found his birth mom, who was hard at work in a recovery program but unable to provide a home for him. He shudders when he recalls his nights at an adult shelter: “Some hardcore people there.” He spent his days at the library. But then he heard about YouthLink, and he dropped in to learn more.

“I kept to myself at first at YouthLink,” says Rich. “But then, one of the Drop-In Center staff just started a conversation with me. She found me a bed at a youth shelter that very night. I couldn’t believe all of the things YouthLink could do.”

YouthLink and its partners in the Youth Opportunity Center helped Rich locate his birth certificate, secure an ID and apply for medical assistance.   Across town, brand-new, permanent and affordable apartments became available at Nicollet Square. YL staff encouraged Rich to apply, and he became one of the inaugural tenants.

Now 20, Rich is back on the path toward college and career. He’s glad to be working at The Salvation Army, right next door to where he lives. What started as an internship has become a 30-hour-a-week job, and he is just $600 away from paying his back tuition – then he’ll be back on his way to his college degree.

 “Rich is great to have here, and he’s working hard,” says Henry, YouthLink staff member at the Nicollet Square building. “Now that he has stable housing, he’s really able to focus on getting his life together. He’s come out of his shell, and he’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. And he’s so close to reaching his goal to repay the college and re-enroll.”

Rich has also taken a giant step out of his comfort zone to speak to teens sleeping outdoors during “Night on the Street,” an event designed to draw attention to youth homelessness.

He talks to his mom every day and stays in touch with two of his foster brothers. “I’m okay now. I just keep my goals in front of me. I have to pay off some things, save some money, and finish school. It’ll happen. YouthLink made it possible again.”

At 15, following her grandfather’s death, Ashley was determined to reconcile with her mother. To her disappointment, nothing had changed. Her mom was still unreliable. Again, she was removed from home, kept in the detention center, and sent to group homes “all over the place.”

Then, Ashley heard about YouthLink from her sister.

At the Drop-In Center, Ashley watched quietly. YouthLink staff helped her wade through muddy family issues. She became a “regular,” eating with friends, comparing notes about families and life on the street. She began to catch her breath.

For the first time in her life, Ashley asked for what she needed, and got what she wanted. YouthLink tutors and case managers helped her with her GED, her learner’s permit, and job applications. When she was ready, she applied for a transitional apartment, and at 18, she bravely crossed the threshold of her own door at St. Barnabas Apartments.

Sadly, her mom passed away in August of 2009. The “new” Ashley sought mental health care to address her grief, anger and depression.

Taking classes at MCTC, she hopes one day to work in an office, the backbone of a company that needs her skills and tenacity. Now 20, Ashley is determined to live the adult, independent life she knows she wants and deserves.

 But even before her illness, she was homeless. In fact, the day after her graduation from high school in June 2009, her mother evicted her.

 Then, the “food stamp lady” told her about YouthLink.

 “I thought the Drop-In Center was cool but a little scary. But in no time, I was talking to staff, finding friends, eating good food and making plans. I don’t know where else I could have gone for so many services all in one place.”

 Brittaney stays at shelters, and YouthLink has been instrumental in finding spots for her. She comes to the Drop-In Center every afternoon unless she’s working. At the moment, her priorities are finding a job in her field, enrolling for health care and getting dental care.

 A student at MCTC, in the nursing assistant program, she hopes to use her education to become an RN soon. For now, she’s grateful for the resources and support that YouthLink staff and the Youth Opportunity Center partners have provided. “I will always be an advocate for others who face homelessness.”

Youth Ambassador, Dametrea with board member, Stefanie

Stefanie Galey works in the heart of the city, but as a busy partner at the large and prestigious law firm of Faegre & Benson, her demanding workload has always required her undivided attention. Focused and dedicated to her firm, Stefanie was unaware of the buzzing undercurrent of homeless youth on the streets of Minneapolis.

All of that changed when she joined the Board of Directors at YouthLink. With her three sons grown, a bit more time and the desire to make change happen, Stefanie went looking for a good cause. “There are so many wonderful organizations, but when I heard about YouthLink’s mission – to be an amazing resource for homeless youth – I thought, ‘this is an issue I can get behind.’”

Stefanie says, “I knew that my boys were among the lucky ones, with a permanent home, a good school and focused, supportive parents. We had our teen issues, but nothing dangerous or scary. Now, when I think about these young people who don’t have everything going for them, their daunting challenges really call out to me. “

About her first year on the board, Stefanie says, “I’ve had a pretty steep learning curve!” At the monthly meetings of the YouthLink Board, she enjoys presentations by YouthLink staff. “Their passion is so contagious. They are strong, talented and determined people.” Her commitment to YouthLink is a priority for her, right alongside her career – and she has also made a generous three-year financial pledge.

“I’m excited that the board recently commissioned an economist to put some numbers together that show the long-term societal costs of ignoring endangered youth. We’ll have some great return-on-investment figures to show the community,” she says.

How has her first year on the board changed her? “That’s an interesting question. I didn’t see the young and homeless before I started working with YouthLink. Now, when I ride the bus, I’m keenly aware of the very young mothers and their children, or young people sleeping in the seats, and I think, ‘What is life like for them? Are they safe? Do they have shelter?’ Now I’m part of the dedicated, determined organization that can, and will, change their lives.”

Rich was just three years old when he was taken out of his home for his own safety. At seven, he was adopted by his foster parents. Younger siblings came along, and Rich grew up in the shelter of a caring family.

 But after high school graduation, it was a different story. His adoptive family moved out of state, and, as Rich puts it, “I wasn’t invited.” On his own, he enrolled in college, planning for a career in business and real estate. In time, he fell behind on tuition payments.

 The school suspended him until his bill could be paid. He lost his housing, and found himself in the scary, unknown, adult world. Rich had lots of things going for him, including a hope for the future — but he had no experience living on his own. He knew that college would be his ticket to security, but without money, he couldn’t make progress.

 Rich found his birth mom, who was hard at work in a recovery program but unable to provide a home for him. He shudders when he recalls his nights at an adult shelter: “Some hardcore people there.” He spent his days at the library. But then he heard about YouthLink, and he dropped in to learn more.

 “I kept to myself at first at YouthLink,” says Rich. “But then, one of the Drop-In Center staff just started a conversation with me. She found me a bed at a youth shelter that very night. I couldn’t believe all of the things YouthLink could do.”

 YouthLink and its partners in the Youth Opportunity Center helped Rich locate his birth certificate, secure an ID, and apply for medical assistance.

 Across town, brand-new, permanent and affordable apartments became available at Nicollet Square. YL staff encouraged Rich to apply, and he became one of the inaugural tenants.

 Now 20, Rich is back on the path toward college and career. He’s glad to be working at The Salvation Army, right next door to where he lives. What started as an internship has become a 30-hour-a-week job, and he is just $600 away from paying his back tuition – then he’ll be back on his way to his college degree.

 “Rich is great to have here, and he’s working hard,” says Henry, YouthLink staff member at the Nicollet Square building. “Now that he has stable housing, he’s really able to focus on getting his life together. He’s come out of his shell, and he’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. And he’s so close to reaching his goal to repay the college and re-enroll.”

Rich has also taken a giant step out of his comfort zone to speak to teens sleeping outdoors during “Night on the Street,” an event designed to draw attention to youth homelessness.

 He talks to his mom every day and stays in touch with two of his foster brothers. “I’m okay now. I just keep my goals in front of me. I have to pay off some things, save some money, and finish school. It’ll happen. YouthLink made it possible again.”

His commitment to his education was obvious right away, in spite of his difficult circumstances. Derrick’s attendance record at his North Minneapolis school was exemplary, and it was clear to us that school was a priority for him.

We were happy to provide a warm place out of the winter weather for Derrick to do his homework, help him study and assist in getting his vital documents together so he could secure a job.

With the support of our partners, we were able to help Derrick get his first job with Elpis Enterprises, where he taught birdhouse construction classes to members of the community.

The YouthLink team encouraged Derrick to apply to the STEP-UP program to expand his work experience. The program helped him get an internship at a law firm in downtown Minneapolis. He handles mostly administrative tasks in his position, but the internship experience has helped him recognize that he can thrive in a professional setting. Derrick has found himself contemplating a legal career as he becomes more familiar with the legal system through his office mentor, the lawyers and paralegals he works with.

In the last few months, we partnered with Project Solo to help Derrick secure his first apartment. We also worked directly with the law firm to help him obtain furnishings and basic necessities like bedding, dishes and cookware.

Even though Derrick’s life has changed dramatically over the past year, he has not lost his focus and dedication to his education. He can frequently be found at YouthLink working with tutors to study for his final high school standards assessments and placement exams for college.

Derrick is now planning on enrolling in the paralegal program at North Hennepin Community College once he finishes his high school assessments. The best news: He recently earned a $2,500 college scholarship that will help him cover his education costs.

Stories like Derrick’s are the reason many of us at YouthLink joined the organization. Seeing a young person with a stormy past succeed in his education and pursue his goals is truly heart warming.

Sheena Ellis
Case Manager

By Brittany Gregory

My name is Brittany Gregory. And I’m a homeless youth. Correction: I was a homeless youth. And I owe a lot of that to the people at YouthLink.

I’m originally from Chicago. I’ve been homeless since I was 16 and I was pregnant with my son, Marsean, when I was 17. He passed away before he was born—and I think about him every day. When I moved to Minneapolis earlier this year, I knew I needed help. After calling around, I found YouthLink.

Since then, I’ve been working in the YouthLink kitchen as an “intern” cooking, organizing and cleaning. I actually spend most days during the week at YouthLink in downtown Minneapolis.

The YouthLink staff has also motivated me to stay on top of my studies. In fact, I just graduated with my diploma in June with even more credits than I needed.

YouthLink kept me going along the way, encouraging me to study and stay on top of school. But, my son kept me motivated, too. I really wanted to make something for myself—and for him.

As a result of my work at YouthLink, and my recent graduation, I’m set to start school in the fall at Minneapolis Community Technical College studying early childhood development.

I’m also starting a new job at Davanni’s—something that would have never happened without the kitchen experience I earned at YouthLink.

And, maybe most importantly, I’m hoping to rent my first apartment later this summer—all on my own.

I owe a lot of YouthLink. They taught me to open up as a person. I don’t say much, so for me to talk with people and interact, it’s a big deal. They’ve also helped me with school, housing and medical care. I really wouldn’t be where I am today without them—they’ve become family to me.