YouthLink provides intensive case management for students currently enrolled in any of the Minneapolis public schools or contract alternative schools who are between the ages of 15 and 20. YouthLink case managers work closely with young people one-on-one to learn about their goals and to help them create a plan that focuses on areas they are interested in.

YouthLink Life Transitions case managers will help young people with any or all of the following:

• Getting a social security card, birth certificate and state ID
• Filling out applications for food stamps, Medical Assistance or Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) as well as transitional living facilities
• Advocate at their school and with their families
• Connect with tutors or study plans and prepare for college
• Look for employment
• Meet basic needs through visits to food shelves or clothing closets
• Make connections to other resources in the community including counseling
• Plan fun activities that engage homeless youth with their communities during out-of-school time; summer programs, winter break and spring break activities (e.g., roller skating, BBQs, cooking classes, hip hop activities or going to the movies)

YouthLink also offers a GED tutoring program that is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 – 7 p.m. and an 8-week Independent Living Skills course that covers budgeting, employment readiness, resumes, eviction prevention and communication skills.

The Life Transitions program received donations from the following educational supply contributors in 2010:

• The Caring Tree:  Provides a large amount of back to school supplies at the start of the fall semester, allowing YouthLink clients access to new school supplies for high school, a GED program or post-secondary programs.
• Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless: Provides year round school supplies for young people engaged in educational programming as well as supplies for other educational needs.