Possibilities Abound at Nicollet Square

“Every day I just keep pushing to get better,” says Marshall*, a YouthLink client and resident at Nicollet Square, who has come a long way in a short time since being introduced to the Minneapolis nonprofit 1 ½ years ago. “I grew up in St. Paul and was never around an environment where people took time to even care for basic needs,” he said. “I got cousins who were killed so every day I felt like I was rolling the dice…there was a lot of risk in anything I tried to do.”

As a teenager, he found himself living on the streets. “Homelessness feels like being alone – everything is an uphill battle and it’s a constant struggle just trying to find where your next meal is coming from,” he said. While at a shelter, one of the staff members suggested he check out YouthLink. “My first reaction when I walked into YouthLink was it was weird because everyone seemed so…normal,” he said. “I felt like I had to take on everything myself growing up so reaching out and asking for help can be scary. But the staff at YouthLink makes it easy for me, anything I can think of they are there to help me with. It’s definitely changed my life.”

Upon getting an apartment at Nicollet Square, a 42-unit building in south Minneapolis of permanent supportive housing for young people experiencing homelessness, Marshall said, “It felt surreal to have a roof over my head, I wasn’t used to things going good.” He has a twin brother who has also gotten housing through YouthLink. “I told him you’ve got to check this program out but he was skeptical at first. He said it didn’t seem real but he wanted something more stable too. Sometimes I just go for a walk knowing I have a place to return to.”

While studying to get his GED he was working at the Butter Bakery Café until experiencing a medical emergency. “I thought I was having an asthma attack but then I found out part of my lung had collapsed so I spent several days in the ICU,” he said. “I’m happy to be back at Nicollet Square now but I’m still recovering so I don’t get tired going up a flight of stairs. The good thing is the café told me they’d be happy to have me back whenever I feel better.” After getting his GED he wants to do some sort of community college and mentioned that no one in his family has ever had any education at that level.

“Marshall’s resiliency is so impressive,” says Dominique Burnett, YouthLink Case Manager at Nicollet Square. “With everything he’s gone through he still has a positive attitude. He nearly died and the way he still shows up willing to challenge himself and grow…it’s super dope.”

When he’s not studying or working he shared some insight into his favorite hobby – finding, buying and selling limited edition items. Two of his favorite collectibles have been an artistically designed Reese’s Puffs cereal box and a pair of Nike Travis Scott Air Force Ones. “Some people wear them but I’ve only worn them a couple of times because I feel like I’m walking around on glass,” he said. As he continues on his journey with YouthLink he reminds himself to keep going because life is too short. “Some people look at what you can find at YouthLink and think ‘Oh, that can’t happen with me’ but I say why couldn’t it? Anything is possible.”

*Name changed to protect client privacy