Building Bridges: The Power of Partnerships in Homeless Prevention and Response
Welcome to the YouthLink blog, where we dive into the heart of our mission and explore the invaluable partnerships that make our work possible. Today, we’re honored to spotlight Jay Wagner, the Senior Program Officer for Holistic Grantmaking at Greater Twin Cities United Way. Greater Twin Cities United Way is one of YouthLink’s strongest allies in our work, and through our conversation with Jay, we’ll explore the profound impact of partnership and collaboration to prevent and end homelessness.
“What role do you see YouthLink playing in the community?” we asked Jay, eager to hear his perspective. With acute understanding, Jay painted a vivid picture of YouthLink’s impact. “YouthLink provides such an array of services, from showers and nutritious meals to a caring community, access to healthcare, and supportive services that truly meet young people where they’re at. The one-stop-shop approach reduces barriers and makes way for young people to reach their goals. But it’s not just what you do, it’s how you do it,” he emphasized. He goes on, “the way YouthLink is unique in this space is that the work you do is really led by youth. It’s led by people with lived experience.”
“the way YouthLink is unique in this space is that the work you do is really led by youth. It’s led by people with lived experience.”
Jay’s insights resonate deeply with our ethos of amplifying the voices of youth who are often marginalized in other spaces. At YouthLink, the members of the Voices of Youth Advisory Council (VOYAC) are key partners in all that we do, advising our leadership team and guiding every aspect of our programs. You will learn more about VOYAC in a future YouthLink blog, and you can also visit their page on YouthLink’s website or follow them on social media! As Jay often says, “when you center lived experience, services better meet needs, and everyone is able to work together more effectively.”
Indeed, at YouthLink, we believe in centering the voices and experiences of young people facing homelessness, recognizing their resilience and agency as catalysts for change. This commitment to authenticity and inclusivity has been a cornerstone of our partnership with Greater Twin Cities United Way.
United Way’s decision to support YouthLink as a grantee stems from our shared vision of disrupting inequities by race, place, and income. Jay highlighted the pivotal role played by our team, particularly our senior leadership team, in bringing their diverse perspectives to program design and delivery.
“What I see Rich and Shennika doing time and time again is insisting that youth are at the table, and then they lean in, and they listen,” Jay remarked. These two have led in nonprofits for decades between them, but when it comes to knowing what young people need and want to be successful today, they bring the real experts to the table – the youth themselves.
This collaborative spirit extends beyond YouthLink and finds expression through our involvement in initiatives like Pathways Home, where United Way serves to build collective action to address challenges no one can solve alone, fostering connections and synergy across diverse stakeholders. Pathways Home underscores the value of authentic partnerships, emphasizing the need to move beyond competition towards collective impact.
How we collaborate to shape and implement strategies aimed at addressing homelessness and housing insecurity ultimately influences the outcomes.
At its core, Jay’s role at United Way embodies a commitment to field building, addressing the intersectional barriers that people facing homelessness often encounter. By fostering partnerships and leveraging community knowledge, Jay seeks to amplify the impact of proven practices and promising strategies spanning housing, food security, career readiness, early childhood education, and economic opportunity. YouthLink is aligned with these goals every step of the way.
As we reflect on our conversation with Jay, one message resonates loudly and clearly: partnerships are a cornerstone of our collective impact. At YouthLink, we’re deeply grateful for allies like Greater Twin Cities United Way, whose unwavering support fuels our mission to empower young people and dismantle systemic barriers. Together, we’ll continue to forge meaningful connections, amplify youth voices, and pave the way for a brighter future.
Thank you, Jay Wagner, and Greater Twin Cities United Way, for standing by our side as we strive to end youth homelessness. Your partnership strengthens our resolve and propels us forward. And to our dedicated supporters, whether you’re considering becoming a YouthLink donor, contributing much-needed supplies, volunteering your time, or engaging with us on social media, your involvement makes a difference. You are the driving force behind our impact, and we are immensely grateful for your support. Together, let’s continue to champion the cause of youth empowerment and create lasting change in our community. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
