A Season of Giving: Support YouthLink and Transform Lives
As the year draws to a close and we gather with loved ones to celebrate the holiday season, it’s a time to reflect on the importance of family, connection, and community. For many of the youth we serve these vital support systems can be missing—but they find them here at YouthLink. YouthLink is often a family, caring community, and stable presence for youth facing homelessness and instability.
YouthLink’s CEO, Rich Melzer, recently shared a heartfelt year-end letter, which beautifully highlights the growing demand for our services and the resilience of the youth we serve. Below, is a portion of Rich’s message, including Clyde’s inspiring story—a young man whose journey reminds us why YouthLink’s work is so vital, especially during the holiday season.
From Rich Melzer: One Youth’s Story of Resilience and Hope
As the year comes to a close, I often hear the question: Why is the need for support so critical now? The answer lies in the incredible surge of young people turning to YouthLink for help. Daily visits to our Drop-In Center have skyrocketed by more than 106% in just two years.
This growing demand underscores the importance of YouthLink’s work and the impact of your generosity. YouthLink isn’t just about providing housing or meals—it’s about creating a community where youth can thrive, even in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Let me share Clyde’s story with you.
Clyde’s journey with YouthLink began in 2015 when he first learned about the organization through friends and classmates. Although he was on a stable path at the time, he understood how vital YouthLink was for those in less fortunate situations.
In 2019, Clyde’s life took a dramatic turn. After a criminal charge, he was unable to return home with his father due to restrictions at the property. He found himself homeless, with his savings drained by legal expenses. Feeling lost, he remembered YouthLink.
Clyde became a regular at YouthLink, meeting with his case manager and filling out countless housing applications. Despite setbacks, including struggles with substance use during the throes of the pandemic, he found renewed determination after the tragic loss of a close friend. In 2021, Clyde secured stable housing through YouthLink’s Rapid Rehousing Program. After being homeless since 2019, Clyde says the relief he felt was indescribable—it was as if a thousand pounds had been lifted from his shoulders.
That fall, Clyde enrolled in Political Science at Minneapolis Community & Technical College. He has since moved into his own apartment at Nicollet Square, joined YouthLink’s Voices of Youth Advisory Council (and is now the council chair!), and interned with The Borgen Project as a Political Affairs Ambassador.
Clyde reflects, “My story is not unique—it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of opportunity. Every setback is a steppingstone to a future filled with promise and possibility.”
Clyde’s story shows us the perseverance of the young people we serve, as well as the huge impact that having a caring community can make for a young person during a difficult moment in their life.
Rich Melzer
CEO, YouthLink
Check out this video, made by a YouthLink volunteer, that features Clyde’s story:
Be the Difference This Holiday Season
Clyde’s journey reminds us that YouthLink is more than a provider of services—it’s a lifeline, a family, and a refuge for youth experiencing homelessness. This holiday season, as you gather with your own families, we invite you to consider how you can extend that sense of warmth and belonging to young people who need it most.
At YouthLink, every gift makes a difference. Your donation helps us continue to provide essential services, from stable housing to mental health support, and ensures that each young person has the chance to thrive.
Join us in creating brighter futures.
- $150 means a young person can come off the streets for a hot meal and a shower, to do laundry, charge their phone, and feel welcomed and safe—a critical first step on their journey.
- $500 allows a youth to talk about what they are going through with an onsite mental or chemical health therapist. This helps youth like Clyde to break cycles of substance abuse.
- $1,500 can prevent a youth experiencing short term challenges from becoming homeless by paying one month’s rent and utilities. This prevents further harm and trauma.
- $3,500 secures housing for one youth by paying for a deposit, first month’s rent, furniture, kitchen & bath supplies, and a full fridge. This leads to greater long-term success and stability!
As Clyde says, “Every obstacle is an opportunity for growth.” Together, we can ensure that more young people have the opportunities they deserve.
Thank you for being part of the YouthLink family this holiday season. Your kindness and generosity are truly transformative.
Wishing you and yours a season filled with joy, warmth, and connection.
The YouthLink Team
