This month, we’re excited to feature a guest perspective on the YouthLink blog from our Housing Director, Kevin Nye. With more than a decade of experience working in homelessness services, Kevin brings a thoughtful, on-the-ground understanding of what it truly takes to support young people on their path to stability. In this blog post, Kevin…
At YouthLink, education and career support isn’t a standalone service—it’s woven throughout everything we do. Across our Drop-In Center and Housing programs, case managers work alongside young people to identify goals, build stability, and take meaningful steps toward education and employment in ways that feel achievable and sustainable for each individual. For young people who have experienced homelessness, pathways to education and…
November is National Homelessness Awareness Month — a time to reflect, learn, and take action on one of our community’s most urgent and human issues. Homelessness is not simply a lack of housing — it’s a complex challenge shaped by rising costs just to meet our basic needs, systemic barriers, and a lack of truly affordable housing options. Across the nation, communities…
This month, we’re excited to do something a little different on the YouthLink blog. For the first time, we’re featuring a guest writer from our own team — Chef Michael, the Food Services Manager who leads YouthLink’s kitchen and food program. Every day, Chef Mike sees firsthand how access to nutritious meals can change a…
At YouthLink, our goal goes beyond providing housing—we work alongside young people to help them build a foundation for a safe, stable, and fulfilling life. Nicollet Square, one of the two site-based supportive housing complexes where we provide services, embodies this goal every day. Located in south Minneapolis, Nicollet Square was built by Beacon Interfaith…
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Donate Today “I always knew it was me against the world. That was the main thing in my head, that it’s me against the world. The only thing I’ve got is myself.” That was the consistent thought of Vashon, age 23, before he found YouthLink. Vashon had been…
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]In 2004, Randy Palmer and his officemates decided to do away with their office Secret Santa tradition and put the money toward something that would make a difference. That year, they packed toiletries, notebooks, gift cards, and other items young people experiencing homeless would need into seven backpacks and…
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.11″ hover_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.0.11″ type=”4_4″][et_pb_module_placeholder selected_tabs=”all” _i=”0″ _address=”0″][/et_pb_module_placeholder][et_pb_blurb title=”Support YouthLink During COVID-19″ image=”http://www.youthlinkmn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/drop-in-2.png” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ link_option_url=”http://www.youthlinkmn.org/2020/03/28781/” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii_image__hover_enabled=”on|hover” border_radii_image_last_edited=”on|desktop”] During this challenging time, we will remain open for the vulnerable population of young people experiencing homelessness we serve by implementing recommended safety protocols. [/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.11″ hover_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.0.11″ type=”4_4″][et_pb_module_placeholder selected_tabs=”all” _i=”0″ _address=”0″][/et_pb_module_placeholder][et_pb_blurb title=”Support YouthLink During…
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]Whether he’s walking into a room or onto a soccer field, A, one of the players on the YouthLink Up-Top Soccer Team, fills the space with positivity and enthusiasm. This easy optimism is one of the many reasons he was chosen to represent the U.S. as part of the…
Over the past four decades, YouthLink has connected thousands of young people to the services they need to transition from homeless to hopeful. Many of these young people graduate from YouthLink empowered and ready to continue on their journey of self-reliance. We reconnected with some of these alumni to talk about their experiences with YouthLink…