The YouthLink mission is to support and empower young people on their journey to self-reliance. Our core organizational goal is to reduce the instances and duration of homelessness among youth. We are dedicated to guiding youth along a path from homelessness to a new life that they define. We help them overcome barriers, access resources, gain skills, build up self-confidence to achieve long-term stability and healthy adult lives.
COVID-19 and the recent civil unrest has exacerbated youths’ housing stability, mental health, and employment options. The young people we serve are among the highest at risk for carrying and/or contracting the COVID-19 virus due to their inability to isolate, the stress of being homeless, disparities in health, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, lack and/or nonexistent access to mental and physical health care. Covid-19 has disproportionately affected people of color, meaning youth of color are at greater risk during and after this pandemic, exacerbating the inequities that already exist within this fragile population. YouthLink had to be creative as to our delivery of services during COVID. Drop-In remained open, 24/7 Monday-Friday, 6pm-9am Saturday-Sunday. We had to limit the amount of youth in Drop In, but we continued to provide basic and critical needs. We also extended our services to include overnight respite and hotel stays for housing stabilization support services to ensure intensive case management for those accessing services. YouthLink moved to an outreach service model, delivering a wide range of services to youth remotely – Virtual 1 to1 case management sessions, mental health sessions, and healing space sessions.
Our goal of housing stabilization for youth and overall goal for stability for youth, to ensure a reduction in the amount of time and episodes young people experience homelessness, means that we attempt to meet many needs everyday. CLICK HERE to donate to the general YouthLink fund. CLICK HERE to view our wish list.
YouthLink is also accepting new volunteers. Please contact Angela Wistrcill at wistricill@youthlink.org for more information.
Many of the single parents served find the caring, intentional help through trusting adults at YouthLink. Our Opportunity Navigators are well-equipped to meet the unique and ever-changing needs of youth who are on this journey from homelessness to long-term stability. Vashon is an example of how we walk alongside our youth throughout their often chaotic journey. Vashon is a current client who came to YouthLink just before the COVID-19 lockdown occurred in March. With family all over the country he first went to Texas, then Florida to stay with family during the first weeks of the lockdown. YouthLink staff stayed in touch with Vashon as he moved around and tried to find stability. Vashon returned to Minnesota to be near his newborn son. He continues to work with an Opportunity Navigator to execute his plan which includes pursuing a nursing degree. He is currently enrolled in college and has stable housing while he supports the needs of his son.