We Rise by Lifting Others

Hello!

Thank you for coming by! Your support today could help us at The Link reach our goal of raising $50,000 during Give to the Max Day2020. Your generous donations will help provide vital housing, support and basic needs for youth & families in our community! 

Let me go back and start off by giving you a brief history of The Link. 

History: 

The Link was founded in 1991 by former Minnesota Vikings players, Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed, who wanted to support youth in north Minneapolis who were being victimized by crime, getting involved in crime and who were struggling with poverty and homelessness. The Link is still based on their original vision and in north Minneapolis. The Link has grown from a two staff member organization with three programs to an organization that has 22 programs across the Twin Cities area, employs over 150 adult and youth staff members and supports over 2,000 youth and young families each year. The Link's mission is to work with youth and families to overcome the impacts of poverty and social injustice. 

What I am asking for? and Why?:

As some of you may know, I started working with The Link in August of this year. In this small amount of time I have seen how impactful The Link is for the youth in our communities. I have had a chance to work with some amazing young people. Young people who needed the assistance The Link provides. 

I work with about 15 young people who have mental illness and/or have substance abuse. Many of these peeps have experienced homelessness all their lives. Homelessness that for some is generational. These individuals qualify as "Long-Term Homeless", according to MN this means that someone who lacks a permanent place to live continuously for a year or more or at least four times in the past three years. I don't know about you, but a year in MN, homeless, is not something I want to experience. Not even during a good warm week. The Link takes these young people, finds them homes in the community and helps them start their new life. We work with these youth to build their credit, go back to school, get higher education, find employment, build courage and most importantly learn to operate in a world where having a mental illness or substance abuse is shamed. The Link operates in encouraging youth to feel empowered and important.

Housing First is just the program I work under. The Link has so many great programs. Programs where we work with youth who don't normally get a chance. Who normally don't have advocates. 

I have seen sooo much growth with the young people I work with. They inspire and teach me every day.  I know we are all going through a pandemic, many of us are experiencing job loss and hardship. But if we put everything in perspective, we: still have a roof over our head; and have access to clean water; and the ability to cook and eat a meal; and clean clothes; and someone who cares for you. A lot of the youth in our programs don't even have someone who cares for them, their wellbeing and what they have to offer the world. For many of the youth who experience homelessness, their experiences have not equipped them to operate on their own. I ask you to help The Link in supporting these youth through their journeys. Money donated goes to: a youth purchasing a bus card for job interviews; and buying a laptop to attend virtual GED classes; filling their first apartment with groceries; and purchasing their first bed since they were twelve; and helping a young family buy baby food and clothes. This is just the surface of what money donated can do.

I don't normally ask for anything... But I truly believe in what we are doing here at The Link. I have donated $5.00 towards The Link's mission. I ask that you join me in donating a minimum of $5.00. If you can chip in more, I and the youth will be very grateful. Whatever you can donate, I can assure your donation is helping youth achieve greatness.