Rana's yearly fundraiser for The Link

Having known so many youth who experienced homelessness when I was 18-25 it is no surprise that I now work for a program that prevents and addresses homelessness for 18-25 year olds. My particular program focuses on housing youth coming out of foster care, mental health treatment, or probation. But it's just one of many programs that all provide rental assistance and case management for years in order to help youth stabilize and keep their homes. 

Your donations may end up going to help a youth get a flip phone so they can call us from an encampment to check if their apartment is ready, or to repair a broken window for someone who has experienced domestic violence or to help us pay our staff living wages. That's why your individual donations are so helpful, because of the flexibility. 

The Link was started in North Mpls by two Vikings players and it continues to be based in North even though we have programs all over the metro area and even serve youth from farther away. 

This year I really want to focus on the amount of donors who donate instead of numbers. Because $5 means different things to different people. So does $1005. We are grateful for all of it and for those who can't donate but partner with The Link or volunteer their time. 

So feel free to donate $0 or $5 or $75,681. I really appreciate you either way.