Rana's Yearly Fundraiser for The Link!

Join me in supporting The Link for Give to the Max Day! 

I am so proud to work here and manage multiple innovative programs that serve North Minneapolis and beyond. My programs focus on preventing evictions for northside youth and families, housing youth and families experiencing homelessness, and housing young people who have have been in foster care. 

This year has been especially tough for our youth and their communities. Donations this year are especially precious and appreciated, given the political climate.

The Link was founded by two North Minneapolis community members who were also former pro football players, Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed. We lost Jim Marshall this year but his legacy lives on through our continued advocacy for our most vulnerable and most resilient youth. We know that they can thrive when given opportunities. 

$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 and who share this donation page.

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

The Link provides crisis support, housing, and supportive services to around 2,000 youth each year across the Twin Cities Metro who are:

• Experiencing homelessness: Youth who don't have a safe place to sleep - often because they have been kicked out of their home, fled domestic violence, or aged out of the foster care system
• Sexually exploited: Young people who have been sexually exploited or trafficked - vulnerable youth are often targeted by traffickers who prey on their need for food, shelter, or a sense of belonging
• Justice system involved: Youth who are not attending school or who have been involved in crime - most often because of poverty or underlying trauma affecting them and/or their family

In response, The Link offers youth-driven programs that empower young people to transition out of crisis into safety and stability. Our staff work one-on-one with youth to heal from trauma, reengage in school, find jobs they love, build healthy relationships, and pursue their goals for the future. In 2024:

• 284 youth and families exited homelessness into stable housing
• 84% of youth maintained stable housing after completing Supportive Housing Programs
• 115 youth victim-survivors of sex trafficking received safe shelter, supportive services, and a path out of sex trafficking
• 87% of youth victim-survivors of sex trafficking reported an increased sense of self-worth

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, or donating! 

-Rana