YouthLink MN, Minneapolis

YouthLink provides a safe and supportive refuge for young people who are homeless or at risk for becoming homeless. YouthLink is also the host site for the Youth Opportunity Center, uniting community partners who provide services to homeless young people under one roof with the aim to provide a comprehensive array of services and to make them more accessible for people who do not possess the resources to support mobility. Clients can come to YouthLink to satisfy their immediate needs—with a hot meal, a shower, and clean clothes—or to address larger issues with its intervention services. An onsite medical clinic helps youth access health-care services including STD and pregnancy testing, birth control, immunizations, and mental-health counseling. Additionally, YouthLink helps its clients succeed in school by offering intensive case management for students enrolled in Minneapolis public schools, GED tutoring, and an independent-living skills program.