YouthLink

Drop-in / outreach / basic needs: for more than 40 years, the Youthlink drop-in center has been a low barrier, inclusive refuge and community of safety for all young people experiencing and/or at risk of homelessness (16-24) from the geographic area surrounding downtown minneapolis and hennepin county. More than 1600 unduplicated youth are served annually; disproportionately 90% are bipoc youth (90% are african american young people). Young people enter a nonjudgmental, youth-centered community where healthy, trusting adult relationships are created in authentic, meaningful ways. (continued on schedule o)drop-in / outreach / basic needs (continued from part iii): once crisis response through basic needs are met, young people are guided to chart their journey by believing and using their own potential (not their current circumstances) to achieve stability, self-reliance, and self-actualization. Goals are to decrease length of time between first contact, homelessness, temporary shelter, and stabilization; increase access to basic needs followed by intervention designed to achieve stability, employment, education; prevent precariously housed youth from becoming homeless for the first time; connect youth during mobile drop-in intervention to drop-in crisis (basic need services) and intervention (rapid rehousing, stability, intensive wrap-around case management) and aftercare ( intentional after case services) four components frame the services provided through the drop-in: outreach, crisis/basic needs response, intervention services and after care. As a barrier-free refuge and highly accessible service, often the first point of contact is street outreach. Youthlink uses a "peer" model of street outreach with lived experience youth assisting to establish trust and engagement with the most vulnerable young people (16-24) on the streets of downtown minneapolis. Crisis/basic needs response includes food, showers, clothes, washers/dryers, health care, benefits, legal assistance, respite space, computer lab, mail access, cell phones, child advocacy assistance, bus passes and tokens, id's, birth certificates, social security card access, etc. Intervention services include chemical/addiction interventions, mental health support, jobs, rapid rehousing, housing vouchers, housing and landlord advocacy, court advocacy, legal clinic, access to the youth opportunity center, network of more than 20 other service partners) all located under one roof. Youthlink voices of youth advisory council, comprised of lived experience youth, provide continuous mentoring to other youth and programming in the drop-in.employment and education:youthlink operates as a nimble, flexible, partnership-based organization. With an onsite career and education pathway center, Youthlink strengthens the capacity of services offered through this center by having onsite partners with employment expertise, including goodwill easter seals, and hired (all career and employment agency's) onsite working with youth to assess, determine career interests, build resumes, identify internships, jobs, work readiness and find job placements for youth. Youthlink provides wraparound support services to youth while they are experiencing first jobs.additionally, Youthlink provides preparation for ged, guidance to stay in high school, transition assistance to enter post-secondary education, financial aid assistance, and other assistance for this process as well.youth opportunity center:this is a collaborative network of multiservice community partners located onsite, all and diverse needs of young people (16-24) at risk of and/or experiencing homelessness. Youth accessing services at the drop-in, have access to these partners and yl staff also can work with these partners to create "support service bundles" around youth tofurther ensure their success.drop-in / extended hours: focus group which is from 6pm-8pm every wednesday evening is for all youth that have been victimzed or sexually exploited. The goal is to create a safe place for youth and to come along side to help them on their journey to healing.

Housing stability: access to housing stability resources is a priority for youth. This starts from the first day a young person comes in contact with a staff person. Youthlink is one of the largest providers of support services in affordable housing in the twin cities.youthlink provides supportive housing services to eligible youth at a 42-unit nicollet square apartments, a partnership with beacon interfaith housing collaborative and 46 beds at downtown view, a partnership with project for pride in living, along with other scattered site units. (continued on schedule o)(continued from part iii) eligible youth can lease a one-bedroom or an efficiency apartment while surrounded by an effective system of Youthlink staff support. Support includes case management as well as onsite access to mental and chemical health, educational services, group support and cultural activities.