The Link

Every day, young people across the Twin Cities face challenges no one should ever face alone - homelessness, sexual exploitation, and involvement in unjust systems. 

At The Link, we meet each young person where they are and do whatever it takes to help them find safety, stability, and hope.

That might mean offering a warm shower and a place to rest indoors. Helping a young family fleeing domestic violence find emergency shelter. Showing up to advocate with youth in court. Or simply being there to listen without judgement.

We know that creating a community where all youth are safe and supported will take all of us — each doing whatever it takes.

It’s the same spirit that inspired our founders, Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed — community leaders and former Vikings who refused to stand by while young people were struggling. While we were deeply saddened by Jim’s passing earlier this year, his legacy lives on every day through our work with youth.

This Give to the Max Day, we are asking our community to come together to raise $100,000 — ensuring The Link can continue meeting youth where they are, providing critical services, and showing up for every young person who needs us.

When you give to The Link, you invest in a vision started by Jim and Oscar and carried on by all of us. You become part of a community that shows up, stands with youth, and ensures that no young person has to face their challenges alone.

Together, we will do whatever it takes.

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About The Link

The Link was founded in 1991 by two Black community leaders and former Minnesota Vikings, Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed. They recognized the needs of youth in North Minneapolis who were experiencing poverty, homelessness, and involvement in the juvenile justice system. The Link has grown to serve youth throughout the entire metro area, but we are still based out of North Minneapolis and continue to provide services within the original vision of our founders. 

We offer programming in three areas:

• Housing & Homeless Services: housing and supportive services for youth and young families experiencing homelessness
• Safe Harbor: emergency shelter, housing, and supportive services for youth at-risk of or experiencing sexual exploitation or trafficking
• Youth Advocacy: positive alternative programs for youth involved in the juvenile justice system and support for students experiencing chronic truancy in Hennepin County 

Learn more at www.thelinkmn.org