Teens Use Summer toHelp Community -- The Link -- building supportive communities for youth

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Teens Use Summer toHelp Community

Thirty teenagers spent the summer learning about leadership and connecting with community around them through The Link's Youth for Justice program. Teens took part in eight service projects to support the community.

One impactful project was working with Sisters Camelot distributing fruits and vegetables to those in need in North Minneapolis. The youth also worked with an artist to create murals that are displayed at 40th and Bloomington by El Coliquio charter school. The teens took pride in impacting the community through the service projects. At the conclusion of the summer program, all 30 teens felt a much stronger part of the community.

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My Story

Juvenile Supervision Center
"I want a job but can't find one", 15 year-old John exclaimed during a visit to The Link's Juvenile Supervision Center (JSC). John was at the JSC again for being out past curfew. John, a gang member, shared he was out because he did not have anything else to do and he was bored. He was hoping to find a job and something positive in his life.

The Link's staff met with John to help him apply for a job and learn interview skills. While he has not found a job yet, he has taken it upon himself to apply for jobs without any help from our staff. He's confident he will have a job soon!

John also was not enrolled in school. He had problems in school and had missed the last two appointments he had with his mom to enroll. Our staff worked with him so he would understand the importance of continuing in school. John is enrolled at a local area high school and is doing well. He actually enjoys school!

John is the first one to admit he has made some poor decisions in his life. He is now trying to make the right decisions that will put him on a positive direction for his life. Having The Link's staff help him find that starting point was just want he needed.

The JSC will serve more than 3,000 youth ages 10-17 this year. Youth are brought to the JSC for curfew, truancy and low level offenses. 83% of referred youth are one-time offenders.

Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis are sponsoring agencies of the Juvenile Supervision Center.