Community Champions Series, March 2026
| In this series, we celebrate the individuals whose dedication, compassion, and commitment are helping young people thrive, and whose everyday actions are making a lasting difference across our community. Community Champions go above and beyond to create safe spaces, open doors, and offer steady support when it matters most. |
Laura Aase and Sister Link
Laura Aase is the coordinator for Sister Link, a dedicated volunteer group out of Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, MN. For nearly a decade, Sister Link has been supporting The Link’s Passageway’s Shelter & Housing Program through things like their monthly activity nights and providing holiday gifts for young people every year during Gift Link. Passageways is part of The Link’s Safe Harbor Division, which works to support youth victims of sex trafficking and/or exploitation transition into safety and begin healing from trauma as they build healthy, stable futures. We are so grateful for our partnership with Sister Link and are excited to highlight them as our Community Champions this month!
Please tell us a little bit about yourself (or group) and how you are involved with supporting The Link.
My name is Laura Aase and I coordinate the activities for Sister Link. Sister Link is a service group facilitated by Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran church. We are dedicated to supporting the youth at Passageways and have been active for about 10 years. We do activities with the youth once a month as well as special events like cookouts and Valentines Day Bingo. In December, we facilitate Gift Link through our church. We collect gifts for the youth, then we have a wrapping event and the case workers leave with a garbage bag full of hand picked gifts for each youth.
How did you get introduced to The Link?
Personally, I became involved with Sisters Link when I retired. I was a middle school educator and want to continue making a difference with teens. Through one of our pastors I learned about Passageways, was interested, got trained and joined the group! Working with these kids has been one of the highlights of my retirement. The more I learn about the Link, the more impressed I am with the organization and the more committed I become.
When you think about the future of our community, what role do you see The Link playing, and why is that role so vital right now?
I love that the Link is so politically active about the vulnerable youth in our state. They involve the youth in every decision, from meal planning to the color of the walls to activities and the structure of the programs. Their staff is amazing and well trained.
With so many youth exploited, a very visible and respected organization like the Link is crucial to educate the community and support the youth in every way that they can. I feel that their political presence is especially necessary.
How would you describe The Link to a friend who has never heard of us?
When I tell a friend about the Link, I stress what an amazing organization it is. I stress the different divisions, the stellar staff, the youth involved decision making processes, and the political involvement. It is a truly amazing organization.