YOUTH ADVOCACY DIVISION

The Link recognizes the resilience and strength in youth. We believe that youth who are involved in juvenile crime or status offenses are often connected to trauma that is going on in the youth and/or their family life.

We operate six programs that provide community based service for youth involved in the juvenile justice system due to past and/or current trauma, economic inequalities, racism and other forms of oppression. The programs offer services to youth in Hennepin County through a strength based and positive youth development response.

 

By working in partnership with the youth and their family to address the underlying causes of the youth’s behaviors, we find positive solutions to prevent the youth from dropping out of school and engaging in further criminal activity.

The Link’s Youth Advocacy Programs are overseen by the RILE Youth Advisory Committee. Learn more about the Youth Leadership at The Link, here.

Youth Connection Center

The Youth Connection Center (YCC) is a 24/7 safe and supervised space for youth ages 10 through 17 who have been picked up for status or low level offenses and/or who have been identified as sex trafficked by law enforcement in Hennepin County.

Marshall Reed Youth Center

The Marshall Reed Youth Center (MRYC) offers an alternative to detention and provides opportunities and support to male youth between the ages of 14 and 18 in Hennepin County on probation.

POWER Program

The POWER Program is a partnership between The Link and Hennepin County with the goal of interrupting the trend of justice-involvement and preventing out of home placement for girls ages 13-18.

School Matters

The School Matters program increases youth attendance rates and prevents them from dropping out of school. Our goal is to increase graduation rates for truant youth between the ages of 12 and 17.

Parent Support

The Link’s Parent Support Program is a culturally specific program to support African American parents of youth who have been a part of our Juvenile Supervision Center (JSC) or School Matters Program.

Community Navigator Program

Community Navigator Program is based in North Minneapolis, but serves youth throughout Hennepin County. This program provides individual case management for youth ages 10-24 on probation.