The Link
Mission:
The Link's mission is to build a supportive community
network that links youth and their families to their
inner strength through life skills, education,
advocacy, supportive housing, and a dynamic
network of social services to transform lives.
Our vision is for a future in which supportive
communities nurture confident, happy and secure
youth.
The Link’s Programs
Housing and Homeless Services Division:
• Lindquist Apartments
• Lincoln Place
• Transitional Living Program
• Housing First Scattered Site
Safe Harbor Division:
• Passageways Shelter and Housing Program
• The Revive Family Program
• West Metro Regional Navigator
Juvenile Justice Division:
• School Matters
• Evening Reporting Center
• Juvenile Supervision Center
Juvenile Supervision Center:
• 24/7 program
• Run out of Minneapolis City Hall
• Opened in 2008, operating annual cost of
$745,571
• In kind donations of space, van and Police Officer
time reduce costs
Juvenile Supervision Center:
• Funded and overseen by the Joint
Powers that consists of: the City of
Minneapolis, Hennepin County and
Minneapolis Public Schools
• The Joint Powers Board meets twice annually and the
JSC workgroup meets monthly to problem solve and
coordinate services
Juvenile Supervision Center:
• Youth ages 10-17 dropped off 24/7 by
Police Officers
• Offenses include truancy, curfew and low level
offenses that do not warrant detention
• Youth receive: risk/needs assessment, mental health
screening, connections to resources, crisis
management, transportation/connection to
home/school/safe place, and enriching/educational
activities
Juvenile Supervision Center:
• Aftercare services include
case management or case stabilization
• Average length of stay: 99 minutes
• In 2013, JSC had 2517 youth visits and provided
aftercare to over 500 youth. 75% of youth only came to
the JSC one time.
Questions?
Thank you for your interest.
Beth Holger-Ambrose, Executive Director
bholger-ambrose@thelinkmn.org
Blaine Turnbull, Juvenile Supervision Center Program Manager
bturnbull@thelinkmn.org
www.thelinkmn.org
Youth Coordinating Board
Downtown Youth Worker Engagement Project
YCB= Fall Youth Outreach
Brief History
• The team was initially assembled at the invitation of Minneapolis Public
Schools and the Downtown Improvement District. The invite came from
our work in 2007 with The Youth Are Here bus, a circulator bus that
transported youth to parks, community centers, and libraries.
• The start date for the team outreach work in downtown Minneapolis was
the fall of 2012.
• The YCB Downtown Outreach Team was charged with creating safe
passage and engaging the scores of youth that would be passing through
downtown when the Go-To Pass program was implemented in
Minneapolis Public Schools, replacing yellow school busses.
• The team encountered a large population of highly mobile and homeless
young people. So we shifted our focus to accommodate this population
and provide resources for this group of young people.
Youth Outreach Project
Youth Street Outreach Team Mission:
To engage young people downtown who may be passing
through or are in need and connecting them to meaningful
activities or resources.
Summer Crime Report: 2013
• 42% Decrease in juvenile crime
• 8% Decrease for overall violent crime
• 11% Decrease for late night violent crime
YCB
Youth Outreach Project
Overview:
• Fall Street Outreach: September 1st to November 16th 2013
• Summer Street Outreach: June 5th to October 3rd, 2014
• 6 youth workers from 3:30pm to 9:00pm
• 5 days a week coverage for 12 weeks
• Focus Areas: Nicollet Mall, Warehouse District & Events
YCB=
Youth Outreach Project
Youth Engagement Strategies:
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Connect disengaged youth to meaningful activities through GO TO pass conversations
Promote downtown behavior expectation guidelines
Connect youth to opportunities in communities, programs, libraries and
neighborhoods, e.g. sporting events, employment opportunities, enrichment
opportunities and youth activities.
Continue to use social media “ R.A.G.E. Page” on Facebook to get youth involved and
highlight great youth interactions downtown.
Partner with Downtown YMCA and staff to facilitate and offer 1 Open Basketball Gym
and Youth Development session for 25 youth once a week after school.
Collaborate with Key youth outreach partners, Juxtaposition Arts, MADDADS,
YouthLINK and Streetworks.
Collaborate with City Attorney Chris Dixon and team on the Downtown 100 2.0.
Partner with Downtown Central Library and Best Buy Tech Center staff and security to
utilize space on Nicollet Mall and inside Library space to engage youth in
opportunities, curtail challenging behaviors and redirect youth.
Bus tokens will be used by the YCB street outreach team to connect disengaged youth
to activities, resources and home. They will only be given to disengaged youth
between the ages (15yrs to 23yrs). The Purpose is to connect disengaged youth to an
activity, resource or to get home immediately from downtown.
YCB
Awards
Local Public Health Hero Award
In partnership with Minneapolis Youth Congress
Chief Harteau’s 2014 Award of Merit
Pop-Up Park Pictures
Pop-Up Park Pictures
Pop-Up Park Pictures
Pop-Up Park Pictures
Partners of Downtown Outreach Team
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Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board
Downtown Improvement District
Minneapolis Police Department
Hennepin County District Attorney Mike
Freeman
Our Website and Contact Cards