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About UsThe Link is a nonprofit founded in 1991 by two former Minnesota Vikings players in collaboration with the late Leonard Lindquist [pdf] who shared a vision of bringing opportunity and positive relationships to disempowered youth living in impoverished neighborhoods. This grassroots initiative has since blossomed into an experienced youth service organization serving the community through advocacy, housing, education, and intervention services. Over the last 18 years, The Link has touched the lives of nearly 17,500 youth and their family members through our asset-based service philosophy. Today, The Link continues to build positive relationships with youth that create sustainable positive changes.Click here to read about The Link's history... [pdf] Click here to see The Link's Staff List and Contact Information... Click here for The Link's Board of Directors... Our operational philosophy...The Link is unique in that we enhance our capacity to deliver the most effective direct service, by training all staff and volunteers in the nationally recognized, evidence-based Health Realization Community Empowerment Model.Health Realization (HR) is a simple but powerful psychological model that has been successfully used to create positive life changes for youth and adults. In our work with youth and families, the use of HR has improved the participants’ communication and relationships, reduced anger and negative behaviors, and participants have demonstrated a greater willingness to accept responsibility for their own life and actions. We teach and model the principles of Health Realization with the hope that our clients will experience the internal change that they need to be motivated to live successful, independent lives. This is a model based on the premise that every person possesses an innate capacity for health, strength and well-being. Disempowering systems of belief or thinking, however, can create self-perpetuating world views that are negative in nature. Such negativities are primary obstacles in combating community issues like truancy and crime. Our use of HR and the HR trainings we offer give individuals the tools they need to break the cycle of disempowerment and hopelessness. When a person begins to connect to their underlying reservoir of strength and health, they begin to advocate for themselves, and become our partners in community change. In a climate where strength based approaches are becoming recognized as more effective, HR has emerged as a best practice for implementing a social service agency’s work. The Link has used Health Realization for ten years with youth in juvenile correctional facilities and now brings it into the arenas of intervention work and community support. In our work, we witness improved communication and relationships, reduced stress and anger, and a greater willingness to claim ownership of one’s own life and actions. The Link is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please contact us to obtain copies of our current strategic plan or 990 IRS documents. |
My StoryLindquist ApartmentsChad was feeling very discouraged after failing a drug-test and an apartment inspection. He had come to Lindquist Apartments from a dysfunctional family and wanted to succeed. These last setbacks had the 17-year old thinking about moving back home. Chad met with Cameron, a new Case Manager for Lindquist Apartments. Chad commented that he was energized to have a male case manager. Someone who might understand him better. Chad shared that he still wanted to earn his GED. This was a goal he had set up when he moved into Lindquist Apartments more than a year ago. Chad's anxiety and insecurities were a barrier to accomplishing this and other goals. Within three months of re-evaluating his goals with Cameron, Chad had earned his GED. He scored within the 95th percentile on three of the six exams. He had the highest math score the testing facility had ever seen! Chad has renewed confidence after doing so well on his tests. He is now focused on "what's next". He wants to continue his education by starting college next spring. Hennepin County is a sponsoring agency of Lindquist Apartments. |
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The Link | 1210 Glenwood Ave | Minneapolis, MN 55405 | 612.871.0748 phone | 612.871.0755 fax | info@thelinkmn.org Copyright © 2009 The Link. All Rights Reserved. The Link is an Equal Opportunity Employer. | ||