To the Editor,
Our youth are our greatest natural resource; yet 1 in 5 interviewed homeless youth in foster or shelter care were identified as victims of some sort of human trafficking*. How can this be? What needs to change? What can we do to help?
The first step to change is becoming informed. My husband and I had the honor of attending a fundraiser recently for The Link, an organization whose mission is to work “with youth and families to overcome the impacts of poverty and social injustice.”
Former Vikings players Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed founded the organization in 1991 to help youth achieve their potential. Their efforts to solve youth homelessness and trafficking have led the organization to create 28 separate programs to help youth in crisis. These programs fall under three divisions: housing, safe harbor and youth advocacy.
The Link does offer emergency shelter and services; however, it goes beyond, offering continuing support through case management and counseling that is specifically tailored to each individual’s situation.
I am convinced that each child has the potential to achieve success in life, if only we all offer support and encouragement. The first step for us is to be aware of the issues our youth face and learn about the important work of organizations such as The Link (thelinkmn.org).
If you or someone you know is being sexually exploited or trafficked, please call 1 (866) 223-1111 to learn about services in your community. Any child who is homeless, who feels hopeless, or who is trafficked holds great potential that we as Minnesotans cannot afford to lose.
*According the Minnesota Department of Health Safe Harbors Program.
Jo Anne Agrimson
Utica, Minn.
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