Oasis for Youth has spent 15 years helping Bloomington-area young people who have nowhere stable to sleep. Starting in 2027 it will do that work under a bigger organization. The nonprofit serves people ages 16 to 24 who are homeless or at risk of losing their housing. It will merge with The Link on Jan. 1, 2027, and continue as a program within The Link.
The organizations said the merger gives The Link a wider reach and makes both groups better able to give young people housing, basic needs, advocacy and other support. They expect The Link to serve about 2,450 young people a year, up from about 2,000. That works out to roughly 450 more.
In Bloomington, Richfield and Edina, Oasis runs street outreach, a drop-in center where young people can get basic necessities, shelter and housing. It also has a youth employment program run with Mall of America. The organizations said Oasis will keep its presence and its relationships in those 3 cities. The drop-in center has been at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington since 2011. Oasis was founded that same year, after community conversations about youth homelessness.
The Link is older and much bigger. Minnesota Vikings players Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed founded it in 1991. It is based in North Minneapolis, at 1210 Glenwood Ave., and works across the metro with young people ages 10 to 24. Its programs serve youth experiencing homelessness, sexually exploited youth and young people involved in the juvenile justice system. The organization says 290 youth and families have safe housing through it every night.
"Our commitment has always been to do whatever it takes to help young people get what they need to thrive," said Beth Holger, The Link's CEO. She said the merger lets the organization "reach more young people and make it easier for youth and families across our community to find meaningful support when they need it."
Jamar Hardy, who chairs The Link's board, said young people deserve "strong relationships, real opportunities and organizations willing to respond to what they need." He said, "This merger gives us greater capacity to put that belief into action."
Neither organization has said whether the Oasis name, staff or daily operations will change. For now, both point people to oasisforyouth.org and The Link's website for more information.
