Chain Link Youth Foundation

01/10/2026

Chain Link Youth Foundation
Last 2 Months at a Glance

November 1, 2025: Executed the first annual Youth Health & Wellness 5K in North Minneapolis

Nearly 1 year of planning led to a safe, inclusive, and community-driven event

75 participants and donors showed up in support of youth health & wellness

Public safety partners included Minneapolis Police Dept., Minneapolis Fire Dept., and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office

$7,500 raised and immediately reinvested back into youth programming

December 2025: Launched a pilot Weekend Wellness Program funded directly by the 5K

4 youth received full-ride scholarships to participate

Weekly Saturday programming (1–4pm) focused on:

Fitness & strength coaching

Nutrition education & cooking skills

Mentorship from local professionals

Program outcomes:

100% attendance rate

Strong parent feedback

Youth asking for the program to continue

Looking ahead to 2026:

Seeking serious partners and funders

Goal: expand consistent, year-round wellness, mentorship, and development resources for youth

12/26/2025

Weeks 2 & 3 Mentorship in Action

One of the most powerful parts of the Weekend Wellness Program is exposure to real leaders who show our youth what’s possible.

Over the past two weeks, our participants learned from:

Cory Cutz, master barber and entrepreneur, on discipline, skill-building, and ownership

Sheriff Kelvin, on leadership, responsibility, and community service

Dr. Kasim, psychologist, on mental health, emotional awareness, and self-regulation

These conversations go beyond inspiration, they equip our youth with perspective, confidence, and tools they can carry forward. When young people see professionals who care, listen, and invest in them, it changes how they see themselves and their future.

This is the power of intentional mentorship.

12/23/2025

Chopping. Mixing. Learning. Growing.
Weeks 2 & 3 had our youth building nutrition skills with Chef Imani Jackson turning knowledge into meals and confidence they can carry forward.

12/22/2025

By Week 3, the progress is undeniable.
Our youth are gaining strength, endurance, mobility, and stability. Thanks to consistent coaching, safe space, and community support. This is why access to wellness matters!

12/09/2025

Our youth stepped into the world of construction with guest mentor Andy Leach , who taught them foundational skills like hammering nails and using a screw gun.
Professional learning like this helps youth discover new career paths and builds confidence through doing.
This is how we empower the next generation of leaders and builders.

12/09/2025

From soil to salad!
Our youth planted seeds with Chef Imani Jackson , explored how food grows, and then crafted their own Southwest salad bowl. Fresh, colorful, and delicious.
This is hands-on nutrition education that builds lifelong habits!

12/09/2025

Strength training. Stability work. Real growth.
Our expert coaches brought the energy for Week 1 of Weekend Wellness, and the youth showed OUT. 🔥

11/19/2025

Support Youth Wellness This Give To The Max Day!!

https://www.givemn.org/story/osgb5f

11/06/2025

What a Day!
Our 1st Annual Support Youth Health & Wellness 5K brought the community together to move, connect, and invest in brighter futures for youth. From the first stride to the finish line, every step helped build access to wellness, mentorship, and opportunity.

Thank you to all runners, volunteers, partners, and sponsors who made this possible. This is just the beginning!

11/06/2025

It's that time of the year to Give to the Max! Give to the Max Day is November 20th but you can donate starting today. Click the link below to donate to the Chain Link Youth Foundation. These funds are critical to fund our Weekend Wellness Program starting in December!

Every Saturday students will engage in hands-on sessions designed to strengthen the mind/body/spirit