Staff at Youthlink in downtown Minnepolis are gearing up to open their doors 24 hours a day through Friday because of the extreme cold.
Young people and teens ages 16 to 24 can find themselves without reliable, safe shelter when it gets this dangerously cold. They might be disconnected from family or have experienced trauma.
"Particularly during this time they're vulnerable on the streets, " Youthlink executive director Dr. Heather Huseby said. "They're vulnerable to predators on the streets, they're vulnerable to people saying, 'Come and stay with me. You'll be safe.' We want to get them off the streets and into a safe place with us so that they don't get taken advantage of."
When bundled up for the most extreme cold, what we're wearing head-to-toe can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Huseby says she sometimes sees young people using the warming center trying to get by wearing three sweatshirts at a time.
"We've had donations of jackets and coats and the youth that are on the streets were just in here trying to get coats and we almost ran out," she said. "We know what we have to be open."
Besdies warmth and a hot meal, the young people can find support. Vonny, 23, has recommended Youthlink to people he knows and met his two best friends there. Through their services was able to get his own apartment.
"People need a sense of direction, so it's good to have a place like Youthlink to give the youth something to do other than roam the streets or even be out there freezing right now looking for some trouble to get into to find their way of how they're gonna sleep well tonight or eat," he said.
Youthlink is expecting 20 young people tonight but will not turn more away because of the temperatures.
Staff is working extra and they're asking for more donations, especially of coats, gloves, hates and hand warmers.