LSS offers services supporting children, youth, individuals and families in crisis across seven counties in the Brainerd Lakes region and Central Minnesota. Their Brainerd Street Outreach services support youth ages 21 and younger who are at-risk, have run away from home or are experiencing homelessness. Their Crisis Nursery provides up to three days of emergency care for children younger than 12.
The LSS Emergency Youth Hotline offers 24/7 support and resources to youth who have run away or are experiencing homelessness. With Hope Housing Services, LSS works youth and families who don’t have a stable place to stay or are at-risk of becoming homeless to develop a housing plan and connect them to helpful resources. The Host Homes for Youth program empowers good neighbors in the Brainerd Lakes area to shelter and support youth experiencing homelessness as they learn skills and move to the next stage of their lives. The Journey Transitional Living Program offers support to youth ages 16 to 21 in the Brainerd Lakes area who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Through Minnesota Regional Navigators, navigators connect youth and young adults who have been sexually exploited to housing, mental health support, employment and education resources, necessities to meet one’s basic needs, caring adults, legal services, advocacy, health care and other community resources. Pathways 4 Youth is a resource center in St. Cloud, for youth ages 16 through 24 who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Services include food pantry, clothing closet, education planning, housing referrals, case management, connections to area resources and more. The LSS Red Path Independent Living Skills service works with youth who are in or will soon age out of residential care to build independent living skills. LSS’s Safe Place is a way for youth younger than age 18 to quickly access services and shelter any time — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Finally, LSS’s Saving Grace program helps youth who’ve survived sex trafficking receive safe housing and support to shape an individualized safety and life plan.
