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The identity crisis ... occurs in that period of the life cycle
when each youth must forge for himself some central perspective and direction, some working unity, out of the effective remnants
of his childdhood and the hopes of his anticipated adulthood. (Young Man Luther, ch. 1)
The Link Crisis Intervention Center is a program of Child & Family Services of Southwestern
Michigan, Inc. The Link provides shelter, counseling, aftercare, outreach and community education services to runaway, homeless
and at-risk youth and their families in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. This is the only program in the tri-county area
solely devoted to serving youth in crisis. The shelter care program is a 14-bed, 14-day residential center operating 24 hours
per day, 365 days per year offering individual, group and family counseling, nutrition and life skill training and structured
recreational activities.
While residing at the shelter facility, each resident receives classroom instruction from
a licensed teacher or is transported to their local school. The Link teacher works closely with each child's school to
ensure that assignments are completed and the youth do not fall further behind in their academic process, thus improving their
chances of graduating on time. A six-month aftercare program is offered to all youth and/or their families who have participated
in our shelter program. The shelter is licensed by the State of Michigan as a Child Caring Institution.
The Link
Crisis Intervention Center also provides on-site and home-based counseling to groups, individuals and families. We are prepared
to shelter over 225 youth per year and provide community outreach and aftercare servicse for 100 youth and their families.
The Link continues to develop collaborative programs within our community. We currently have an agreement with
the Benton Harbor Boys and Girls Club allowing youth at the Link shelter to participate in their programs, including dinner.
The Link provides counseling and referrals to community resources to any youth participatin at the Boys and Girls Club. A
Link counselor is at each of their locations once a week. This collaboration is also an opportunity to identify at-risk youth
and intervene in time to prevent youth from becoming homeless or running away.
The goal of the Link is to
assist youth in developing sklls that will prevent them from becoming homeless or running away and to facilitate reunifying
youth in the shelter with their family or to another suitable environment. We are accomplishing our goals by providing shelter,
case management, counseling and outreach to youth (ages 9 to 17) and their families. All services provided by the Link
are voluntary and free. We continue to work with local communities to identify and implement effective mutually beneficial
collaborations to assist in responsible stewardship of available resources.