At Children’s Minnesota we stand in solidarity with our Minneapolis and St. Paul communities as we mourn the killing of George Floyd, stand against acts of racism and violence, and acknowledge the longstanding inequities that adversely impact people of color. In this moment, many of us are called to action to help repair and rebuild the communities where we work, live, and serve those in our care.
“The events that have occurred in our community have been tragic and will have a lasting impact on the communities we serve,” said Maria Christu, chief legal officer, senior vice president advocacy and health policy. “As an organization it is important that we rally together to help the businesses and community members as they work to rebuild.”
Most immediately, community partners need financial contributions. These dollars allow organizations to be nimble and responsive to both existing and emerging community needs. Below is a list of community partners who serve many of our children and families, with whom Children’s Minnesota has established relationships, or where children have been disproportionately impacted.
Another pathway for support is to give to neighborhood organizations including the Lake Street Council and West Broadway Business Coalition and to shop at local businesses that remain open and are seeking to reopen quickly.
Pillsbury United Communities (Minneapolis)
- Started as a settlement house in 1879, PUC works to create a more just society through programming focused on community health, family stabilization and food access.
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center (St. Paul)
- An African-America nonprofit social service agency, Hallie Q. Brown serves children and families in the Summit University area of St. Paul. They offer early childhood education services, youth programming and basic needs support.
Midwest Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) (Minneapolis)
- Located just a few blocks behind our Minneapolis campus, the MIWRC is a non-profit social and education services organization “designed to educate and empower American Indian women and their families.”
Neighborhood House (St. Paul)
- A multi-service agency providing wrap-around services, including education, youth programs and help with basic needs, for over 15,000 people. All services are free to participants.
Northside Achievement Zone (NAC) (Minneapolis)
- NAC is a designated federal Promise Neighborhood with a next-generation approach that served more than 2,000 children in 2019. Their mission is “to end generational poverty and build a culture of achievement in North Minneapolis where all low-income children of color graduate from high school college and career ready.”
The surrounding community has been exceedingly generous with contributions of food and supplies, however, many organizations are now at capacity and cannot easily receive, sort, and distribute additional inventory. We will be working with community partners in the upcoming weeks and months to determine what additional resources they might need in both the short and long-term. Similarly, we will be identifying future volunteer opportunities.
There is no better time to live our values and join together as we work to ensure that all children live in a community that is safe, equitable and healthy.
Kaitlyn Kamleiter