CREAT I NG J OB S , LAUNCH I NG CARE ERS
We’ve always advocated for the health and well-being of everyone in the communities we serve. But 2020 delivered a wake-up call. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people of color, George Floyd’s death, and the outcry against injustice that followed made clear our responsibility to do more and be better. We recognized that we must transform the way we do business. Forging relationships We also understand that we don’t have all the answers and that we need to strengthen our relationships in underserved communities. We created a pathway to do so by opening a new office in St. Paul’s racially diverse Midway neighborhood, where many businesses were damaged or destroyed in the unrest. We tapped our relationship with regional business collaborative Greater MSP to help find the right location. And we’re connecting with Midway-area community leaders and nonprofits to identify local job candidates. Enriching our organization Our Midway office brings jobs, training, and economic opportunities to a neighborhood that has long struggled to maintain professional employment options. At the same time, the office enriches our workforce, creates space for meaningful listening, and helps us get closer to community members who deserve to be heard. We recognize we can’t fix economic inequality on our own. But as a nonprofit with 45 years of experience in giving back, we can make a difference by more fully immersing ourselves in the communities we serve. Building for the future
“This is a tremendous example of an organization intentionally locating to provide jobs and access and opportunity, and to establish a footprint and build relationships with new talent.” Channon Lemon Vice President of Economic Development St. Paul Area Chamber
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