Greater Minneapolis Council Of Churches

Youth:the youth deserve safe, nurturing spaces to grow and opportunities to learn and cultivate skills; find and build a caring, supportive community; and develop into 21st-century global citizens. The organization's neighborhood of phillips, minneapolis has a larger-than-average number of school-aged children and high poverty levels. This, combined with persistent educational disparities across minnesota, is why gmcc invests in youth development and education. Gmcc's out-of-school, year-round educational programming is called lakestreet youth labs (lyl) and provides underserved youth with steam-focused (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) curricula; homework help; and wraparound services including meals and groceries. Lyl's goals are to decrease educational disparities; increase skills in independent living, decision-making, and conflict resolution; improve family relationships; and provide opportunities for intercultural learning. The organization's curriculum is designed and delivered by experienced teachers, social workers, youth experts, and community partners and helps youth develop knowledge in a variety of academic topics and skills in communication, problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. School year programming includes after school courses for middle schoolers; steam activities on saturdays for elementary youth; and all-day camp during school breaks. Gmcc's lakestreet youth labs steam summer camp is a summer camp for grades 1-8 helps to curb summer learning loss. Gmcc also runs a leadership and career exploration program for high schoolers during each school year that provides opportunities to develop skills in areas such as goal-setting, resume writing, and interviewing, and to explore a variety of educational and career paths.

Wellbeing:clinical care accounts for only 20% of health outcomes; 80% are affected by the social determinants of health such as employment and economic stability; education; social and community connections; neighborhood and physical environment; and access to healthy food and physical activity. Gmcc focuses on these social determinants to maximize the impact on the health and well-being of our community members.the organization's weekly drop-in services provide neighbors living in poverty and experiencinghomelessness with various services including access to hot showers, hygiene supplies, and clean clothing; food bags and prepared meals; individualized case management; digital access; and respite from the outdoors.the organization's recovery care program was designed due to repeat concerns brought bycommunity members. The program addresses substance use disorders and addiction in the east african community through community-based, culturally-specific, and trauma- informed recovery services. The organization's team of certified peer recovery coaches have lived experience and cultural backgrounds that match those of the clients and conduct regular all recovery meetings and educational workshops.the organization offers a social justice training called "face the facts: understanding poverty," which brings to light the complexities and root causes of poverty; helps build empathy for struggling individuals and families; and prompts critical thinking about ways to dismantle systemic injustice. This is just one example of how the organization brings people together to spark important conversations about key issues in our communities.