Section 1: Overview

Change Inc. is a Minnesota-based non-profit organization that provides educational, training, and mental health services to children, youth, young adults, and families in the Twin Cities. Its core mission is to address the challenges of systemic poverty and racism by utilizing the power of relationships and community to create opportunities for success. 

Change Inc.'s ABE services in the consortium are provided through The GAP School, a state-approved alternative program and high school located in Saint Paul.

The GAP School

The GAP (Guadalupe Alternative Programs) School is a key component of Change Inc., serving approximately 200 youth and young adults (ages 15-24) annually who are at high risk of school dropout. The school takes a holistic approach to education by addressing social-emotional needs and practical barriers to academic success. The GAP school braids public school funding and ABE services for those over 17 years of age.

Key features of the GAP School include:

• Target Population: It primarily serves students who are behind in academic skills, low-income, experiencing mental health issues, English Language Learners, pregnant or parenting, or have faced other difficulties in traditional school settings.

• Individualized Support: The school offers individualized education plans and a lower staff-to-student ratio compared to traditional public schools, fostering strong relationships with caring adults.

• Wrap-around Services: In addition to education, GAP School provides essential resources such as mental health services, meals, transportation, and childcare to support students' basic needs.

• Career Pathways: It includes workforce development programs like YouthBuild, where participants gain construction skills by working on housing projects for low-income families while earning their high school diploma.

• Culturally Responsive Environment: The school is committed to cultural knowledge as critical to growth and healing, employing diverse staff to connect meaningfully with its diverse student population. 

CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio) is Minnesota's largest Latino-led nonprofit organization, founded in 1981 by and for the Latino community. Its mission is to advance social and economic equity and wellbeing for Latinos by building upon their strengths and cultures and providing a wide array of culturally and linguistically relevant social services.

CLUES serves as a hub for the Latino and immigrant communities, providing integrated "whole person and whole family" services that connect individuals to resources and opportunities for long-term wellness and prosperity. It has multiple offices across Minnesota, including in St. Paul (headquarters), Minneapolis, Willmar, and Austin.

Key Programs and Services

CLUES offers a comprehensive package of programs across various areas, all designed to address the diverse and interconnected barriers faced by the community:

• Behavioral Health: Offers culturally responsive mental health assessment and therapy, substance use disorder treatment, and child and adult case management services (certified as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic).

• Economic Prosperity: Provides job training, employment counseling, housing counseling (including foreclosure prevention and home ownership workshops), financial literacy, and support for aspiring child care business owners.

• Children & Parenting: Programs focus on early childhood resources, parent education, and the Youth in Action (YA!) program for high school students, which includes mentorship, skill-building, and college preparation.

• Health & Wellness: Offers health insurance enrollment assistance, healthy food distribution programs (Canasta Familiar), and various wellness classes and workshops.

• Arts & Culture: Promotes Latino arts and culture through community events like the Fiesta Latina and features Minnesota's only nonprofit Latino art gallery at its St. Paul headquarters.

• Survivor Support: Provides advocacy and support services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

CLUES provides ESL, Citizenship and Digital Literacy classes in its St. Paul location. Through its holistic and culturally-anchored approach, CLUES aims to foster an empowered Latino community with amplified voices and equal access to the resources needed to lead healthy and thriving lives.

The Hmong Cultural Center (HCC), is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating Hmong culture while fostering cross-cultural awareness and understanding between Hmong and non-Hmong communities. Founded in 1992, HCC aims to support the personal development of the Hmong community while educating the broader public about Hmong history, heritage, and contributions.

The center serves as a vital community resource, offering a blend of educational programs, cultural arts instruction, and historical preservation initiatives.

Key Programs and Resources

HCC's work focuses on sustaining Hmong traditions and supporting community integration. Key areas include:

• Hmong Cultural Center Museum: Features exhibits and displays on Hmong history, the Hmong experience in the U.S. (including the Secret War in Laos), traditional clothing, and artifacts.

• Hmong Resource Center Library: Offers an extensive collection of Hmong-related materials for research and community use.

• Adult Basic Education: Provides free ESL and U.S. Citizenship test preparation classes for immigrants and refugees.

• Cultural Arts Education: Offers instruction in traditional Hmong arts like the qeej, dance, and ceremonial songs.

• Multicultural Education: Programs like the "Hmong 101 Program" provide workshops and resources to promote cultural understanding and positive race relations.

Through these programs, the Hmong Cultural Center is important for preserving Hmong heritage and building bridges within Minnesota's diverse community.

The International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN), founded in 1919, is a non-profit organization that helps immigrants and refugees achieve self-sufficiency and full integration into American life. Located in Saint Paul, the Institute provides comprehensive services that guide newcomers from their arrival to long-term success. Its mission is to make Minnesota a welcoming state by offering a broad range of education, employment, and legal assistance programs.

Key Programs and Services

IIMN offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to address the various stages of the resettlement process:

• Refugee Services: Welcomes and provides initial resettlement services to refugees, including securing housing, social services, and employment support. The Institute has resettled over 25,000 refugees since 1975.

• Immigration Legal Services: Offers low-cost legal assistance for a variety of needs, including naturalization, adjustment of status, and work authorization. It has helped thousands of New Americans become U.S. citizens.

• Education and Training: Provides free classes for adults, including English language (ESL) instruction at all levels and specific job training programs.

  • Notable training programs include:

    • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training: Prepares students for careers in the healthcare field.

    • Medical Career Advancement: Guides internationally-trained medical professionals through the relicensing process.

    • Entrepreneurship Class: Helps aspiring business owners develop a business plan.

• Career Advancement: Offers programs and guidance for immigrants seeking to advance their careers, including leadership training and career counseling.

• College Readiness: Prepares New Americans for higher education through academic support and guidance.

Through these wide-ranging programs, the International Institute of Minnesota continues to be a vital pillar of support for the state's immigrant and refugee communities.

Literacy Minnesota is a statewide non-profit organization that connects people to learning opportunities, advocates for equitable access to education, and provides services to children, adults, and literacy programs across the state. Its mission is to share the power of learning through education, community building, and advocacy, envisioning a future where everyone has access to the learning opportunities needed to reach their full potential.

Literacy Minnesota works with a broad definition of literacy that extends beyond just reading and writing to include the ability to navigate technology, health information, civic systems, and cultural symbols that shape daily life.

Key Programs and Services

Literacy Minnesota provides direct instruction and capacity-building support to hundreds of partner organizations throughout the state:

• Adult Basic Education (ABE) Classes: Through its Open Door Learning Centers in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and various satellite sites, the organization provides free classes for adults in English as a Second Language (ESL), GED preparation, basic reading and math skills, and U.S. Citizenship preparation.

• Volunteer Training and Support: Literacy Minnesota is a leading resource for the training and placement of volunteers in literacy programs, offering workshops, online resources, and core training modules for effective remote and in-person instruction.

• National Service Programs (AmeriCorps): The organization hosts several AmeriCorps VISTA programs, including the Literacy Leadership Program and Summer Reads, which place members in partner organizations to build capacity and fight the "summer slide" (the decline of literacy skills in low-income children).

• Northstar Digital Literacy: Literacy Minnesota is the national developer and thought leader behind the Northstar Digital Literacy program, which provides assessments and curricula to help adults gain the computer skills necessary for employment and daily life.

• Curriculum Development and Resources: It develops and shares high-quality educational materials and curricula for adult education, such as "English Unlocked" and pre-beginning ESL curricula, for use by educators nationwide.

• Advocacy: The organization advocates for increased funding and policy changes to support adult education programs at local and state levels, working to address Minnesota's significant academic achievement gaps.

Literacy Minnesota reaches nearly 90,000 children and adults each year, leveraging the support of thousands of volunteers and national service members to expand learning opportunities for all Minnesotans.

MORE is a Minnesota-based non-profit organization whose full name reflects its original mission of serving the growing needs of the refugee and new immigrant community. It was established in 1989 in St. Paul to provide essential social services, education, and support, with a particular focus on empowering Hmong and other Southeast Asian communities to integrate successfully into their new home. The organization is committed to holistic support, addressing a wide array of barriers to self-sufficiency and community engagement.

Key Programs and Services

MORE offers various services designed to meet the diverse needs of the community, ranging from education to essential support services:

• Adult Basic Education (ABE): Provides educational opportunities for adults, including English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and preparation for U.S. citizenship tests, crucial for newcomers to navigate their new environment.

• Youth and Family Services: Offers programs aimed at the development and well-being of young people, including academic enrichment, social support, and positive engagement opportunities.

• Employment and Career Support: Helps community members acquire the skills and confidence needed for career advancement, providing job training and connecting individuals to employment opportunities.

• Essential Support Services: Provides crucial wrap-around support to address basic needs, such as help with housing, healthcare access, and other life transition challenges to ensure stability and success for families.

• Cultural Preservation and Community Building: While integration is a key focus, MORE also values cultural identity and community connection, providing spaces and resources for cultural expression and mutual support.

Through these wide-ranging services, MORE aims to equip refugees and immigrants with the tools and support needed to thrive independently and contribute meaningfully to Minnesota's diverse community.

Neighborhood House, one of St. Paul, Minnesota's most historic social institutions, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in diverse communities. Founded in 1897 by women from Mount Zion Temple to assist Jewish refugees, it has long served as a welcoming presence for successive waves of immigrants, refugees, and others in transition or crisis, including Mexican, Hmong, Somali, and Karen populations. Its mission is to help families move from simply "survive to thrive" by providing a holistic, integrated approach to programming.

Key Programs and Services

Neighborhood House operates on a model that addresses the "whole person and whole family," offering a comprehensive suite of services that integrate basic needs support with lifelong learning opportunities:

• Family Centers: These serve as a central hub where families work one-on-one with a Family Coach to identify needs, receive case management, get referrals to community resources, and enroll for government benefits like MNSure.

• Basic Needs and Food Support: This includes one of Ramsey County's largest food markets, providing fresh, healthy, and culturally appropriate food, as well as emergency household items, hygiene kits, school supplies, and diapers.

• Housing Stability: The organization is a key prevention provider in Ramsey County, offering crisis financial assistance for rent, mortgage, or utility payments to help families avoid eviction and homelessness.

• Adult Education: Offers free classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), GED preparation, and U.S. Citizenship test preparation.

• Parent & Early Childhood Education: Programs feature a preschool with a kindergarten readiness curriculum, working closely with parents on their child's intellectual and emotional education.

• Youth Programs: Provides safe spaces and engaging activities for youth aged 6-18, including homework assistance, tutoring, summer camps, and opportunities to build leadership skills.

• Latino Leadership Program: Specifically designed for adults from the Latino community to explore and develop their personal leadership styles.

With multiple locations throughout St. Paul, including the Paul & Sheila Wellstone Center for Community Building, Neighborhood House serves over 16,000 people annually, with over 90% of participants identifying as minorities and a majority speaking a language other than English at home.

The Hubbs Center is the primary Adult Basic Education (ABE) provider for Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS), offering free educational opportunities and job training for adults aged 17 and older. The Center's mission is to provide adults with the literacy skills necessary to be self-sufficient and participate effectively as productive workers, family members, and citizens.

Serving nearly 6,000 adults annually from nearly 100 different countries, the Hubbs Center provides a vital resource for immigrants, refugees, and individuals seeking to improve their foundational skills.

Key Programs and Services

The Hubbs Center offers a comprehensive range of classes and support services tailored to the needs of its diverse adult student population:

• English Language Learning (ESL/ELL): A variety of classes for all proficiency levels to help adults learn to read, write, and speak in English.

• High School Equivalency: Free, in-person and online classes to prepare students for the GED test, covering all subject areas including Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

• U.S. Citizenship Preparation: Classes and resources designed to help individuals prepare for the U.S. citizenship test and naturalization process.

• Job Training and Career Pathways: Courses that provide specific job readiness and foundational skills for employment, with some leading to state licenses or job interviews. Programs have included Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Low-Pressure Boilers License training.

• Digital Literacy: Provides instruction and assessments through the Northstar Digital Literacy program to help students gain essential computer skills for work and daily life.

• College Readiness: Classes and advising services to help students prepare for post-secondary education.

• Support Services: The center helps address barriers to education by connecting students with resources such as on-site YWCA childcare (cost based on income) and assistance with transportation.

Through these programs, the Hubbs Center acts as a central educational hub in the community, helping adults unlock their potential and integrate into the workforce and community life in St. Paul.

Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota (VSSMN) is a St. Paul-based non-profit organization that has evolved from primarily serving the Vietnamese community to supporting refugees and immigrants from around the world. Founded to address the basic economic, education, and health needs of newcomers, its mission is to help new Americans achieve self-sufficiency while maintaining community identity and promoting healthy, thriving communities. VSSMN serves over 12,000 participants annually, with a focus on low-income families and individuals in the seven-county metro area.

Key Programs and Services

VSSMN provides direct services that support youth, adults, and seniors on their journey as new Americans, responding to the complex and evolving needs of immigrant and refugee communities. Key areas include:

• Adult Basic Education (ABE): Offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at various levels (in-person and online), U.S. Citizenship test preparation, and digital literacy training. These programs are designed to equip adults with the language and computer skills needed for daily life and employment.

• Elder Programs: Dedicated support for immigrants and refugees aged 55 and older, providing one-on-one assistance to access health and social resources, social events, recreational opportunities (like karaoke luncheons), and educational topics such as nutrition, exercise, and financial security. This program aims to combat social isolation.

• Basic Needs and Support Services: Provides essential assistance to low-income families, including navigating government requirements (e.g., ID cards, social security), employment applications, medical appointments, and obtaining housing or financial assistance.

• Youth Services: Includes programs for youth, such as the former Karen Youth Project, designed to help students stay in school and support parents in understanding the U.S. education system.

• Community and Family Events: Hosts cultural and learning events, such as Vietnamese New Year celebrations, vaccination clinics, and food distribution, to promote social interaction and community building.

Through its comprehensive, community-centered approach, VSSMN acts as an agency of first resort, serving as a vital bridge between new arrivals and the broader Minnesota community.