Neighborhood & Community Relations

Room 110, Public Service Center
250 South 4th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
ncr@minneapolismn.gov
(612) 673-3737

NCR Staff Contact List (pdf)

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Community Engagement

Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission

Community Calendar

Keep up events and happenings in your community and the City of Minneapolis. View the Community Calendar. Upcoming events include:

 

List of Workshops by Track

Combined Workshop Evaluations (pdf)

Inclusive Engagement Practices

The Way Forward: Equity-Driven Models of Governance

Multi-Disciplinary Approaches to Engagement

Tools for Enviromental Sustainability

Workshop Descriptions by Time

Morning Session 1 (9:45-10:45)

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Developing a Collective Efficacy Model: The Value of the 4 Cs
Description: Downtown Court Watch discusses organizing strategies, utilizing the value of the 4 C’s – Communication, Coordination, Cooperation, and ultimately – Collaboration, to develop a Collective Efficacy approach. They have used this approach to create a community “Safety Net”. This win-win, holistic approach not only addresses issues of safety and violence that can devastate communities ,but also builds innovative approaches to address the underlying circumstances that create safety concerns, such as homelessness, gangs, youth violence, employment and health services. The Downtown Court Watch Model will be presented.

Objectives:

  • Building a group process into implementation through community-building projects
  • Enhancing Safety with a holistic approach.
  • Using prevention, intervention, community policing, law enforcement, community events and projects, and re-entry initiatives in community building.

Presenters:

Jana Metge, Citizens for a Loring Park Community (http://loringpark.org/)
Gail Baez, Hennepin County Attorney, Community Prosecution Division

VOICE (Valuing Our Individual Cultures through Engagement): Engaging Underrepresented Communities to Promote Sustainable Health Programming
Description: The health of our families and individuals has a significant impact on our communities. Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support (MDFHS) is utilizing a community engagement strategy that values community assets and promotes shared leadership in public health planning and project development. VOICE (Valuing Our Individual Cultures through Engagement) explores the meaning of wellness through story based community dialogues. The health model approach sparks mutual learning about how cultural norms, family systems, and community affect the health of Minneapolis’ communities of color.

Objectives:

  • Gain practical skills and tools for community engagement;
  • Gain understanding of how to manage a community based approach to learning with project planning and development; and
  • Develop and collect best practices for better engagement and collaboration with City departments.

Presenters:

Maria Sarabia, City of Minneapolis Health and Family Support ( http://www.minneapolismn.gov/health/)


One Neighborhood: Infusing equity into neighborhood organizations outreach, governance, and planning activities
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: Promote increased, sustained and more representative participation in neighborhood organizations by strengthening neighborhood organizations’ capacity to network and build relationships and allies with cultural communities with the support and expertise that NCR brings to the table. Participants will help to formulate the next program which we hope will be designed to build the long-term capacity of neighborhoods to make them sustainable.

Objectives:

  • Contribute to the formation of a new City program that will benefit both neighborhood organizations as well as community and cultural groups;
  • Build neighborhoods that are more inclusive, democratic and vibrant where everyone feels they have a role to play; and
  • An RFP process initiated and driven by neighborhood organizations to address specific challenges or opportunities.

Presenters:

Ahmed Muhumud, City of Minneapolis, NCR - Access and Outreach Manager
Lance Knuckles, City of Minneapolis, NCR - Neighborhood Specialist
Presentation (PDF)

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Hawthorne Eco-Village: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Local Solutions
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: In 2007, the four-way stop at the center of the EcoVillage was so filled with crime and blight that residents weren’t safe coming to a full stop. Innovative partnerships came from a three-pronged approach between the community, city, and developers. Members from the Minneapolis Police and Fire Departments, Regulatory Services, CPED, the Northside Home Fund, Project for Pride in Living, Hawthorne Area Community Council as well as many others worked to turn around crime trends in the area within a year and a half. Workshop participants will learn what specific steps were taken to achieve these results, what systems Minneapolis neighborhoods and the city have in place to spur positive change, and what can be duplicated in other communities.

Objectives:

  • Site control/property acquisition as a key component to community organizing and neighborhood development.
  • Create momentum through temporary land use while housing development comes in.
  • Making it personal - community meetings with residents and city staffers as a way to jumpstart progress.

Presenters:

Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Area Community Council (http://www.hawthornecommunitycouncil.org/)
Jill Kiener, Northside Home Fund ( http://www.northsidehomefund.org )
Abbie Loosen, PPL (http://www.ppl-inc.org/)

Morning Session 2 (11:00-12:00)

One Minneapolis: Addressing the Employment Gap
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: Minneapolis has long been committed to eliminating socio-economic disparities in our city. The health of our city – and our region – depends on the ability to ensure that every person ready and willing to do so, is able to thrive. In December of 2011, the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department hosted an event themed One Minneapolis: A Call to Action! that focused on several areas of disparity with the purpose of shining light on the data, identifying best practices and proposing new solutions. This workshop will provide follow-up information from the December conference, as well as discuss the city’s 2012 activity to make our city a more equitable employment environment.

Presenters:

Velma Korbel, Director, Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights
Michael K.Browne, Director, Employment Equity - Minneapolis

Neighborhood Organizing for Racial Justice and Equity
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: The Harrison Neighborhood Association has been, and continues to be, transformed by an Undoing Racism process started nearly 8 years ago. The workshop will cover community history, strategies/resources used, experiences of community leaders and staff, and examples of concrete organizing campaigns used in the neighborhood to advance racial and economic equity.

Objectives:

  • Learn from other community leaders the challenges and successes of addressing racism within and outside the community;

  • Gain an understanding of resources available to support anti-racism work in neighborhood groups; and

  • Learn that racial and economic equity is every neighborhood’s concern.

Presenters:

Larry Hiscock, Harrison Neighborhood Association (HNA) - http://hnampls.org/
Maren McDonell, HNA Board President
Pam McClain, HNA Board Member
Kari Anderson, HNA Board Member
Malik Holt-Shabazz, HNA Community Organizer

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Resilient Neighborhoods: A Place-based Inclusive Approach
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: Citizen co-authorship of neighborhoods presents effective, low-cost organizing tools and untapped potential for improving livability at the property, block, neighborhood, and redevelopment scale, and proceeds from ancient planning precedent where citizen action fostered robust "life between buildings" with strong economic and social outcomes. The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization will also share its recent work exploring place-based methods to engage immigrants and ensure that all residents have opportunities to share in the life and leadership of the community.

Objectives:

  • Invite your constituents to "start seeing public space" symptoms that cause crime or concern and look further to identify root causes and low-cost solutions.

  • Learn how to organize various place-based urban repair projects (e.g. public art, graffiti prevention), and how to spark or support a Transition Town initiative.

  • Learn how to organize an inclusive neighborhood where everyone can share in the life and leadership of the community.

Presenters:

Amy Arcand, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization
Eric Gustafson, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization
http://www.corcoranneighborhood.org/

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A workshop brought to you by the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities
Description: Workshop to focus on building awareness of ADA issues, provide technical support to neighborhood orgs to meet ADA compliance, and to help neighborhoods move beyond just compliance into greater inclusion. This workshop will include a discussion designed to help increase awareness of existing laws and educate neighborhood and community leaders the importance of accessibility and inclusion in their work.

Afternoon Session 1 (1:45-2:45)

Partnerships that Work: When Cultural Communities and Government Collaborate - The Urban American Indian Strategy
Description: To battle disparities in the American Indian community the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors group has entered into two very distinct, historical and innovative agreements with the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Public Schools. The Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Minneapolis promotes a sense of urgency and promise to develop reciprocal paths of participation and success. It establishes a working partnership of dialogue, action and measurable results in areas such as housing, health, economic development & employment, family wellbeing and public safety. The Memorandum of Agreement with Minneapolis Public Schools recognizes shared responsibility for Indian Education and the need for joint commitment to overcome a legacy of educational failure.

Objectives:

  • Provide structure to productive relationships between cultural communities and government entities;

  • Having an agreed understanding for mutual responsibility; and

  • Identifying goals and objectives to be worked on by both parties.

Presenters:

Noya Woodrich, Executive Director, Division of Indian Work (http://diw.gmcc.org/)
Danielle Grant, Director of Indian Education, Minneapolis Public Schools (http://indianed.mpls.k12.mn.us/)
Louise Matson, Program Director, Division of Indian Work
Elaine Salinas, President, MIGIZI Communications ( http://www.migizi.org/default/index.cfm )
Joe Rice, Executive Director, NA-WAY-EE Center School (http://www.centerschool.org/default.html)

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Social Justice for All: How Neighborhoods Can Approach Human Rights
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: Incorporating the human rights standards of s afety and security, non-discrimination, accountability, and participation into the work of community and neighborhood organizations. A human rights approach helps engage diverse communities in identifying issues as human rights violations and creating systemic change that promotes the dignity of all persons.

Objectives:

  • Identify Human Rights Principles;

  • Understand Human Rights Strategies; and

  • Apply a Human Rights Approach.

Presenters:

Michele Garnett McKenzie, Director of Advocacy, The Advocates for Human Rights
Chanida Phaengdara Potter, Advocacy Assistant, The Advocates for Human Rights
www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org

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NCR Exposed! the Future of Neighborhood Programs
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: Neighborhood and Community Relations staff will be on hand to let you know about the programs and services of the Department. What is the future of NRP and the Community Participation Program? How do Neighborhood Priority Plans work, and how are they fundamentally different from NRP action plans? What will be happening with Directors and Officers insurance, audits, and preparations of 990s? What other important functions does the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department serve, and how can these benefit neighborhood organizations?

Objectives:

  • Learn more about the work and roles of the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department;

  • Learn about the current status of NRP and the Community Participation Program; and

  • Learn essentials about neighborhood priority plans and how they relate to NRP action plans.

Presenters:

Robert Thompson, Neighborhood Specialist, City of Minneapolis - Neighborhood and Community Relations

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Neighborhood Show and Tell: Success Stories From Sustainable Neighborhoods
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: Minneapolis neighborhoods are initiating projects that contribute greatly to our city’s reputation as one of the most environmentally progressive in the nation. Come hear stories of how neighborhood leaders have organized their neighbors, secured grants and have executed cutting edge projects to reduce waste and energy use, clean up our lakes, and many others. This workshop will help you to identify good ideas for environmental projects in your neighborhood.

Objectives:

  • How to organize neighbors to get project buy-in and enthusiastic volunteers;

  • How to work with City staff to vet a project for viability; and

  • How to identify and secure financial and other resources for your project.

Presenters:

Marty Broan, Chair of Minneapolis Neighborhood Environmental Network, Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee

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Afternoon Session 2 (3:00-4:00)

The Community Engagement Team: Targeted Strategies to Engage Underrepresented Communities
Description: While the Twin Cities region benefits from a number of social and economic assets, we continue to be unable to translate these benefits to everyone, specifically our communities of color. Despite our reputation for overachieving, the Twin Cities continues to be at the top of less than desirable lists, those that reveal significant racial disparities in education, health outcomes, poverty levels and joblessness. Community is at the core of every effort to revitalize neighborhoods, enhance the quality of life, and attain equity. No matter what issue you are working on —affordable housing, healthy food access, job creation, transportation, or education—the key element must be authentic, effective leadership and involvement by the people who have been denied these services, overlooked, or left behind.

The good news is that our region is increasingly owning up to these issues. As of late, new resources have entered the Twin Cities focused on building a more connected, equitable and prosperous region.

One example is the Twin Cities HUD Sustainable Communities Initiative, an effort led by the Metropolitan Council to support regional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in regional transitway planning.

As part of this initiative, a Community Engagement Team was formed to identify, develop and support targeted strategies that engage underrepresented communities, partners and neighborhoods in planning, decision-making and implementation processes on and around transit-oriented corridors.

Objectives:

  • Explore the work of 3 organizations each taking a unique approach to achieving equity in our region through their support of locally rooted community engagement strategies.

  • Explore innovations in meaningful community engagement, and tackle the difficult issues it raises, including power dynamics, movement building, and demographic and generational change.

  • Learn about a unique funding opportunity to elevate community outreach, engagement and equitable development along Minneapolis Transitways.

Presenters:

Margaret Kaplan, operations director, Minnesota Center for Neighborhood Organizing
Russ Adams, executive director, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability
Repa Mekha, president/CEO, Nexus Community Partners

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Digital Neighborhoods: Building Equity Through Technology
(Closed - at capacity)
Description: The digital divide –disparities in access to technology and information – still exists. Income often affects the ability of individuals and families to access information which can ultimately limit the resources available to them. Learn about Minneapolis community technology resources and needs and brainstorm on techniques for digital inclusion to close the gaps.. Engage in a “world café” style discussion to help determine what the digital priorities are in your community.

Objectives:

  • How to reach residents not participating in our digital society;

  • How can neighborhoods leverage the Internet; and

  • How to achieve diverse community engagement through technology.

Presenters:

Otto Doll, Chief Information Officer, City of Minneapolis, (Information Technology)
Corrine Bruning, E-Democracy (www.E-Democracy.org)

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The Power of Zero: How to Reduce Waste at Your Event for 10 or 10,000
Description: Having hosted the very first Zero Waste Neighborhood Festival in 2007 this team from Linden Hills Power and Light has the tools to help you host your own Zero Waste event. Since 2007 this group has helped make these events Zero Waste: YWCA Triathlon, Monster Dash, Lynnhurst Festival, Linden Hills Festival, Fulton Festival, Woofstock, Linden Hills Live, Keith Ellison's Labor Day BBQ, National Night Out, Resource Center of the Americas Anniversary Gala, Holiday parties, fundraisers, dinner parties, birthdays, retirement picnics, and more!

Objectives:

  • Create a window box showing what can and can’t be recycled or composted;

  • Learn ways to reduce waste at your events; and

  • Find out which departments and people in the City are resources for a Zero Waste event.

Presenters:

Felicity Britton, Linden Hills Power and Light
Keiko Veasey, Linden Hills Power and Light
http://www.lhpowerandlight.org/

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Overcoming Crime: Transforming the Physical Design and Character of Peavey Park
Description: In order to address decades long underuse by residents and chronic over-use by criminal elements, Ventura Village has begun a long-term process to redevelop and repurpose Peavey Park. This workshop will demonstrate how the leadership has begun to develop its strategies for this transformation. Presenters will highlight approaches for developing community parks partnerships under the leadership of Professor Ignacio San Martin the MDC findings and publication was submitted to Ventura Village leaders for wider discussion and the beginnings of developing the means of implementing this broad vision of a new Peavey Park.

Objectives:

  • Understanding the Phenomena of Crime in Public Parks

  • On the Anatomy of Public Parks: Design Principles

  • Claiming the Site: Bringing the Background into the Foreground

Presenters:

Mary Watson, Moderator
Cecil Smith, Ventura Village Panelist
http://venturavillage.org/

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Objectives:

Last updated Apr. 5, 2012