COMMUNITY-UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

For 20 years, Bethel University has supported the Frogtown Summit-University Partnership, whose mission is to build intentional, long-term relationships in the two neighborhoods. The FSU Partnership takes the form of student internships at non-profits serving the two neighborhoods; participation in community events; and direct involvement from whole classes at the university in projects. This special section was funded by the Bethel FSU Partnership and organized by professor Yu-li Chang Zacher.

Collaboration with Bethel University's fall 2020 community journalism class

Bethel University's Fall 2020 Community Journalism student writers included Chloe Peters, Emma Eidsvoog, Emma Harville, Jhenna Becker, Logan Murphy, Makenna Cook, Molly Korzenowski, and Savannah Romero.

Open Cities Health Center provides free care

Summer Johnson, OCHC staff

A woman came into Open Cities Health Center (OCHC), 409 N Dunlap St., St. Paul, crying. She had just lost her job and didn’t know how she’d pay for the insulin she needed. Without …

Hubbs Center offers free job training for English language learners

Students and their teacher in a College Readiness class at the Hubbs Center in 2018, which prepares students for college level work in reading and writing. (Photo submitted)

When Talita Silva left her small town in Brazil to work as an au pair in St. Paul last December, she dreamt of using her two-year visa to travel the U.S. and improve her English in order to one day …

HEALING

Eleven young activists connect on Zoom with Irreducible Grace Foundation (IGF) team members every other Sunday afternoon. These student activists listen as the IGF team members talk about how to …

Together

Community members gather to share a meal. UFGA works to bring together the community divided by Interstate 94. (Photo submitted)

As the school season ends, Megan Phinney, coordinator of the Children’s Gardening Program at Urban Farm and Garden Alliance (UFGA), gets ready for new and returning children to flood the …

Ain Dah Yung Center bridges gap for young adults transitioning to stable life

On University Avenue in St. Paul, yellow, green and red paint covers the walls of a new housing unit for homeless teens and young adults to transition into living independently. The Mino Oski Ain Dah …

Keystone brings food to community through foodmobile program

The two Foodmobiles make multiple stops in St. Paul each week, offering food choices. Find the schedule at keystoneservices.org. (Photo by Logan Murphy)

For some people in need, going to a traditional food shelf brings feelings of anxiety and shame. About seven years ago, Minneapolis-based nonprofit Keystone Community Services had an idea to change …

Coaches walk alongside youth to keep them out of prison

Youth in Model Cities created art on the side of the Victoria Theater Arts Center after the murder of George Floyd. | Submitted Photos by Crystal Vital-Schwartz

Bryale Winters, joined by his colleague, Crystal Vital-Schwartz, knocked on the door of a 16-year-old youth’s house for their initial meeting. As the youth’s community coach, …

Canine Inspired Change hopes to bring healing through three deep dog breaths

Kids learn patience, love and kindness through working and playing alongside dogs to boost self-esteem, emotional awareness, frustration tolerance and treating other people with respect. (Photo courtesy of Canine Inspired Change)

Seven-year-old Danielle Graczyk sat on the kitchen floor of her one-level house, curled up into her dog, Sally. The blankets wrapped around her comforted the two to sleep. Sally had been brought to …

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What it takes to make a partnership

Lizzy Carson, Bethel University sophomore nursing major and reconciliation minor, was recently named a 2020 Newman Civic Fellow for her community engagement on Bethel’s campus and in the …