AspireNORTH — a new program of Minnesota North College’s five campuses — shows the exciting changes possible when key institutions intentionally set their sights on coordinated regional impact. Shifting to build systems that work for students – not the other way around – sets our local colleges on a path to offer learning that fits …
It’s hard to get around in rural places without a car. It’s even harder when you’re older. There are some things you just can’t miss or put off, though, if you don’t have a ride. Dialysis, radiation, and surgery to name a few. “Health care is pretty important at our age,” joked Jan Erickson, a …
Homogenous. That pretty much summed up Preeti Yonjon’s impression of her new hometown, Alexandria, when she arrived in 2016. She wondered where the black and brown people were in town. (In a community of a little over 14,000, of whom 94 percent are white, it’s a fair question.) She knows where, now. And she’s working …
Tasha Connelly left Grand Rapids after high school and didn’t think anything would ever bring her back. But after years away living in other states, including Florida and Colorado, the usual things began to chip away at her resolve: family ties, a desire for more community, the lure of less traffic. She eventually returned, but …
Janell Hecimovich is a firefighter at the Trout Lake Fire Department in Bovey, Minn. and an alumna of the Blandin Community Leadership Program. Written by Janell Hecimovich Me? A firefighter? No way. They wouldn’t let a female be a firefighter. You need to be bigger and stronger than I am, to be a firefighter. These …
Colleen Foehrenbacher is the executive director at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro, Minn. Eagle Bluff is an outdoor learning center that connects people with the earth and each other. Each year, their main program brings over 12,000 students for overnight trips involving hands-on learning and adventure experiences in nature. Blandin Foundation has awarded …
Sarah Swedburg is the Planner for the City of Willmar & Coordinator of the Willmar Main Street program in Southwest Minnesota. Willmar Main Street exists to promote downtown Willmar as the foundation of our community. They do this work by cultivating connections, creating unique experiences, and building community. Written by Sarah Swedburg The Willmar community …
Dani Pieratos is one of four Anishinaabeg Ikweg (Indigenous Women) leading a Food Sovernity movement in rural northeast Minnesota under the banner of Harvest Nation. Harvest Nation is a vertical aeroponic farm that makes healthy living a viable option in communities challenged by location, climate, and economic constraint. With access to locally grown foods, Harvest …
In 2010, less than five percent of Red Lake residents responded to the census. Knowing that the funding impacts of a low count would hit hard in their community, the Red Lake Economic Development & Planning (RLEDP) department was tasked with coordinating efforts to get the word out early about Census 2020. Liz White rolled …
Communities are rich with resources. Leaders who put in the work to know their community strengths, create networks of passionate leaders and identify priorities will be better prepared to act during times of uncertainty. As COVID 19 rattled our daily routines, causing many communities to scramble for solutions, leaders across the state who had laid …