For rural communities, Veterans Day is an up close and personal day of remembrance. Many of us count family, friends and neighbors among those who have served our country in times of war and peace, and are serving today. Minnesota author and veteran Diana Oestreich asks that this Veteran’s Day we go deeper than simply …
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 …
As we’ve mentioned before, rural Minnesota has a lot at stake in the 2020 Census. As a leader in community, you can – and should! – take action now to boost your community’s participation in the 2020 census. Here’s how: Check your community’s anticipated response rates – The U.S. Census Bureau posts a map showing …
Mild-mannered, courteous and reserved. Minnesotans are famously known for their “Minnesota nice,” passive aggressive personalities. But restraint only goes so far, according to data from the Rural Pulse that found a whopping 82 percent of rural Minnesotans say people in their community are able to stand up to hatred and discrimination when they see it …
Deer River Implements Full Service Community Schools Model to Improve Student Outcomes Up to two-thirds of a student’s ability to succeed in school is determined by what happens out of school. A child who is hungry or cold, in pain due to untreated medical needs, or exposed to traumatic stresses can have trouble with memory, …
MacRostie’s traveling exhibit “What’s Left: Lives Touched by Suicide” is a perfect example The art exhibit “What’s Left; Lives Touched by Suicide” was created to open a more honest conversation about mental illness and suicide. For over two years, it has done just that, crisscrossing the state, forcing people to talk about, and truly “see” …
As new populations move into rural communities across Minnesota, local leaders are met with new opportunities, challenges, and, above all, hope for stronger communities. To share these stories, Blandin Foundation awarded a grant to MinnPost, along with many other funders, to extend their New American coverage outside of the metro area. Here’s a bit about …
For Mac McKinney’s son, there hadn’t been a program yet that had totally clicked. He had been working on his own with a therapist to help with his emotional and behavioral struggles, but had never engaged in group therapy. That was until Healing Foundations Therapeutic Farm opened its barn doors. “It’s a different approach to …
On a recent afternoon, about 65 people from reservation communities in northeast Minnesota came together to celebrate the commencement of the 25th cohort to complete the Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program. In recognition of this milestone number, a drum was invited to join the celebration and honor the graduates. BRCLP is more than just a …