We stayed afloat!

We should be back in our offices by the time you get this! We stayed dry by working in remote locations and NorthWay’s work continued despite the difficult conditions. If you need to reach us, please email or call 612-521-4500,

• Wesley Walker, Executive Director, x101
• Lance Marcus Knuckles, Outreach Program Manager, x102 or 612-239-2960
• Allan Malkis, Research & Evaluation Program Manager, x103 or 952-220-0293
• Loreda Berry, Administrative Assistant, x100

Northside Marketing Task Force is in need of a few good people...

The Northside Marketing Task Force (NMTF) is recruiting volunteers to assist Northside home owners whose homes will be featured in the April 26-27 Minneapolis-Saint Paul Home Tour. This is a great opportunity to spread the word about North Minneapolis' great communities. Anyone interested in volunteering for several hours that weekend should contact Allan Malkis.

On a larger effort, NMTF is seeking an experienced marketing firm to plan and implement a campaign to change the image of North Minneapolis. Using materials developed with community input last summer, this campaign will promote the beauties and assets of North Minneapolis. A copy of the RFP will be available from Allan Malkis or Jerry Moore.

North Minneapolis Early Care and Education Project Update

The North Minneapolis Early Care and Education Project has hired Paulie Salazar as its new staff person. Ms. Salazar has experience working with Family Friend and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers and has been involved in early care and education. She is also a former board member and station manager at KMOJ and is very familiar with the Northside. She is establishing contacts with agencies and individuals connected to FFN care providers and will be meeting with FFN providers for the next several months to gather information for an upcoming report.

Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition to address home mortgage issues

The Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition hosted a community meeting March 18 in conjunction with Minneapolis Urban League-MN Pipeline. More than 25 residents attended the meeting to introduce the coalition and its vision and mission for financial justice for North Minneapolis. Key strategies for the coalition were discussed: The Development of the Community Leadership Team; Foreclosure Legislation; Foreclosure Community Outreach Blitz; and Addressing Financial Institutions. There is a working group developed for each strategy area of the coalition; that will be comprised of organization leaders and grassroots community leaders.

The community shared thoughts and perspectives as to how the coalition can move forward with the support and leadership from grassroots leadership in North Minneapolis. Member organizations include Harrison Neighborhood Association, Northside Residents Redevelopment Council, Jordan Area Community Council, Hawthorne Area Community Council, Minneapolis Urban League, MN Acorn, MN State Baptist Convention, NorthWay Community Trust, Lao Assistance Center of MN and Jewish Community Action. Next steps for the coalition is to build the capacity of the coalition through grassroots leadership development. For more information about the coalition and/or working with one of the strategy groups, contact Lance Knuckles.

Get financially fit!

Women Venture, in partnership with NorthWay Community Trust, is bringing Financial Literacy Services to North Minneapolis. FREE classes (held on Wednesdays, starting on May 7) will help you become empowered and in control of your money. You’ll learn how to:

• Reduce debt
• Open a checking account
• Create savings
• Budget
• Increase your credit rating

For more information, call Shawna Thompson at WomenVenture, 651-646-3808.