2008 Recipients
Project GEM
Project GEM, which stands for Growth, Experience and Motivation, is a local south central arts education nonprofit organization. Their mission is to provide arts based cultural, environmental, holistic and social educational opportunities to at-risk and special needs youth and young adults. The Finnegans Community Fund grant supports the Creative After Thoughts, or CAT program, in purchasing art supplies for this free program.
New Pathways
New Pathways is a non-profit agency that serves at-risk families with children from Central Minnesota through their transitional shelter. They help families learn and develop the skills necessary to secure and maintain appropriate housing. The Finnegans Community Fund grant helps to support the Brainerd Day Center’s ability to purchase personal care items and clothing for families in need.
Youth Express
Youth Express is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide you with an outlet to build positive relationships and participate in opportunities that improve their lives, “Potential Meets Opportunity.” The Finnegans Community Fund grant supports their internship program within their social venture, Express Bike Shop.
Pillsbury United Communities
Pillsbury United Communities is a non-profit organization working to create choice, change and connection for people from all walks of life through their neighborhood centers and professional live theatre. The Finnegans Community Fund grant supports the Full Cycle program, which is a fully operational bicycle repair and maintenance service for the neighborhood’s low-income residents at reasonable prices; homeless and street dependent youth are paid a stipend after completing the bike mechanics course.
Person to Person
Person to Person is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “break the cycle of poverty, one neighbor at a time” by supporting the efforts the efforts of low-income neighbors as they strive to achieve self-sufficiency. The Finnegans Community Fund grant supports the Independent Living Skills Program, which helps stabilize low-income families during critical times by providing occupational therapy based evaluation, intervention, workshops and individual coaching.
St Paul Area Council of Churches
The Saint Paul Area Council of Churches, or SPACC, is a non-profit organization composed of 700 member congregations from the East Metropolitan area; their goal is to connect civic organizations and faith communities to overcome poverty, promote peace and dismantle racism and other barriers that divide our community. The Finnegans Community fund grant supports the American Indian Parenting program, which helps build parenting skills and educate parents on growth, development and academic readiness for their children.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, or LSS, is a statewide, non-profit social service organization that services children, families, seniors and people with disabilities in 300 communities. The Finnegans Community fund grant supports the Parent Tap Line, which provides free, confidential 24 hour support for area families resulting in a much-needed bridge between services as well as a base for families in crisis.
Dakota Woodlands
Dakota Woodlands is a non-profit organization that is the only shelter specifically for families who are homeless in their community, providing them with education and supportive services to help them successfully obtain and maintain permanent housing. The Finnegans Community Fund supports the after-school activities for children and their families.
Three Rivers Community Action
The Three Rivers Community Action is a non-profit human service organization that supports Head Start Centers in Zumbrota, Wabasha, Red Wing, Northfield and Faribault. The Finnegans Community Fund grant supports the variety of classroom needs and resources for family involvement including Spanish language backpacks, which are filled with literacy activities for children to work on with their parents.