Olmsted County and the state of Minnesota report significant disparities in financial stability and educational attainment between white residents and residents who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Both nationally and locally, the ongoing health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis are falling disproportionately on Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, as well as immigrant and refugee communities. Experts warn that the pandemic has widened existing disparities, and intentional efforts are necessary to support those most impacted, improve health equity, and rebuild a more resilient and just Olmsted County.
That's why we're committing to Build Back Better, a phrase used in disaster recovery that emphasizes equity and puts communities at the center. Build Back Better means that we're doubling down in our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Olmsted County.
At the heart of this work is our Culturally Powered Communities program, a transformational capacity building program that strengthens Olmsted County's diverse cultural communities by supporting the organizations that serve them. Learn more about our Culturally Powered Communities program here.
Culturally Powered Communities is made possible through a collaboration between United Way of Olmsted County and Mayo Clinic. Our work is powered in partnership with Otto Bremer Trust, with the support of other local partners
To learn more about our Build Back Better strategy, read our supporting research, and check out our other Build Back Better investments below.
Meadow Park Initiative is an effort to build knowledge, skills, connections, partnerships, and leaders among diverse residents in the Meadow Park neighborhood in southeast Rochester to collectively take action to advance their health and vibrancy. This intercultural neighborhood initiative creates community connectedness, fosters relationships, and reduces barriers through culturally appropriate activities and resident-driven efforts. It brings Somali, Latino, African American, Asian, and white residents together to work on shared aspirations, with the long-term goal of improving the overall quality of life in the neighborhood. Learn more about Meadow Park Initiative.
United Way of Olmsted County’s Build Back Better COVID-19 Recovery Fund was designed to strengthen communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis by supporting the organizations that serve them. Culturally specific organizations--those nonprofits that serve and are led by people from Olmsted County's diverse cultural communities--play a vital role in communities' wellbeing. They are ideally situated to understand the cultural norms, beliefs, and traditions of the people they serve; effectively engage community members; interpret and remove barriers that impede access to services; and bridge norms between communities and institutions.
Partners: Barbershop and Social Services, Hope Fuse, Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA), Journie, Somali American Social Service Association, Somali Community Resettlement Services, and Sports Mentorship Academy
Read the Post Bulletin News article on the Build Back Better COVID-19 Recovery Fund.
Distance Learning Support grants are a collaboration between United Way of Olmsted County as the funding partner and Cradle 2 Career as the implementation partner. As schools around the country start the academic year, it became clear that the pandemic would amplify educational disparities. That's why we are supporting programs that provide high-quality distance learning support for K-12 students from low-income families, BIPOC students, and students with disabilities.
Partners: Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, Next Chapter Ministries, Somali American Social Services Association, Sports Mentorship Academy, Spark!
View the KIMT3 News feature on Build Back Better Distance Learning Support.
View the KTTC News feature on Build Back Better Distance Learning Grantees.
Read the complete BBB Distance Learning Support Awards press release here.