"You shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in." (Isaiah 58:12)

Local Issues

Crisis Nursery: Last summer, the South Minneapolis branch of the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, in St. Joan of Arc’s own back yard, was closed due to lack of funding. The Crisis Nursery Grant Program bill (HF 601/SF534) was introduced in this legislative session. It appropriates $1,100,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $1,100,000 in fiscal year 2009 to establish a grant program to assist private and public agencies and organizations to provide crisis nurseries that offer services and temporary care to families experiencing crisis situations including children who are at high risk of abuse and neglect, children who have been abused and neglected, and children who are in families receiving child protective services.

Learn more about the great need for the approximately 15 crisis nurseries that currently operate in Minnesota by visiting the website of Crisis Nurseries of Minnesota, Inc. at www.crisisnursery.com or visit the website of the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, at www.crisisnursery.org/index.htm.

Twins Stadium Community Benefits Agreement: The Twins Ballpark is one of the largest public investment projects in recent times. The money invested in the ballpark (including $350 million in new Hennepin Co. sales tax) represents a tremendous opportunity to address economic disparities.

In ISAIAH, we believe public decisions should represent our values: shared abundance, community and hope for the future. In the case of the ballpark, a public decision to make sure that individuals and communities have new opportunities would help “level the playing field”, decreasing disparities and representing our values in action.

Because much of the ballpark money is public money, our County Commissioners have a say in the development of the ballpark and will sign two of the three final agreements. (The MN Ballpark Authority and the MN Twins are the other signers). Our goal is for County Commissioners to pass a resolution that these agreements will (1) set high goals for employment of women, minorities, and low-income community members; (2) create a delivery system to bring new people into the construction business; and (3) provide opportunities for small businesses and minority contractors. This is not an unusual consideration, HOWEVER, we believe our commissioners should set high standards! Existing programs in N. Minneapolis are working on training programs that will have new folks ready for work when the construction starts! (Note: right now we are focused on construction employment, not jobs in the stadium after construction.)

Community Benefits Agreement – Bassett Creek Valley Project: The Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) formation for the Bassett Creek Valley project is moving forward. They have visited with many Minneapolis City council members and have more visits planned. The CBA would ensure hiring of minorities and jobs training for a $1 billion redevelopment project in the Harrison neighborhood of Minneapolis. Harrison is in North Minneapolis, bounded by Olson Memorial Highway on the north, Bassett’s Creek on the south, Lyndale Avenue to the east and Theodore Wirth Park to the west.