Over the past 16 months, our community has faced crises we could only have imagined. COVID-19 and the reckoning with racism sparked by the murder of George Floyd created an opportunity for our community to face the impact of our nation’s history of oppression and systemic exclusion from opportunity, which have contributed to deep racial disparities in our housing, food, education, employment and criminal justice systems — debilitating disparities we seek to dismantle in partnership with you.

While we have a long way to go to achieve true social justice, 2020 marked a transformative year. Changemakers across our region worked together to provide emergency support and stability for over 500,000 people — exemplifying outstanding agility, innovation, equity and transparency every step of the way. Changemakers like you who care about making the Greater Twin Cities — our home — a better place for everyone, regardless of income, race or place.

What we accomplished together in 2020 is nothing short of amazing. On behalf of the entire community, thank you for supporting our mission of uniting changemakers, advocating for social good and developing solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone.

Justice for All

At every point within the justice system, racism and biases perpetuate disparities. For far too long, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and People of Color have been profiled and unfairly treated because of this unjust system. Through our multi-year Justice for All collaboration with the Minneapolis Foundation and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, we are working to bring transformational change to the justice system.

Career Academies: Pathways to Successful Futures

Minnesota continues to face one of the worst opportunity gaps in the nation for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and People of Color. Our Career Academies initiative prepares high school students for zero college debt and in-demand, high-wage careers through real-world experiences and training, helping to close the racial wage gap and fortifying our region’s much-needed talent pool.

Full Lives: Sustainable Food Systems

In the Greater Twin Cities, some neighborhoods lack access to healthy, affordable food. The effects of these food injustices extend beyond households to a community’s educational, economic and health outcomes. By investing in proven initiatives like Full Lives that address hunger on a neighborhood level, we can get to the heart of the challenges and transform outcomes alongside whole communities.

80×3: Resilient from the Start

Children experiencing poverty are more likely to experience adverse events that can manifest as trauma, altering brain development and creating lifelong harm. This is an issue that impacts Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and People of Color at four times the rate of white people. With 80 percent of brain development occurring by age 3, our 80×3 initiative aims to break the cycle of poverty and ensure all children have a thriving start.

211: Hope Starts Here

Through our free 211 resource helpline, we act as a bridge, providing confidential information and referrals to statewide resources and services to ensure people have their basic needs met at any time, day or night.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Moving from Pain to Possibilities

COVID-19 compounded the challenges that vulnerable communities had already been facing, and with that comes increased mental health challenges. Based on the efficacy of our 211 resource helpline infrastructure, United Way began offering suicide prevention support and mental health crisis intervention as a Minnesota-based partner in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Housing

Homelessness grew nine percent in the Twin Cities metro area from 2015 to 2018. And as COVID-19 took hold in our community, 211 data revealed a 286 percent increase in housing needs and brought renewed attention to homelessness in our region. We support stable housing for all as it is the foundation that enables us to thrive.

Food Security

One in nine Minnesotans — including one in six children — face hunger. Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and People of Color, especially children and seniors, are disproportionately affected. In 2020, calls to our 211 resource helpline showed a 1,283 percent increase year-over-year for emergency food programs. We help ensure people have access to high-quality, culturally relevant food and hunger relief programs.

Early Childhood Education

35,000 children in Minnesota are unable to access quality early childhood care and education, which can have lasting effects on their ability to grow, develop and thrive. Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Children of Color are disproportionally affected. We support access to culturally relevant, high-quality early childhood care and education from prenatal to age five through early childhood education initiatives.

Career & Future Readiness

Minnesota’s academic opportunity gap between Students of Color and white students is the worst in the nation, and COVID-19 is exacerbating the issue. We support social and emotional learning for students in grades 6 through 12 and increase access to career pathway programs so youth have the knowledge, skills and relationships to choose and direct their own futures and contribute to their communities.

Economic Opportunity

Minnesota is diversifying quickly, and growth in our workforce will come from Communities of Color. Yet, these communities historically have been excluded from the job market or underestimated in their abilities. To ensure all adults have stable jobs to support themselves and build wealth, we leverage resources for those seeking employment and financial security and bring together community members to share and learn from one another.