Elizabeth Brisbin

Empower Your Health: Chronic Disease Management Classes for Older Adults

Living with a chronic condition—or concerned about your risk? If you’re 60 or older, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to face it alone, either.

Our Chronic Disease Management Classes are designed to help you take back control. Led by compassionate Community Health Workers, these classes offer personalized support to manage your condition and maintain a healthy, independent lifestyle. Whether you’re dealing with diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, or simply want to make proactive changes, we’re here to help you feel your best.

You’ll learn how small, sustainable lifestyle shifts can lead to big improvements in your health and well-being.

Interested or have questions?
📧 jacaraw@pillsburyunited.org
📞 (612) 453-5186

Take the first step today—your health is worth it.

Elizabeth Brisbin

Empowering Our Community: Join the Community Orientation Workshops by IIMN

Spanish Waite House Community Workshops

Adjusting to life in a new country can be both exciting and challenging. To support immigrants and refugees in their journey toward integration and success, the International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN) offers the Community Orientation Workshops (COW). These free classes are designed to provide essential knowledge and skills to help individuals navigate life in Minnesota.

International Institute of Minnesota 11 week Community Orientation Workshop

Where: PUC Waite House Conference Room | 2323 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55404

When: May 8th – July 17th, every Thursday from 2:00 -4:00 pm

What Are Community Orientation Workshops?

The Community Orientation Workshops are a series of classes that cover a wide range of topics relevant to newcomers. Each week focuses on a different subject, allowing participants to join at any time and repeat classes as needed.

Topics Covered Include:

  1. Community Navigation – Understanding local systems and services.

  2. Family Adjustment – Adapting to new cultural norms and family dynamics.

  3. Safety Awareness – Learning about personal and community safety.

  4. Health Literacy – Accessing healthcare services and understanding health information.

  5. Housing Literacy – Navigating housing options and tenant rights.

  6. Financial Literacy – Managing personal finances and budgeting.

  7. Educational Readiness – Preparing for academic success in the U.S. education system.

  8. Job Readiness – Building skills for employment and workplace expectations.

  9. Progress Towards Citizenship – Understanding the path to U.S. citizenship.

  10. Assistance Resources – Identifying community resources and support services.

  11. Community Bridges – Building connections within the local community

These classes are specifically designed for adults with humanitarian protection immigrant status who have been living in the United States for five years or less. This includes individuals with refugee, asylee, certified victim of human trafficking, special immigrant visa, Amerasian, or Cuban/Haitian entrant status. All classes are free of charge.

Additional Support and Resources

Beyond the Community Orientation Workshops, IIMN offers a variety of other classes and programs to support the immigrant and refugee community:

  • Housekeeping Training: Learn skills for the hospitality and cleaning industry, with job placement assistance.

  • English Classes: Improve reading, writing, and speaking English at beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels.

  • Dietary Aide Training: Gain knowledge in food safety, nutrition, and communication skills, with job support.

  • Professional Leadership Training: Develop leadership skills for career advancement.

  • Entrepreneurship Class: Create a business plan with guidance from experts.

  • College Readiness Academy: Prepare for higher education with support and resources.International Institute of MinnesotaInternational Institute of Minnesota

For more information or to register for classes, please visit the IIMN website or contact Kaija Bergen, Instructor and Program Support, at (651) 377-8100 or via email.International Institute of Minnesota

At IIMN, we are committed to empowering immigrants and refugees to thrive in Minnesota. Through education, support, and community engagement, we help individuals build a foundation for success and integration.

Spanish Waite House Community Workshops

Elizabeth Brisbin

Gratitude in Action: Thank You to Seward Co-op for Supporting Our Mission

Seward Co-OP March SEED Recipient

We are deeply honored and grateful to Seward Community Co-op for selecting us as a SEED recipient for the month of March. This generous support is more than just a donation—it’s a powerful investment in the work we do and the community we serve.

Through the SEED program, shoppers at Seward Co-op round up their purchases at the register, directing 100% of those donations to local organizations like ours. Thanks to the compassion and generosity of Co-op customers, we received critical funding that will help us expand our impact and reach more individuals and families with the services they need.

Being chosen as a SEED recipient not only provided us with essential financial support—it also connected us with a community of values-driven neighbors who believe in justice, equity, sustainability, and mutual care. That connection is just as meaningful as the dollars raised.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Seward Co-op for their ongoing commitment to community well-being, and to every shopper who rounded up at the register in March. Your small acts of generosity add up to big changes.

Together, we are growing a stronger, healthier, and more resilient community. Thank you for being part of that journey with us.

With gratitude,

Pillsbury United Communities

Elizabeth Brisbin

Join us for Women’s Night Out May 3rd

Women's Night Out

Our Annual Women’s Night Out celebrating women’s resiliency in recovering from domestic violence is scheduled for May 3rd!

Please join us for a night of celebration! This year we will be focusing on building solidarity and peace.

When: May, 3, 2025 from 6:00 pm. to 8:00pm

Where: Pillsbury United Communities Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center, 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454

What: Celebration with tea, coffee, and food! Traditional dancing, and event partners to attend and share services.

For details or information contact:

  • Miski Abdulle at miskia@pillsburyunited.org
  • Shadelle Ware at shadellew@pillsburyunited.org
  • Amal Ali at amala@pillsburyunited.org

Elizabeth Brisbin

Pillsbury United Communities’ Food Systems Internships

This Earth Day, we’re excited to share an awesome opportunity available to local youth: Pillsbury United Communities’ Food Systems Internships. This program engages young people in sustainable farming practices, while building knowledge of food systems that prepares them for careers in clean food industries.

Through paid summer internships and after-school clubs, youth engage in hands-on work in our garden and hydroponic farm, learning about soil health, food preservation, composting, food justice, cooking, and growing fresh produce in our urban garden and hydroponic farm. They even design their own curriculum, doing a deep dive into topics that matter to them and to their communities.

Empower future green leaders, give today!

These youth gain valuable skills and a deeper understanding of sustainable food systems, preparing them for careers in agriculture, the environment, sustainability, and more. Your support makes this transformational program possible.

Hydroponic Farming“I have loved teaching students, who attend our weekly hydroponic internship, about how things work in the farm. The farm is such a unique resource, and it feels valuable to get to use it to empower young people to see a place for themselves in the sustainable food systems world.”

– Lilly, Food Systems Coordinator and Hydroponic Production Specialist.

 

Elizabeth Brisbin

PUC responds to Star Tribune Charter School Series

Classroom Photo

Dear Pillsbury United Community, 

We understand that recent articles in the Star Tribune regarding the charter school sector have understandably raised questions. We want to assure you that Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) remains a strong and stable charter school authorizer, fully committed to our vital mission. I am writing to you today to provide both some needed clarity and reassurance. 

First, some reassurance. For the record, PUC is not in danger of being terminated as a charter school authorizer. We want to emphasize the steps taken by PUC’s Office of Public Charter Schools (PUC-OPCS) in response to feedback from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). We view this as an opportunity for growth and have been actively implementing requested corrective actions with our enhanced operational capacity. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across all our endeavors. 

Second, some needed clarity. Every high-performing organization puts continuous improvement at the center of how it operates. PUC is no different. While we don’t agree with many of the allegations made in the Star Tribune series, we recognize that any organization that cares about continuous improvement should take this kind of criticism as an opportunity—a chance—to reflect on the work that we are doing in our charter schools and look for ways to further strengthen and improve. This is completely consistent with our mission and values—to help communities thrive, and empower everyone to have personal, social, and economic agency.  

We are proud of the progress within our schools and as a charter authorizer: 

  •  PUC-OPCS has embraced MDE’s feedback and is diligently implementing corrective actions.  Our strengthened operational capacity underscores our deep commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring we meet all regulatory requirements and continuously improve our practices. 
  • Strong Belief in Our Continued Role as an Authorizer: PUC-OPCS has full confidence in its continued capacity as a Minnesota charter school authorizer. Our recent structural changes have further solidified our ability to effectively fulfill our obligations effectively and provide robust support to our schools. 
  • Unwavering Commitment to Our Charter Schools: Addressing identified issues and championing the success of our charter schools remains a top priority for PUC-OPCS. We are steadfast in our commitment and are not considering withdrawing as an authorizer. It is crucial to recognize the significant and positive role that PUC’s charter schools play in providing important educational and economic opportunities within the communities we serve. Our schools are vital pathways for a diverse range of students, including those from various cultural and economic backgrounds, and many who have faced significant challenges within traditional public-school systems.  

For example, the Minnesota Internship Center (MNIC) provides invaluable hands-on learning experiences and career pathways for students seeking alternative educational models. The High School for the Recording Arts (HSRA) nurtures the talents and passions of young artists interested in the music industry, offering a unique and enriching educational environment focused on creative expression and technical skills. These are just two examples of how our charter schools are uniquely positioned to meet the diverse needs of our students. 

We firmly believe in the power of community-driven education and the positive impact our charter schools have on the lives of students and families. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards and ensuring the continued success of our schools as we work together to help communities thrive and empower individual confidence and agency. 

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the mission of Pillsbury United Communities. 

Elizabeth Brisbin

Youth Food Systems Spring Showcase

Food Systems Showcase Flyer 2025

Join us May 6th from 5-7pm in celebrating Youth Food Systems internship projects at North Market!

Come learn about youth projects, hydroponic farming, food justice, and more!

Bring your family to enjoy games, snacks, prizes, and community resources!

May 6, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Location: North Market parking lot, 4414 N. Humboldt Avenue, Minneapolis.

Food Systems Showcase Flyer 2025

Elizabeth Brisbin

Building A Sustainable Food Ecosystem in Our Community

Urban Gardens

This Earth Month, we’re excited to share how we’re building a sustainable, closed-loop food ecosystem in our community—and we’d love for you to be a part of it!

Support Our Urban Gardening Program Today!

Through our urban gardens and hydroponic freight farm in Minneapolis, we grow more than 1,500 pounds of fresh produce every season. The food we grow is harvested and placed directly on our food shelves, in our grocery store, and used in the prepared meals we serve to the community.

By growing our own food, we reduce the environmental impact by cutting down on the carbon footprint associated with transporting food—it’s farm-to-plate!

Pillsbury United Food Ecosystem

Located in the parking lot of our grocery store North Market, our hydroponic fright farm uses water filled with nutrients and UV light to grow produce like herbs and lettuces.

Hydroponic Freight Farm at North market grocery store“One of the most interesting differences I’ve noticed from running the hydroponic farm, compared to outdoor farming, is the minimal water usage! It’s impressive how the farm is built to recycle its own water, making it a sustainable option for places with limited water access.”
-Lilly, Food Systems Coordinator and Hydroponic Production Specialist.

Your generous donation helps continue this important work—allowing us to grow more food and ensure that families have access to the fresh, nutritious, wholesome produce they need, all while promoting sustainability. Together, we can nurture our planet and have a lasting impact in our community.

Elizabeth Brisbin

NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center community listening session April 15th

Creation in Common (CiC) in partnership with NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center (NPHW) is conducting community engagement listening sessions/drop-in group interviews to develop deep insights into the strengths, assets, and needs of North Minneapolis neighbors. This is in an effort to help the NorthPoint serve you better and develop a long-term strategic plan to do so.

Participants can drop by for a 30-minute conversation, led by independent facilitator Jenie Gao, Tuesday, April 15 at the Oak Park Center anytime between 11am and 6pm.

In exchange for their time and insights, they will receive a $20 cash honorarium.  

Location: Oak Park Center | 1701 Oak Park Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, 55411

Elizabeth Brisbin

SAVE THE DATE: Annual Women’s Night Out May 3rd 2025

Women's Night Out

Our Annual Women’s Night Out celebrating women’s resiliency in recovering from domestic violence is scheduled for May 3rd!

 

When: May, 3, 2025 from 6:00 pm. to 8:00pm

Where: Pillsbury United Communities Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center, 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454

What: Celebration with tea, coffee, and food! Traditional dancing, and event partners to attend and share services.

 

If your organization would like to sponsor this event, please reach out to:

Miski Abdulle –  miskia@pillsburyunited.org

Shadelle Ware –  shadellew@pillsburyunited.org

Elizabeth Brisbin

Build a Climate Resilient Minneapolis for Our Future

Pillsbury United Earth Day

Did you know that even more than car emissions, agriculture is the largest contributor to greenhouse emissions? This is why we support sustainable food growing in our community centers.  From growing our own produce for Minneapolis communities, to teaching youth skills by refurbishing donated bicycles, we invite you to join us in making a contribution to our community.

Where you live can determine the quality of the air you breathe, the water you drink, the amount of accessible green space in your community. This directly influences health, mental well-being, and exacerbates systemic barriers. As Earth Day approaches on April 22nd, we’re reflecting on our climate-resilience initiatives that will create a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone.

The Earth Day movement defines environmental equity as addressing injustices and ensuring that all people, regardless of their race, income, or zip code, have the right to a healthy environment. Communities we reach in Minneapolis are disproportionately impacted by climate change and the negative health effects it causes. That’s why we are turning to you for help in keeping our urban food gardens and transition to clean energy strong, our community health programs vibrant, and access to locally grown produce possible.

At our Oak Park Resilience Hub, we partner with Project Sweetie Pie to grow produce which we use to feed people facing hunger and food insecurity, sell in our North Market grocery store and teach youth about sustainable agriculture and food systems. Your help ensures that these local and green efforts continue. Initiatives like this inspire needed change for safer, cleaner and resilient neighborhoods.

Give today for a sustainable future!

Pillsbury United Communities’ green initiatives:

  • Brian Coyle Center Urban Garden
    We grow a variety of fresh produce that gets harvested and distributed at our food shelf on site to our neighbors to enjoy!
  • Hydroponic Freight Farm at North Market
    Located 50 feet away from North Market grocery store, this freight farms grows a variety of greens and herbs, using water filled with nutrients and UV light to help grow produce indoors instead of outdoors under the sun! The greens and herbs are harvested, repackaged and sold at North Market.
  • Youth Food Systems Internships
    Young people get hands-on opportunities to learn about soil health, food justice, and composting, providing them with knowledge and skills for green careers.
  • Sisterhood Boutique
    Shop or donate pre-loved clothing at our young East African women-led thrift shop. You’re helping to create pathways to success for these young women while also reducing waste and promoting recycled apparel as an environmentally conscious choice.
  • Full Cycle
    Donate a bike or shop at our bicycle shop, where every purchase supports outreach efforts to provide employment opportunities, bicycles, food, and supplies to unhoused youth.

Your donation helps us grow food, reduce waste, empower youth, and create a greener future. Thank you for being part of this change!

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