Will Heller

News & Updates from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Community Clinics: March 2026

A graphic with the text that says "Community Clinic Updates, March 2026." The background is a stylized collage that depict Waite House and Brian Coyle Center. The Pillsbury United Communities and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Logos are included on the bottom of the graphic.

This is the first monthly letter coming out of the Pillsbury United Communities (“PUC”) supported legal clinics! Mid Minnesota Legal Aid (“MMLA”) partners with the Brian Coyle Center and Waite House to provide a host of free legal services to low-income and elderly clients. Each month we will share the work we are doing, some numbers, and helpful resources for the community.

Brian Coyle Center Legal Clinic

Legal Aid’s Legal Clinic at the Brian Coyle Center (420 15th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454) has grown to offer nearly every service that Legal Aid has to offer. Here is how that breaks down every week:

Monday and Tuesday 9 AM – 3 PM (General)

  • Guardianship
  • Divorce
  • Custody
  • Public Benefits
  • Consumer Issues
  • Criminal Expungement
  • Landlord / Tenant
  • And More!

Wednesday 9 AM – 3 PM (Housing)

  • Evictions
  • Eviction Expungements
  • Damaged or Unsafe Housing
  • Housing subsidy problems
  • Lost security deposits

Thursday 9 AM – 3 PM (Immigration)

  • Naturalization
  • Green Cards
  • Derivative Citizenship
  • Adjustment of Status
  • U/T Visa
  • VAWA

 Waite House Legal Clinic

MMLA’s immigration legal clinic at Waite House (2323 11th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404) provides much needed brief services and advice for immigration matters including: pro se asylum applications, pro se work card applications, and brief advice and consultations. It is open every Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, appointments can be made with the front desk staff at Waite House, walk-ins are also welcomed.

A Story and a Lesson

Ahmed was facing a collection action, and sought our help at the Brian Coyle Center. We carefully reviewed his financial situation and saw he was receiving Medical Assistance—a “needs-based” public benefit. Fortunately for Ahmed, Minnesota exempts anyone receiving needs-based assistance from collection. We informed Ahmed of his rights and offered to help assert these exemptions. If you (or someone you know) cannot afford to pay a debt and is facing collection, come into the Brian Coyle Center Legal Clinic to see if your income is protected. You can learn more here: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/

A Look at the Numbers

In February the Brian Coyle Center Legal Clinic opened 22 new cases and closed 25 cases. During that same time, Waite House opened 7 new cases and closed 15 cases. It is normal for the Brian Coyle Clinic to have more cases each month because it is open more days a week.

Here are some graphs with each clinic’s monthly new and closed cases. New cases opened in the month are in blue. Cases closed in the month are in orange.

Will Heller

The Chicago Avenue Project Is Officially Underway at Pillsbury House + Theatre!

Chicago Avenue Project kicked off its season with mentor orientation this past Tuesday. The room was bustling with new connections and reunions as the artists joined together with the shared vision of making something hopeful in the midst of hardship. They have said yes to uplifting the creativity of our youth, to creating a space of play, vision, and community for the young artists at Folwell Elementary School. CAP would not be possible without the generosity of artists in the Twin Cities and the volunteers on Tuesday joined the 30 years of this legacy of giving. There are many worthy places where they could share their time and talents, and they chose to share them with us. We are deeply grateful.

Come check out the show they will create with the young folks: “Uña y Mugre – Joined at the Hip” May 8th and 9th at Pillsbury House + Theatre!

Will Heller

PUC Interns Participate in Youth Day at the Capitol

On March 3rd, 2026, the Minnesota State Capitol was abuzz with activity as over 600 youth from across the state of Minnesota gathered for the annual “Youth Day at the Capitol” (YDAC).

Interns heard from political advocates at various points in their journey – from a high school board representative to Minnesota’s Secretary of State Steve Simon.

Interns had the opportunity to meet with Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and Legislative Aide Saynab Jama. North News interns asked Champion questions that pertain to their reporting for the April print edition and Brian Coyle youth heard from Saynab about her work in the White House under President Biden and her role serving on the Health Committee at the MN State Legislature.

This event marked the first time many youth visited the State capitol.

Will Heller

Art In Commons Residency Begins at Pillsbury House + Theatre

Pillsbury House Theatre seeks artists from our surrounding neighborhoods (Central, Powderhorn Park, Bancroft, Bryant) to participate in Art In Commons (AIC). Through AIC, PH+T will be providing individual artist’s 24 hour access to free 110 sq. ft. studio space in the lobby of our neighborhood center at no cost.

AIC offers small scale opportunities to:

  • Embed neighborhood artists from a variety of artistic discipline and cultural production in our community center as resident artists for 4- 8 weeks.
  • Increase understanding and expand the value of the work of artists for the 24,000 people that enter our building each year.
  • Explore how we can better support neighborhood artists through access to a FREE temporary studio, and the possibility of exhibiting or marketing their art to neighborhood residents.
  • Provide artists opportunities to invite public participation in reciprocal art activities.

We are looking to have artists activate the studio space year round. If you are interested in being an AIC Artist, please contact Mike Hoyt at 612-787-3655, or email [email protected].

*Given this is a commons area, some materials restrictions apply.

Will Heller

Park Avenue United Methodist Church to Host Food Giveaway

A graphic that shares information about the Park Avenue United Methodist Church Food Giveaway. The event was held on Friday, March 20th from 2:30 to 4pm.

Another fantastic opportunity to help bring some relief to our struggling neighbors! Thank you so much to Park Avenue United Methodist Church for arranging this food giveaway!

🗓️ Friday, March 20
🕐 2:30 – 4:00 PM
📍 Park Ave Church
3400 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis
Lower level, Dining Room

Additionally, their Cornerstone Thrift Store is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday afternoons and the 3rd Friday of the month. The Free Legal Clinic is open on Thursdays, 2:30 – 5:00pm and the 3rd Friday of the month.  St. Mary’s Clinic offers free healthcare services for the uninsured Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:45-4:35 PM at Park Ave Church. For eligibility and to schedule a clinic appointment, contact 651-287-7777 or [email protected].

Will Heller

PUC Offers Parent Education Class In Partnership With MPS Early Childhood Family Education

Join MPS Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and Pillsbury United Communities for a parent education class this spring!

Dates: April 8 – June 10
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Location: Brian Coyle Center
420 15th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Wednesdays from 12-2 pm for parents with children birth to age 5 (not attending kindergarten yet).

Parents are required to attend the class with their child. Classes are free to attend, and lunch will be provided for children. Activities and games will also be available for children while ECFE facilitates parent discussion. A class field trip to the Minnesota Zoo is being planned!

To register, contact Jennifer Weber (Coach Weber) at 763-464-2790 or [email protected]

Will Heller

Support Your Local Food Shelf: The Minnesota Food Share March Campaign

This March, Pillsbury United Communities is partnering with Minnesota FoodShare to support local food shelves across our state.

Every day, families in our own community are forced to make impossible choices: pay the rent or buy groceries, keep the lights on, or put food on the table. No one should have to choose between food and other basic necessities, yet this is the heartbreaking reality for far too many Minnesotans.

You can make a meaningful difference. With your support, we can ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and no parent has to skip meals so their family can eat. Your generosity helps provide fresh produce, nutritious meals, and essential pantry staples to households who may otherwise go without.

A gift of any size creates real impact:

  • 10 dollars can provide a week’s worth of healthy snacks for a child
  • 25 dollars can supply fresh groceries to a family in crisis
  • 50 dollars can stock a pantry with essentials for an entire month

Your compassion helps restore dignity, stability, and hope. Together, we can build a community where every family has the nourishment they need to thrive.

Please consider making your gift today. Your kindness today can change someone’s tomorrow.

Support Your Local Food Shelf

 

Will Heller

KRSM Radio Offers Paid Spring Session High School Internship

KRSM Radio is offering a paid Youth Media Internship this spring for Minneapolis high school students interested in radio, storytelling, and media production.

Through this after-school internship with Pillsbury United Communities, students will learn the fundamentals of radio broadcasting while gaining hands-on experience in audio production, media literacy, digital storytelling, and content development. Interns will work together to create original content for weekly live broadcasts on KRSM 98.9 FM.

This special spring session is designed to fast-track students through the basics of radio programming while collaborating on a group project that will be showcased at the end of May. Interns will also work alongside current KRSM youth media interns, making collaboration and teamwork a key part of the experience.

Program Details

  • Dates: April 6 – May 22, 2026
  • Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4–6 PM
  • Location: Waite House Community Center
  • Pay: $16.37/hour

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a high school student in Minneapolis
  • Must be able to provide a Social Security card and photo ID for payroll

Application Deadline: March 23, 2026

For questions, contact Autumn at [email protected] or 612-545-7261.

Apply Here

We look forward to having you on air at KRSM 98.9 FM!

Will Heller

North News Interns Interview Minneapolis Fire Chief Rucker

The February 2026 edition of North News featured a special story — one that was written by the interns.

A team of eleven intern contributors came together to profile Minneapolis Fire Department Interim Chief Melanie Rucker, a North Minneapolis native and trailblazer who became the first Black woman chief in Minneapolis. It was a fitting match: young journalists telling the story of a leader who has dedicated her career to opening doors for the next generation.

Read the Full Story Here.

Melanie Rucker stands in front of a retired firetruck at the MN Firefighters Museum on Jan. 7. Photo by MJ Smith

Will Heller

Drag Story Hour MN Returns to the Pillsbury House + Theatre Stage

We’re delighted to welcome back a community favorite!

Drag Story Hour MN returns to the PH+T stage with Shimmering Waves — a joyful mix of stories and songs flowing from freshwater streams to the sea. Featuring magical creatures, puppetry, music, and plenty of sparkle, this interactive performance celebrates gender expression, friendship, and the wonder of nature.

Join Doña Pepa, Sid Sity, and Old Man Shimmer for a heartwarming experience designed for children and their caregivers to enjoy together.

March 21, 2026
Two performances
10:30 AM Art Activities | 11:00 AM Show
12:30 PM Art Activities | 1:00 PM Show

Masks encouraged.
Reservations are encouraged. Online reservations include a $5 minimum per family, with a limited number of $0 day-of tickets available.

Learn More and Reserve Your Spot

Will Heller

PUC Hosts College and Career Fair at Brian Coyle Center

On February 4th, 2026, PUC hosted our annual College + Career Fair for 80+ high school students to promote career exploration, higher-education, leadership trainings and summer employment opportunities.

Thank you to all of the organizations that tabled at this event:

Higher Education

  • St. Kate’s
  • Augsburg
  • Dunwoody
  • Minneapolis College
  • University of Minnesota

Training/Career Exploration/Employment

  • Minneapolis Fire Department
  • Tree Trust
  • Step-Up
  • MPS Community Education
  • Twin Cities Medical Training

Youth Civic Engagement

  • Be That Neighbor
  • City of Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board
  • Cedar-Riverside Athletics + Enrichment

PUC

  • Full Cycle
  • PUC Career Pathways
  • North News
  • Sisterhood Boutique
X