Elizabeth Brisbin

Legal Aid Lights the Way

You’re Invited! Support Our Minneapolis Community Legal Clinics

Join us for an evening of community, craft brews, and a cause that matters. Your support helps us reach the clients who need us most — ensuring access to justice across Minneapolis.

Support our Minneapolis based Community Legal Clinics! It’s the best way to reach clients who need us most. 🍻 Enjoy great company, local beer, and the chance to make a real impact!

📅 Date: Tuesday, Ocotber 21, 2025

🕛 Time: 5-8:00pm

📍 Location: Surly Brewing Co. | 52o Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis,  MN 55414

Individual Ticket $25 | Couples Ticket $45

Purchase Tickets Your ticket supports free legal clinics that provide vital services to underserved communities in Minneapolis. Let’s raise a glass to justice for all!

Want to help make a bigger impact in your community? Become an event sponsor! You can be a supporter of Legal Aid Lights the Way! Reach out to Development Officer, Kristina Quanbeck, for more information at {612} 746-3730 or [email protected].

Elizabeth Brisbin

Zumba Classes at Pillsbury United Waite House Center

Zumba Classes at Pillsbury United Waite House Center | 2323 11th Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55404

Todos los Viernes de 10am a 11am Septiembre 12 a Octubre 31

Todos son bienvenidos a las clases de zumba. Totalmente GRATIS.

¿Preguntas? Llama Esthefanie 612-876-9308

 

Zumba Classes at Pillsbury United Waite House Center | 2323 11th Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55404

Every Friday from 10am to 11am from September 12 to October 31

All are welcome at our FREE Zumba classes!

Questions? Call Esthefanie at 612-876-9308

Elizabeth Brisbin

Full Cycle Bike Shop Garage Sale 10/4 🚲

📅 Date: Saturday October 4, 2025

🕘 Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m

📍 Location: Full Cycle, 3515 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407

🚲 Used Bikes Sold As-Is! 🚲

Huge Savings on used bikes of all styles and sizes!

  • E Bikes
  • Recumbents
  • Tandems
  • Vintage

Priced to Sell!

All Sales Final!

Elizabeth Brisbin

Ladders to Leadership Paid Youth Internships

Youth Internships

OCTOBER 2025 – MAY 2026, $16 per Hour

Pillsbury United Communities (PUC), has 4 Community Centers and 8 social enterprises. Each school-year, PUC offers after-school jobs through paid internships for high school students to work with industry professions to learn new skills, prepare for careers and contribute to their community.

KRSM Youth Radio Internship @ Waite House Community Center Mon & Wed 4:00-6:00 >> Apply Online

Teen Tech Internship @ Brian Coyle Center Tues & Thurs 4:00-6:00 >> Apply Online

North News Internship @ Oak Park Neighborhood Center Mon & Wed 4:00-6:00 >> Apply Online

Fashion and Retail Internship @ Sisterhood Boutique Mon & Wed OR Tues & Thurs 4:00-6:00 >> Apply Online

Community Culinary Arts & Media Internship @ Waite House Community Center Tues 4:00-7:00 >> Apply Online

Hydroponics Farm & Food Systems Internship @ North Market Mon 4:00-7:00 >> Apply Online

APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 10TH

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

MUST BE A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

PROVIDE SOCIAL SECURITY CARD AND A PHOTO ID (PAYROLL)

QUESTIONS: TEXT OR EMAIL AUTUMN

[email protected], 612-545-7261

Elizabeth Brisbin

Earn up to a $4k scholarship by becoming FANS scholar!

2025 FANS

Earn up to a $4000 scholarship by becoming FANS scholar! The FANS program offers one-on-one mentoring/coaching, college tours, career exploration and more for 9-12 grade high school students! Earn gift card incentives for goal setting. Dinner provided. The goal of FANS is to ensure youth are ready to thrive after high school and succeed in higher education. Open to highschool students grades 9-12.

Wednesdays Starting September 24th, 2025 from 4:00-6:00pm

Locations:

Waite House | 2323 11th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN

Brian Coyle |  420 15th Ave S,Minneapolis, MN 55454

Oak Park | 1701 Oak Park Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411

>> APPLY ONLINE

Questions about FANS? Contact Michelle: [email protected] for more info.

Elizabeth Brisbin

What is the benefits cliff?

As part of a year long pilot for Hennepin County, Pillsbury United Communities took a look at some of the challenges faced by those receiving social services like food stamps, housing assistance, and health care. For some, ending the cycle of poverty is more difficult then the prospect of receiving increased benefits one area results in loosing benefits in another area. This what is called the benefits cliff.

Watch the video and learn more:

Elizabeth Brisbin

North News receives Awards from MN Society of Professional Journalists

July 2, 2025 | Melody Hoffman, left, and Azhae’la Hanson at last week’s Minnesota SPJ Awards. Photo by J.D. Duggan

“Bringing home hardware

The staff of the North News received several industry honors at an awards banquet sponsored by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists on Thursday.

Azhae’la Hanson received first-place awards for feature and news photography. Her story on the closing of JJ Legacy School won for news, while a portfolio of her work from 2024, published in the December issue, won for feature.

Melody Hoffman, who recently joined Hanson to teach journalism to high school interns, was recognized for Best Newsletter for her work with Southwest Voices. Hoffman was instrumental in helping North News start the newsletter that you are currently reading.

Editor David Pierini received an honorable mention in the Journalist of the Year category. Pierini also placed second in feature writing for a story on the opening of the V3 Center and its mission to teach Northside youth how to swim.

North News would like to thank our readers for sharing their stories and trusting us to chronicle life in North Minneapolis. “

July 2, 2025 | North News is an Enterprise of Pillsbury United Communities

Elizabeth Brisbin

Cedar Riverside Community Health Fair August 21st at Brian Coyle Center

Cedar Riverside Community Health Fair

🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉
Cedar Riverside Community Health Fair
Thursday, August 21st, 2025
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Brian Coyle Center – 420 15th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN

Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly day focused on health, wellness, and community!
Whether you’re looking for helpful resources, free health services, or just a great time with neighbors, we’ve got something for everyone:

✨ FREE giveaways & activities including:

  • 🚲 Bike giveaway – 3 chances to win!
  • 🎒 Backpack giveaway
  • 🌿 Henna & face painting
  • 👶 Kids’ activities
  • ✂️ Free haircuts
  • 🎶 Live music & DJ
  • 🍽️ Halal food truck

💉 Free health services on-site:

  • Health screenings
  • HIV testing
  • COVID-19 testing & vaccinations
  • Plus, helpful health & wellness resources

Don’t miss it – bring your family, friends, and neighbors!

📞 Questions? Contact us:
Awol Windissa: [email protected] | 612-876-9330
Aliazar Eliyas: [email protected] | 612-876-9326

Elizabeth Brisbin

Phillips Community Health Fair August 6th at Waite House Center

🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉
Phillips Community Health Fair
📍 Waite House Center – 2323 11th Street S, Minneapolis
🗓️ Wednesday, August 6, 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Join us for a day of health, fun, and connection at the Phillips Community Health Fair!
Bring the whole family and enjoy free services, exciting activities, and awesome giveaways — all in the heart of your neighborhood!

💥 What’s happening:
🎒 Backpack giveaway
🎨 Face painting & kids’ fun
✂️ Free haircuts
🩺 Health screenings
🧪 HIV & COVID-19 testing + vaccinations
🎶 Live DJ + music
💡 Health & wellness resources
🍎 And so much more!

Let’s come together for a healthier, stronger community.

📞 Questions? Contact us:
Awol Windissa: [email protected]
Esthefanie Odell: [email protected] | 612-876-9308

Elizabeth Brisbin

Important Leadership Update at Pillsbury United Communities

Dear Friends, Supporters and Community Advocates,

We want to inform you that Cinnamon Pelly has stepped down as CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, effective immediately, for personal reasons. We are grateful for Cinnamon’s service and leadership and wish her well in her next chapter.

To ensure a smooth transition and maintain organizational stability, the Board has appointed Anthony Washington, our CFO, as Interim CEO. Anthony’s experience and calm, focused leadership have already helped us make strong progress in shoring up our finances and operations. He will continue to guide the organization with support from the Board and senior leadership.

To further support the transition and organizational continuity, Pillsbury House + Theatre leaders Noël Raymond and Signe Harriday are joining the Executive Leadership Team as Interim Chief of Staff and Interim Head of Social Enterprises respectively. They join existing ELT members Denise Fosse (Chief Development Officer) and Robert Sanders (Director of Real Estate).

We know leadership changes can create uncertainty. Please know that this transition is being handled with care and urgency, and that we are committed to open, timely communication every step of the way. We are entering a new chapter—one shaped by accountability, renewal and a commitment to continue to work alongside communities in aspiration and through adversity. With strong interim leadership in place and a thoughtful search ahead, we are confident in the path forward.

In Solidarity,

Anthony Washington
Interim President & CEO

Elizabeth Brisbin

Open Your Heart’s 16th Annual Summer Challenge

Support Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) participation in Open Your Heart’s 16th Annual Summer Challenge!

As of 2025, approximately 537,890 Minnesotans are facing hunger, with 34% of them being under the age of 18. Additionally, food insecurity is now reported to affect 1 in 5 households in Minnesota.

Open Your Heart’s Summer Challenge provides participating food shelves like us with a matched grant proportional to their fundraising activities throughout July. Click: [https://secure.givelively.org/donate/pillsbury-united-communities/2025-summer-challenge] and make a donation today!

For 16 years, Open Your Heart has provided the highly impactful Summer Challenge Grant to support food shelves like PUC across the state.

This funding helps raise awareness of hunger and provides us with additional funding during these slower summer months to continue meeting the needs of our community. At a time when food shelves face tremendous strain and the increased need for resources, funds through Summer Challenge have a tremendous impact on food shelves like us!

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