Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is partnering with Minnesota Safe Streets, a community-based organization focused on providing boots on the ground and coordinating efforts with local law enforcement agencies, to reduce violence and create safe, thriving neighborhoods.

The Y and Minnesota Safe Streets are focused on four key strategies to create a safer Twin Cities:

  • Collaborate with law enforcement
  • Build partnerships with cross section of neighborhoods
  • Improve job and economic opportunities 
  • Share clear community standards that protect and respect all in the community

"Minnesota Safe Streets is committed to the development of a collective impact network that will deploy the power of our community-based organizations in a collaborative effort to overcome the violence that continues to threaten our people,” said Al Flowers of Minnesota Safe Streets.  “The best solutions are always those that are developed and delivered as close to the community as possible, by people who have already established trust and respect with those they will serve. We are confident that with sufficient support and resources, Minnesota Safe Streets will impact neighborhoods, transform lives, and create the kind of community we all want and deserve for ourselves and our children; a community devoid of violence and full of opportunity. "

“The YMCA is committed to making our communities safe for everyone,” said Glen Gunderson, president of the Y. “With Minnesota Safe Streets, we believe positive outcomes of reducing violence, providing access to resources and restoring hope are possible.”

To learn more about collaboration, an outside news conference will be held and details are below:

WHO:
YMCA of the North and Minnesota Safe Streets

WHAT:
YMCA Collaboration with Minnesota Safe Streets to Reduce Violence and Build Thriving Communities

WHERE:
North Minneapolis YMCA Parking Lot on 1711 West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55411

WHEN:
Thursday, March 4 at 11:00 a.m.

AGENDA:

  • Announce Collaboration between YMCA and Minnesota Safe Streets
  • Discuss Key Current Priorities
    • Formalize collective impact network by establishing a common agenda, shared outcomes and expectations, and a clear process of accountability.
    • Recruit and train 30 Navigators and supervisory staff for deployment at strategically important locations in the metro area.
    • Establish a communications network with a broad range of stakeholders to include law enforcement, businesses, local government and neighborhood organizations.
  • Share Support Activities For Chauvin Trial
    • Deliver a minimum of three Critical Incident Response Teams for rapid deployment following the eruption of violence in the metro area.
    • Provide a visible and continuous presence in the community through the deployment of 30 Navigators.
    • Be a source of accurate information to the community related to the trial and how it is impacting the community.

About the YMCA of the North

The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 165 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.

About Minnesota Safe Streets

Minnesota Safe Streets is a Collective Impact Network that mobilizes community assets to overcome the violence that threatens to upend lives and destroy neighborhoods. This network believes that the best solutions to the problems we face are those that are imagined, developed, and implemented by those who are closest to the situation. Minnesota Safe Streets also believes that most of the solutions needed to solve most of the community’s problems have already been conceptualized, and that the real challenge we face is finding an effective way to coordinate and resource these disparate efforts.