Community Partners

Our student-focused work is grounded in our vision that all young people have full access to postsecondary education and career opportunities, creating a more just and vibrant community.

College and Career Counselor

India Burton

india.burton@mpls.k12.mn.us

College and Career Counselor

Kong Xiong

kong.xiong@mpls.k12.mn.us

Beacons Boys & Girls Club plays a vital role by transforming Camden High School into vibrant community hub after hours. Through the Minneapolis Beacons Network, the Boys & Girls Club provides free, high-quality after-school and summer programs that support academic success, leadership development, and social-emotional growth. Through our partnership, Camden students thrive both in and out of the classroom. 

Branch Director

Kelsey McNabb

Our weekly program brings together boys with men from the community in an experiential-based process that encourages ongoing critical thinking and reflection.

Together, they focus on five core curriculum components: personal power, cultural awareness, manhood, leadership development, and service-learning.

Check and Connect enhances school engagement through relationship building, problem solving, capacity building, and persistence in school. 

Connector

Tamera Larkin

Since 2000, our college access and success programs have helped empower nearly 100,000 students on their path to a college degree.

College Possible was founded by a first-generation college graduate who recognized first-hand the value a college degree can play. Like our founder, each of our valued team members bring a deep commitment to help every student succeed.

College Possible

Lao Lee

College Possible

Chee Xiong

cxiong@collegepossible.org

CRC is a needs-based, community-led organization. That is, we provide services where the need is greatest and where the community desires the services. CRC services are restorative in nature, promoting relationship building, violence prevention, stress reduction and healing from trauma for individual, family, and community wellbeing. 

Mediation Services

Jonelle Ellis

Mediation Services

Janise Johnson

Mediation Services

Saida Omar

saida@crcminnesota.org

 

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative is one of the largest and most effective programs focused on increasing the college and career readiness of low-income students in communities nationwide.

GEAR UP is a highly competitive grant program that helps empower local partnerships comprised of K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, state agencies, and community organizations to achieve three strategic goals:

1. Increasing the postsecondary expectations and readiness of students.

2. Improving high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates.

3. Raising the knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and financing among students and families.

   Gear Up

   Nick Walker
   nicholas.walker@mpls.k12.mn.us

Get Ready GEAR UP Minnesota, a federally funded program, helps students – especially those from underrepresented backgrounds – prepare for life after high school by providing academic support, college and career planning, and financial aid guidance through partnerships with K-12 schools, colleges, and community organizations. Our goal is to empower students and families with the tools and knowledge they need for long-term success.

Our mission is to motivate, empower and educate girls about the importance of understanding their personal power, achieving academically, actualizing their personal leadership, creating positive social change in their local community, and developing a career plan that includes post-secondary education.

Good Trouble is a youth-led movement with the mission to make schools outcompete streets and screens by pushing educators and policymakers to practice three core beliefs: 1) Youth are not the problem, they are key to the solution, 2) Everyone has a unique gift to give and we, the public, are in desperate need of receiving those gifts, and 3) We must put aces in places where gifts are honored and positioned for full potential.

Movement Lead & Co-Founder

Julian Spencer

Movement Lead

Jose Perez

Our mission is to work with our communities to seek justice and promote racial equity for those to whom it has been historically denied.

We do this through criminal defense, restorative practices, legal education, and advocacy.

Youth Advocate

Chelsea Schmitz Gillam

The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) partners with families and schools in North Minneapolis to support students from early childhood through college and career. By providing academic support, family coaching, and access to health, housing, and financial resources, NAZ helps close opportunity gaps and build a stronger, more equitable community.

NAZ Coach

Percy Wade

Since 1994, Project Success has been connecting students to their purpose through a proven methodology of experiential learning called DIG (Dream. Ignite. Grow.) Project Success currently works with more than 16,000 6th-12th grade students and their families in the Minneapolis and Mankato public school districts.

Facilitator

Heather Nielsen 

Our clinics make it possible for students to:

• Take charge of their health.
• Get no cost, confidential service.
• Go to an appointment without leaving school.
• Form relationships with providers who understand teens.

Health Educator

Ebony Templeton

jenna.hillman@minneapolismn.gov

Mental Health Therapist

Henrietta Couillard

henrietta.couillard@minneapolismn.gov

 

Health Registered Dietician

Natalie Nation

natalie.nation@minneapolismn.gov

 

Medical Assistant

Kathy Vang

kathy.vang@minneapolismn.gov

 

 

 

 

TRIO Upward Bound (TRIO UB) is an academic and college preparatory program funded by the US Department of Education. The purpose of TRIO UB is to develop the skills and motivation necessary for students to successfully complete high school and to enter and succeed in college. While there are hundreds of TRIO Upward Bound programs across the nation, this specific program is housed at University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). We are currently funded to serve 118 Minneapolis 9-12th graders from Edison Sr. High School, North Community High School, Camden High School, and South High School. TRIO UB at the University of Minnesota has served Minneapolis high school youth and families since 1966.

 

College Access Advisor

Samantha Parker

parke896@umn.edu

At Webber-Camden Neighborhood Organization (WCNO), we are dedicated to honoring our neighborhood's legacy while fostering collaboration and connection to ensure a thriving and equitable future for all residents and businesses.