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Community Sketchbook

This content is made possible by the generous sponsorship support of The Minneapolis Foundation.

Community Sketchbook

Community Sketchbook, reported and written by Cynthia Boyd, focuses on the economic and social challenges facing communities, especially low-income communities and communities of color, and how people are trying to address them.
 
It is made possible by sponsorship support from The Minneapolis Foundation.

Community Sketchbook articles may be republished or distributed, in print or online, with credit to MinnPost and the foundation.

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Barbara Ehrenreich

What the author of ‘Nickel and Dimed’ thinks about Minnesota’s minimum wage

By Cynthia Boyd | 05/10/13

I sought Barbara Ehrenreich out to talk about poverty as Minnesota legislators voted to raise the state’s minimum wage.

State aid for undocumented immigrant students ‘looking really, really good’
Community Sketchbook

Prospects of state aid for undocumented immigrant students ‘looking really, really good’

By Cynthia Boyd | 05/02/13

The state Senate adopts bill, and supporters plan to add the measure to a higher-ed bill in conference committee.

Dorothy Day Center
Community Sketchbook

St. Paul ponders future of Dorothy Day Center for needy

By Cynthia Boyd | 05/02/13

Should there be a new facility at the same site or a new location?

Thalia Estrada
Community Sketchbook

Legislators consider financial aid for undocumented immigrant students

By Cynthia Boyd | 04/30/13

The measure would allow qualified students to pay resident tuition at public post-secondary institutions and to apply for state grants.  

Josie Johnson and Ellen O’Neill
Community Sketchbook

Josie Johnson and Ellen O’Neill: Different lives but both devoted to fighting racism

By Cynthia Boyd | 04/26/13

The civil rights worker and the executive director of the YWCA of Duluth will be honored by the Saint Paul Foundation.

Immigration scholar at U worries Boston bombings will derail reform plans
Community Sketchbook

Immigration scholar at U worries Boston bombings will derail reform plans

By Cynthia Boyd | 04/24/13

But Katherine Fennelly doesn’t think that questions of assimilation and immigration status are relevant in Boston case.

homeless person photo
Community Sketchbook

Minnesota’s homeless are profiled in new Wilder findings

By Cynthia Boyd | 04/17/13

Analysts at Wilder Research are revealing the people behind the numbers.

Stephanie Smith
Community Sketchbook

Volunteer tax preparers help low-income taxpayers develop financial plans

By Cynthia Boyd | 04/15/13

Non-profit offers not only free-tax preparation but also financial advice.

mn capitol photo
Community Sketchbook

Advocates for needy say bipartisan support emerging for increased spending

By Cynthia Boyd | 04/12/13

Proposals would raise grants to families with children and establish a housing allowance for low-income families.

Why is state health and human services spending growing so fast?
Community Sketchbook

Why is state health and human services spending growing so fast?

By Cynthia Boyd | 04/11/13

State House Speaker Paul Thissen warns: “It’s going to swallow up our entire budget.”

lofts
Community Sketchbook

Stronger economy helping Minnesota homeowners, but not renters or homeless

By Cynthia Boyd | 03/27/13

A new report cites rising rents and declining wages and limited job prospects for renters.

ka vang portrait
Community Sketchbook

Author Ka Vang’s folk tale connects Hmong children with their culture

By Cynthia Boyd | 03/26/13

Her book is part of the Reading Together Book Project, which recruits local authors and illustrators to create culturally relevant books for children.

Rich Evans
Community Sketchbook

Fighting youth homelessness: Provide housing — and help finding a job

By Cynthia Boyd | 03/19/13

This approach is working for Rich Evans. And advocates are cheered by Gov. Mark Dayton's budget request for more funding for these services.

An inside view of a top-notch early childhood education program
Community Sketchbook

An inside view of a top-notch early childhood education program

By Cynthia Boyd | 03/14/13

It’s this kind of educational experience that all too many Minnesota children miss out on because their parents can’t afford it.

st. stephen's
Community Sketchbook

Despite brighter economy, Minnesota’s homeless numbers still rise

By Cynthia Boyd | 03/06/13

Wilder Research says 10,214 adults, youth and children were tallied as homeless in the count conducted Oct. 25, 2012.

Should battered women be given asylum in the U.S.?
Community Sketchbook

Should battered women be given asylum in the U.S.?

By Cynthia Boyd | 03/01/13

A Honduran woman jailed in Minnesota joins others seeking asylum because they suffered severe domestic abuse in their home countries.

detainee
Community Sketchbook

As budget cuts loom, low-risk undocumented immigrants freed

By Cynthia Boyd | 02/26/13

Several hundred released from detention facilities in Minnesota and around the country.

Despite improving economy, demand at food shelves remains high
Community Sketchbook

Despite improving economy, demand at food shelves remains high

By Cynthia Boyd | 02/25/13

Emergency food providers ask the Legislature for budget increases.

Elsie Fairbanks
Community Sketchbook

Elsie Fairbanks dedicated her life to helping American Indians

By Cynthia Boyd | 02/20/13

The St. Paul Area Council of Churches official died this week at 74.

Community Sketchbook

Do early childhood programs for poor kids work?

By Cynthia Boyd | 02/14/13

Critics claim, in the long-run, they don’t make much difference. But Rob Grunewald has evidence otherwise.

Lessons to learn from U research on disadvantaged children
Community Sketchbook

Lessons to learn from U research on disadvantaged children

By Cynthia Boyd | 02/08/13

The findings take on more weight than ever this year as legislators consider Gov. Mark Dayton’s early childhood development proposals.