Demographer to talk about big trends changing Minnesota, nation
Jim H. Johnson Jr. has been studying inequality, urban poverty and sociological changes in the United States for more than two decades.
Cynthia Boyd
Cynthia Boyd, MinnPost’s Community Sketchbook reporter, covers poverty, homelessness, mental health, and other topics related to the social and economic challenges facing communities. Community Sketchbook is sponsored by The Minneapolis Foundation. Email Cynthia at cboyd@minnpost.com.
War on Poverty debate: By the numbers, there’s little argument in Minnesota
MinnPost asked the state demographer to compare Minnesota’s poverty numbers from about the time of LBJ’s declaration to today. Overall, they’re way down.
Report offers revealing stories about lives of Minnesota’s immigrants
The study finds Minnesota’s 350,000 immigrants face discrimination, exclusion from the larger community and fear.
Facing Race award winners overcome hardships to make a difference
Justin Terrell and Jada Sherrie Mitchell will be honored for efforts to end racial disparities in education and employment.
How a $150 loan for kids’ Christmas gifts cost her $4,000
Lawmakers push payday-lending bills in Legislature to help people like Renee Bergeron of Duluth.
U of M research indicates low-income families don’t limit shopping to ‘food deserts’
A new study shows area residents who get government aid regularly shop outside their neighborhoods for better-quality food.
Catholic Charities CEO: St. Paul’s Dorothy Day Center is overwhelmed
Tim Marx explains why his organization and Mayor Chris Coleman abruptly dropped a plan to relocate the center that serves the needy.
A new twist to minimum-wage debate — dance
A Minnesota Without Poverty, a college student who grew up in poverty and a 17-year-old choreographer organize a flash mob at the Capitol.
Supporters of raising minimum wage point to gender gap in Minnesota
About seven in 10 minimum-wage workers in Minnesota are women, according to the National Women’s Law Center.
Clergy members go door-to-door in north Minneapolis to talk about halting violence
At least one of them can tell his own story of being a victim of violence and torture.
Minnesota spending more to help homeless youth
Thirty organizations across Minnesota get $4.2 million in funding to provide services to young people like Lina Warner.
What is ‘affordable housing’?
The definition is not as straightforward as it might seem.
From Death to Life offers support to Twin Cities families harmed by violence
Often alongside the man convicted of killing her son, group founder Mary Johnson preaches a message of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Minnesota won’t get hit by food-aid cuts in farm deal
Officials say the economy and the bitter-cold will have a bigger effect on Minnesotans needing food.
Temperatures plunge, requests for home-heating aid soar
Minnesotans are flooding social-service agency offices to sign up for help in paying home-heating bills this season.
Duluth’s new tool to fight homelessness: A bill of rights
Duluth joins a growing number of municipalities — as well as a few states — to adopt laws designed to draw attention to the needs of the homeless.
Homeless for 25 years, finally a room of his own
For state officials, Lorenzo Vasquez is a symbol of success who illustrates the goal of a new coordinated effort to end and prevent homelessness.
Outside in brutal cold, homeless youths hear about shelters from social media
Extreme temperatures demonstrate the need for more emergency shelter beds for homeless youths, advocates say.
Working for minimum wage: ‘There’s no room for advancement’
Life could be different for Darcy Landau if the Minnesota Legislature had agreed this year to raise the minimum wage.
Vigil in Minneapolis remembers 130 homeless people who died
With ceremony and sincerity, the names — including a 2-year-old child — will be read and their lives remembered.
