Peggy Flanagan, new head of Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota, knows challenges of childhood poverty
Flanagan, the organization’s new executive director, can put a face on childhood poverty: her own.
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.
Sequestration cuts about 1,000 children from Head Start in Minnesota
Early learning advocates across the state lamenting cuts in the federal program.
Six Minnesotans with compelling stories of helping the disadvantaged
They are being honored for their work to serve, empower and unite the poor and disadvantaged.
Ojibwe youth camp helps restore once-forbidden language
Fearing languages and traditions will disappear as elders die, the Red Lake tribe is hosting the camp to help retain Ojibwe culture.
How one couple made a difference in a troubled Minneapolis neighborhood
What started with bringing cookies to Phillips neighborhood families, developed into an organization that provides tutoring and support.
Program helps African-American children learn and parents advocate
Supporters say the Network for the Development of Children of African Descent is the launching pad to a better life.
Student video documents ‘invisible’ homeless in Minneapolis
“No Place to Call Home” documents lives of four homeless students at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
Martha Eaves, a champion of the economically powerless, retires
The St. Paul attorney is credited with helping win a landmark class-action lawsuit and jump-starting a program to head-off homelessness.
Innovative program offers low-income families more fresh fruit and vegetables
Three grocery stores across the state are taking part in the pilot project.
Advocates for poor put raising Minnesota’s minimum wage on top of priority list
Representatives from about 50 organizations gathered in St. Paul to evaluate the legislative session and plan future action.
Asians fastest-growing ethnic group in Minnesota
But the state’s Asian population is different on many fronts, from income to educational attainment.
Beat-the-odds students explore the law at ‘Just the Beginning’ program
Summer Legal Institute nurtures interest in legal careers — especially among young persons from backgrounds underrepresented in the legal profession.
Minneapolis photographer uses his camera to bring diverse community together
Wing Young Huie documents everyday life in south Minneapolis.
Bush Fellow wants to start ‘blameless conversations’ for social change
Dave Ellis aims to start a serious conversation among African-American men and boys.
Despite compassion fatigue, United Way leader sees hope in battle against poverty
Stacey Stewart, meeting with Twin Cities community leaders, talks about what’s working and what isn’t in the effort to reduce poverty.
Lawmakers approve $33 million for housing and homelessness-prevention programs
The state’s new director to prevent and end homelessness says Minnesota could become first state to end homelessness among veterans.
What the author of ‘Nickel and Dimed’ thinks about Minnesota’s minimum wage
I sought Barbara Ehrenreich out to talk about poverty as Minnesota legislators voted to raise the state’s minimum wage.
Prospects of state aid for undocumented immigrant students ‘looking really, really good’
The state Senate adopts bill, and supporters plan to add the measure to a higher-ed bill in conference committee.
St. Paul ponders future of Dorothy Day Center for needy
Should there be a new facility at the same site or a new location?
Legislators consider financial aid for undocumented immigrant students
The measure would allow qualified students to pay resident tuition at public post-secondary institutions and to apply for state grants.
