The CURA CORNER:
Community Organization Resource for News, Events and Research

Volume 1, No. 1 (Spring 2007)

The CURA CORNER is an occasional online newsletter intended to inform CURA’s community partners about the activities of our Community-Based Research Programs, which include the Community Assistantship Program (CAP), Communiversity, and Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR). These programs provide graduate or undergraduate student assistance for community-based applied research projects, program planning and development, program evaluation, and other short-term projects.

In This Issue

1. Reader Survey: Help Us Improve the CURA CORNER!
2. Request for Proposals: Community-Based Research Projects, Summer 2007 Semester
3. Spring 2007 Research Project Awards
4. 2006 Community-Based Research Project Highlights
5. Bridging Communities Grants Awarded
6. University Northside Partnership Seed Grants Awarded
7. Events Calendars

Reader Survey: Help Us Improve the CURA CORNER!

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the CURA CORNER, an online newsletter intended to keep neighborhood organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other community partners informed about the activities of CURA’s Community-Based Research Programs.

Please take a minute to help us improve this publication by taking our short online survey and telling us what you like about the newsletter, what you don't like, and what would make it more useful to readers like you.

Thanks, and we hope you find this first issue both useful and informative.

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Request for Proposals: Community-Based Research Projects, Summer 2007 Semester

The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) invites proposals for the summer 2007 semester for its Community-Based Research Programs, which provide applied research assistance to community-based groups located outside of the Twin Cities area, neighborhood groups within the metro area, and other nonprofit agencies and groups. These community research projects typically involve students who provide part-time research assistance for one semester or over the summer. Students are selected by and report to the community organization. Organizations define and direct their research projects.

The goals of these programs are to:

1. enhance the capacity of community-based groups in Minnesota to meet their goals by giving them an opportunity to accomplish relevant applied research; and
2. provide students and faculty with useful community-based applied research and learning opportunities.

The deadline for project proposals for the summer semester is March 30, 2007. Approved projects will run from May 29, 2007 to August 26, 2007. For more information or to apply online, visit http://www.cura.umn.edu/Programs/ApplicationProcess.php.

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Spring 2007 Research Project Awards

The following organizations received a community-based research project award for spring 2007 semester:

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2006 Community-Based Research Project Highlights

The following are descriptions of selected Community-Based Research Program projects that CURA funded during 2006. (Where available, links are provided to online reports from the projects.) You can search for other projects online using the CURA Project Database and search for other publications and reports using the CURA Publications Catalog.

Saint Paul Festival Association, Maximizing Marketing Resources: Saint Paul Festivals Phase 2
The Saint Paul Festival Association (SPFA) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose mission is to promote and support St. Paul’s community festivals while celebrating the city’s cultural and ethnic diversity. SPFA represents eleven community festivals in the capitol city and provides group marketing and networking opportunities to members. Despite strong attendance and increasing community interest in the festivals, details on visitation to these events and their subsequent impact remained unknown. This project built upon a previous survey held at the St. Paul Cinco de Mayo festival and funded by NPCR.  Raintry Salk, a graduate student with the Department of Natural Resources at the University of Minnesota, developed and administered a survey for several St. Paul community festivals.  The project provided information about the visitor base at member festivals and helped focus efficient use of funds for marketing, festival enhancement and community development.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)
Report: NPCR Report #1250

Northside Food Project, Northside Community Food Security Assessment
The Northside Food Project (NFP) is a non-profit organization focusing on the nutritional and economic needs of the North Minneapolis community, specifically addressing the lack of access to healthy, nutritional foods and health products in general. The NFP represents an innovative community-business development approach to improve the quality of life for the communities in and around North Minneapolis. Its community development activities focus on resident participation in the planning and implementation of programs, as well as youth involvement and leadership training. Gillian Lawrence, a graduate student with the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, carried out a community food security assessment (CFSA) that examined general community characteristics, community food resources, household food security, food resource accessibility, food availability and affordability, and community food production resources. Data collection tools included secondary data sources, focus group guides, and a food store survey instrument. The results of the research will benefit the community by providing baseline information about food availability, nutrition-related health disparities (diabetes, heart disease, and obesity), resident food needs, and the overall food system in the Northside. The NFP and neighborhood residents are using this information to plan community programs that will be delivered through the NFP and partner organizations.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)
Report: NPCR Report #1248

North St. Paul Arts Council, Murals of North St. Paul
The Arts Council is a community arts organization that sponsors and supports an annual arts show and several arts events at community events throughout the year. This project was a step in the Councils public arts mural project with a goal of discovering and documenting the community values and events that have shaped North St. Paul. Nicole Stanich, an undergraduate student at Augsburg College, held conversations and interviews with residents. These interviews were developed into an oral history of the community. The results are being used to encourage residents to become a part of the discussion and planning of the public arts mural program. In addition they have been provided to the North St. Paul Historical Society to become a part of their collection.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)
Report: NPCR Report #1246

Northeast Community Development Corporation, Northeast Minneapolis Arts District Economic Impacts
Northeast Community Development Corporation (NECDC) is a geographically based, resident governed CDC serving Northeast Minneapolis with a mission to promote economic development. NECDC desired to quantify the economic impact of Minneapolis Arts District artists. Adam Maleitzke, a graduate student with the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, conducted a review of relevant studies and arts economic impact indicators models. This study is being used to move broad arts related, community supported economic development goals, as envisaged in the Arts Action Plan, forward by making a case economically for support of the arts. It will be used widely to spur arts related development and influence public policy decisions and funding patterns.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)
Report: NPCR Report #1247

Folwell Neighborhood Association/Folwell Center for Urban Initiatives, The Effects of Prostitution on Businesses in North Minneapolis
In June 2005, Folwell Neighborhood Association (FNA) embarked on a unique series of programs and collaborations combining strategies for community and youth engagement, immediate crime intervention and suppression, and long-term research and prevention related to pernicious problems facing North Minneapolis.  FNA established the Folwell Center for Urban Initiatives (Folwell Center) to provide high quality, free programs and services to encourage lasting attitudinal and life goal changes for residents of North Minneapolis. This project is a part of the larger community-based Prostitution Project directed by Lauren Martin (Ph.D.) at Folwell Center. The full project seeks to identify and document the emerging needs of prostitutes and their families – a severely underrepresented and disenfranchised group – and the effects of prostitution on the whole community. Wynfred Russell, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, interviewed business owners in North Minneapolis about the effects of street-based prostitution on their business. The results are being used to help accurately assess the impact of prostitution on north Minneapolis, raise awareness and identify a number of businesses who would like to work with the Folwell Center further on this issue. The results of this project will be joined with results from Folwell Center’s large-scale, community driven research project on prostitution to help develop a community-based prostitution prevention plan for North Minneapolis.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)
Report: NPCR Report #1249

La Escuelita, College Prep for Latino Youth
La Escuelita has a 15 year history as the only nonprofit organization dedicated to providing academic and leadership enrichment to Latino youth in Minneapolis in an after school and summer setting. La Escuelita serves nearly 150 middle and high school Latino youth (ages 12-18) annually from across the Minneapolis Public School District. Alicia Juarez, a graduate student in the School of Education at the University of Minnesota, developed a curriculum, determined strategies for student participation and identified potential partners. La Escuelita is using the results of this research to continue assisting Latino youth to enroll into post secondary institutions through a college prep curriculum.
CURA Program: Communiversity

Intermedia Arts, How Does Intermedia Arts Expand
Located in the Lyn Lake neighborhood of Minneapolis, Intermedia Arts is a multidisciplinary arts center at the intersection of diverse neighborhoods and communities. Its mission is to serve as a catalyst that builds understanding among people through art. Intermedia Arts needed to plan for the future use of its underutilized property. Theresa Sweetland, a graduate student with the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, used surveys, interviews and meetings to perform a needs and asset assessment of the surrounding community in order to determine how best the expansion could serve that community. The report is being used to inform the planning for the expansion of the art center.
CURA Program: Communiversity

Leadership Empowerment and Development Group (LEAD Group) and Minnesota Council of Non Profits (MCN), African Nonprofit Economy and Impact Report
LEAD is a community-based nonprofit organization that links new immigrants and refugees who are just beginning to undertake initiatives with the resources they need to succeed. MCN was founded in 1987 to meet the increasing information needs of nonprofits and to convene nonprofits to address issues facing the sector. Omar Fernandez, a graduate student with the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, utilized a survey, in-person interviews and an analysis of IRS tax data, to assess the activity of existing nonprofit organizations serving African immigrants in Minnesota. The report will inform Minnesota’s decision makers and population at large about the economic and quality-of-life impacts that African nonprofits have on the state, as well as identifying the primary needs and issues facing African nonprofit organizations.
CURA Program: Communiversity

Lifetrack Resources, Follow-up Job Retention Survey Project
In 2005, Lifetrack Resources helped 12,716 people build better lives through three services areas: Early Childhood and Family Services, Employment Services and Rehabilitation Therapies. Aron Khoury, a graduate student with the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, identified best practices in employment services for follow-up and retention assistance provided to clients who are moving from welfare to work. The report will help focus limited staffing and volunteer efforts more effectively to do the follow-up that helps people with challenges keep and advance in jobs.
CURA Program: Communiversity
Report: Communiversity Report #001

Edge of the Wilderness Community Center (EWCC), Community Building Through Theatre at the Edge of the Wilderness
The EWCC is a nonprofit, volunteer, community organization formed with a unique Blandin Foundation Grant in 1991, to be a community collaborator with the School District that would enhance opportunities in education, recreation, and the fine arts. Erinn Huntley, a graduate student in Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Minnesota, researched materials for a curriculum and led a several day long workshop where community members between the ages of 16 and 65 learned the principles and techniques of scenic painting. The project brought together over 80 people from all walks of life in the community. Participants left the workshops with a sense of worth and belonging that is hard to achieve in this sparsely populated, economically depressed, remote area.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Appleton Chamber, Appleton Community History
The Appleton Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership based civic organization that works to promote the Appleton area through tourism and business development. Appleton is located in Swift County in Western Minnesota. Anne Bigley, an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota Morris campus, worked with the Chamber, local historians, the Appleton Press and the Swift County Historical Society to develop a history document that was used during the community’s 125th anniversary celebration in September 2006. The information was also provided to local schools, libraries and historical societies.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Thief River Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, Marketing Area, Regional & State Sports Project
The Thief River Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) promotes tourism development and marketing for the entire community in and around Thief River Falls. This project serves both the community of Thief River Falls, with nearly 9000 residents as well as the northwest corner of the state. The community is a very active sports community, home to Northland Community College and Thief River Falls high school. Richard Stangle, an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus, inventoried area sports facilities and compiled the information into readily usable marketing tools. These tools were distributed to organizations involved with the marketing of the sport facilities.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Pequot Lakes, Pequot Lakes Housing Plan
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority was formed by the City of Pequot Lakes in 1968 to provide quality, affordable housing. Adrianne Hannert, a graduate student at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, performed a housing inventory for the one square mile area designated in the Pequot Lakes Comprehensive Plan as Urban Residential/Downtown Mixed use.  Blighted rental properties, substandard homes in need of repair, and properties appropriate for future single family homes were identified.  The HRA of Pequot Lakes intends to use the research results to apply for housing programs such as the Small Cities Block Grant. The HRA will also provide new programs based on the needs identified for the community.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)
Report: CAP Report #110

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Bridging Communities Grants Awarded

The purpose of the Bridging Communities Program is to increase the capacity of neighborhood groups for outreach to and the involvement of new immigrants and non-English speaking residents. Development of new strategies and partnerships are especially encouraged. The Bridging Communities Program is administered by CURA. Funding for the Bridging Communities Program is made available by the City of Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED).

The following organizations and projects received grants for 2007:

West Bank Community Coalition, Project Open Door
Project Open Door is an educational and outreach effort to develop relationships between WBCC and the leadership of the immigrant communities, inform people about the opportunity for citizen participation, and hear from immigrant groups about the barriers they see to involvement in order to create a welcoming organization.  Project Open Door is a three-step process:  (1) arrange meetings between members of WBCC and leaders from five immigrant groups:  Somali, Oromo, Vietnamese, Korean and Hispanic; (2) enlist the involvement of the immigrant leadership to organize an event for each group where information about WBCC can be shared and we can elicit ideas about how to make it welcoming; and (3) produce a final report with recommendations about changes the WBCC can make to Open the Door to immigrant populations. 

Cleveland Neighborhood Association, Hmong Thai Organizing Project
The Hmong Thai Organizing Project aims to fight crime and reduce fear among the Hmong Thai, connect Hmong Thai families with their neighbors, get the Hmong Thai families actively involved with the Cleveland Neighborhood Association and with neighborhood and anti-crime initiatives. It also aims to help CNA learn about Hmong concerns, and then help the Hmong organize with their Cleveland neighbors do deal with these concerns. 

Lyndale Neighborhood Association/Whittier Alliance/Stevens Square Community Organization, Nicollet Avenue Business Organizing Project
Lyndale Neighborhood Association, Whittier Alliance and Stevens Square Community Organization will collaborate on a new initiative to work with small business owners along the Nicollet Avenue corridor to address common challenges and concerns, and to build a stronger partnership among businesses and between businesses and the neighborhood organizations and appropriate business associations. The focus of this project is to connect businesses owned by immigrants and non-English speakers—businesses that comprise approximately 65% of the businesses along the Nicollet Avenue corridor—with the neighborhoods and each other.

Sheridan Neighborhood Organization, Shooting Stars
The “Shooting Stars” project trains 9-18 year old participants (with an emphasis on Somali, Hmong and Ecuadorian students) to use digital cameras and editing software, and gives them access to cameras to take pictures of family, friends, community activities, and their neighborhood. Participants will choose images for “slide shows” of their work, and participants’ work will be selected by an adult panel of local gallery owners and partner organization representatives for a still photograph show, presented in several venues. Participants will also select their top favorites for inclusion in the show.

Harrison Neighborhood Association, Harrison Organizing for Peace and Equity Initiative
The Harrison Organizing for Peace and Equity (HOPE) Initiative is an even mix of community capacity building and community driven action to bring about equitable development of the area. The Harrison Neighborhood Association will work with the Southeast Asian Community Council, the Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota and the People’s Institute to involve Lao and Hmong families in the redevelopment of the Bassett Creek Valley.

Longfellow Community Council, Latinos en Acción
Latinos en Acción is an initiative of the Longfellow Community Council, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association and the Resource Center of the Americas to include and represent the views of Latino community members in their work and to fill a need to promote leadership development and engagement at the neighborhood level. Latinos En Acción presents a model for the blending of community-based and culture-based organizing.

Seward Neighborhood Group, Seward Wellness Project
The Seward Wellness Project will address health literacy issues within the immigrant community in Seward. Through their work with a group of East African women and youth, Seward activists have uncovered a very important issue – that of health literacy and awareness issues in the East African community. The Seward Wellness Project will create “Doctor’s Bureaus” to address several key issues identified by the East African community.

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University Northside Partnership Seed Grants Awarded

Ten organizations applied for the new Northside SEED Grant program, administered by CURA as part of the University of Minnesota’s University Northside Partnership. We are proud to announce that the following organizations received awards that will begin this spring. The project awards include support for a graduate research assistant and a faculty partner.  

Juxtaposition Arts
The research project will include project specific evaluation protocol, completed evaluation report, annotated bibliography and collection of evaluation studies that might serve future projects. The faculty partner is Kristine Miller of the University of Minnesota College of Design.

Folwell Center for Neighborhood Initiatives
The research project will produce a report describing the evidence-based practices that should be used in the development and functioning of drop-in space in north Minneapolis. This research project will help FCUI develop and run a drop-in space for women in prostitution on the Northside that will be creative, sustainable, inclusive and effective. The report will be used to help develop a strategic plan for the long term growth and stability of the project. The faculty partner is Kathleen Call in the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, Department of Health Services Research and Policy.

Northside Residents Redevelopment Council
The research project will create a process produced by the governance structure for monitoring and enforcing the CBA. NRRC will use the final product to measure the long-term benefits to the community as demonstrated by the life chance improvements of residents and their children.  NRRC will measure the engagement of residents with the University.  NRRC will monitor the formation of the Northside region as it becomes a life-long learning community. David Karjanen in the Global Studies Department is the faculty partner.

HIRED
The research project will design a research model to determine the long-term impact of the employment preparation program at Broadway High School, particularly focusing on the impact of the post-secondary and employment outcomes of teen mothers in the years following high school graduation.

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Events Calendars

Mark your Calendars! April 11, 2007, is public engagement day at the University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota Events Calendar

Community Connections Calendar (sponsored by Target Corporation and the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute)

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