This bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 1967, proposes funding for a workforce development initiative aimed at violence prevention in North Minneapolis. Specifically, it appropriates $1 million per year for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the workforce development fund for a grant to the "Change Starts With Community" program.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

1. Program Objectives

   • Develop and implement year-round job training programs for at-risk youth and adults, particularly from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
     
   • Provide trusted adult mentorship to help participants gain skills necessary for employment and career development.
     
   • Create on-site job opportunities at Shiloh Cares Food Shelf and the Northside Community Safety Resource Center to promote community engagement and economic development.

2. Partnerships

   • The program will partner with the Cargill Foundation to support educational initiatives, career exposure field trips, and trauma prevention activities.
     
   • Participants will also engage with the Change Starts With Community Agrihood garden for hands-on learning opportunities.

3. Job Creation

   • The grant funds will be used to add job positions such as:
     • Adult food service workers
       
     • Youth food service workers
       
     • Executive director
       
     • Operations director
       
     • Program coordinator
       
     • Food shelf manager
       

4. Reporting Requirement

   • Beginning in 2025, the organization must submit an annual report to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development detailing:
     • Use of grant money
       
     • Program outcomes
       
     • Impact on the targeted population
       
   • Reports must be submitted no later than six months after the end of each fiscal year.

5. Appropriation

   • $1 million in fiscal year 2026
     
   • $1 million in fiscal year 2027
     
   • Funds will be allocated to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development, who will oversee the grant distribution.

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to reduce violence through economic empowerment by providing job opportunities and mentorship to at-risk individuals in North Minneapolis, focusing on BIPOC youth and adults. The initiative seeks to integrate workforce development with community safety efforts.

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