The Otto Bremer Trust awarded more than $14 million in grants and program-related investments in December and January. The trust also distributed more than $16.6 million to six local intermediary partners as part of its new Community Responsive Fund pilot program. Grants that affect our area include the following: The Center for Victims of Torture, St. Paul, $55,000 to serve Somali families in St. Cloud through culturally specific outreach, parenting classes and mentoring; Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, St. Cloud, $50,000 for general operations to develop and preserve affordable housing in central Minnesota; Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines, Waite Park, $55,000 for general operations to provide youth development opportunities and programs for girls residing in Greater Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin; Initiative Foundation, Little Falls, $100,000 to build organizational capacity by providing training, consulting, and coaching for nonprofit organizations in central Minnesota; Minnesota Head Start Association Inc., Sauk Rapids, $37,000 for general operations to support low-income families and ensure high standards of service for young children through a statewide network of Minnesota Head Start providers; Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, St. Paul, $10,000 to promote systems improvements in Minnesota’s emergency housing sector, leading to the elimination of homelessness; Hearth Connection, St. Paul, $150,000 for general operations to provide technical assistance and solution creation to improve housing outcomes for chronically homeless Minnesotans through a statewide network of direct service providers, government partners and community stakeholders; Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, Minneapolis, $36,000 for general operations to elevate the capacity of programs, systems and policies to strengthen youth-mentoring relationships in Minnesota and the region; and WomenVenture, St. Paul, $60,000 for general operations to equip women entrepreneurs with the skills and resources to create and grow profitable and sustainable businesses.
St. Cloud Metro Bus and KLJ Engineering were awarded the American Council of Engineering Cos.’ Engineering Excellence Awards (environmental) for completing the Federal Transit Administration National Environmental Policy Act Documented Categorical Exclusion and the procurement of two parcels of land in Waite Park for the eventual development of an additional transit station.
Marlice Johnson and Maggie Rivera were appointed as part of the Stearns Bank executive team. Johnson joins as chief brand officer, while Rivera assumes the role of vice president of corporate social responsibility and Inclusion.
Young Women’s Leadership Program is now accepting registrations for the 2024 session. The program provides young women in the Sixth Congressional District with guidance and mentorship from female leaders as they prepare for their future. This year’s program will consist of three summer sessions covering topics including women in media, public service and law enforcement. For more information and to apply, visit https://emmer.house.gov/young-womens-leadership-program.
