Focus Area: Youth Development

Grant Amount: $12,000

Located in St. Paul. Interfaith Action uses an interfaith, multi-racial, inter-generational approach to relieve the effects of poverty, address its causes, and build a more just, safe, and livable East Metro for all. With thousands of volunteers from faith communities, it focuses on increasing economic mobility in the East Metro, activating and educating members of faith communities, and equipping faith communities with pathways for their congregants to engage in effective social justice work.

Grant supports Interfaith’s American Indian Youth Enrichment program (AIYE), the only year-round program serving Indigenous youth in St. Paul. It operates out of the American Indian Magnet School on the east side of the city. The grant supports hands-on reading and literacy skills as part of a holistic and culturally specific program developed and taught by Indigenous educators; learning and engaging in cultural lessons and activities that explore Indigenous history, language, ceremonies, communities, arts, drumming, dance, humor, and tribally specific identity exploration; and, participating in activities that increase cultural awareness, social-emotional learning skills, and self-esteem.