Focus Area: Youth Development

Grant Amount: $10,000

Located in White Bear Lake. Founded in 1987, Solid Ground is a supportive housing organization that provides housing and services to 195 previously homeless families in suburban Ramsey and Washington counties. One of its housing developments, East Metro Place in White Bear Lake, is establishing a youth program for young people ages 5-17 based in Healing Centered Engagement.

Grant supports a new youth activities coordinator position. The youth program will also work with a new partner, the JK Movement, a nonprofit that provides activities to youth to build positive character through mentoring. The JK Movement will have staff onsite 2 afternoons a week. Facilitators and youth will participate in planned activities designed to strengthen the relationship between them and improve the young person’s confidence. The Healing Centered Engagement model promotes empathy, listening without judgement, cultivating connections between young people, and encouraging social-emotional competence.