About UNP
UNP is a collaborative effort to enhance the social and economic environment in the North Minneapolis community. The University of Minnesota, and many others, including NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and Northside community organizations are working in unison to brighten both the present and future of North Minneapolis.
University Northside Partnership Objectives
Strengthening community spirit and business vitality
Giving families hope with a helping hand
The University Northside Partnership is guided by four vital cornerstones:
Meaningful: The work must address the community’s hopes, preferences, concerns, and needs.
Sustainable: The work is designed to last for many years into the future. The Partnership will develop long-term supportive relationships.
Cooperative: All partners’ efforts complement current and new community initiatives by other governmental agencies (such as the City, the County, community organizations, including neighborhood associations, nonprofit service and advocacy organizations, and grass-roots efforts.) The work will recognize the value of community knowledge, skills, and resources.
Generative: That the work here, through multiple partnerships, lead to new areas of shared purpose and effort, and that the ideas and actions lead to immediate and greater long-term gain.
The objective of the University of Minnesota Northside Partnership is to work with the community to create support programs to:
- Improve reading skills and learning outcomes for young children
- Help with job training and business opportunities
- Provide treatment and research to children and families
struggling with depression, child abuse, violence and other
problems
- Increase adult literacy and access to higher education
- Meet identified needs and interests of the community
Strengthening community spirit and business vitality
As a diverse and celebrated community with plentiful park systems, a close proximity to downtown, and faithful residents who are proud of where they live, North Minneapolis is rich in opportunity. UNP aims to accentuate this vibrant, economic potential and serve as a catalyst for community success.
By having a local presence in North Minneapolis, the University Northside Partnership would like to achieve the following business and economic development outcomes:
- Provide management and technical assistance for small businesses and nonprofit organizations
- Provide computer and technical training for small businesses and nonprofit organizations
- Offer business and contract opportunities for women-owned and minority-owned businesses
- Construction employment opportunities
- Provide opportunities for student entrepreneurs
- Utilizing resources to attract new businesses and jobs into the area
- Improved physical and economic image of the North Minneapolis community
- Act as a springboard for additional economic investment in the community
- Develop effective ways to reduce poverty and unemployment rates
Giving families hope with a helping hand
A focus on safe and healthy families is just one of the many aspirations of UNP. With the addition of a new child and family center, the future can bring happier and healthier lives for North Minneapolis residents through the following:
- Resources and programs to promote family health and stability
- Research that builds new knowledge to help families and children
- Education and training to increase the diversity of professionals serving children
- Support for community programs and professionals
UNP will promote early childhood development and school readiness through the following:
- Develop and distribute effective tools for assessing early language, literacy, and social development
- Create and test new ways to promote language and literacy development in home and childcare settings
- Work with existing community programs to expand and enhance support for parents, childcare providers, and early childhood educators
- Bring research to practice with partners who serve early childhood educators
- Share ways to teach effective practices to childcare providers
- Work with partners, like MNSCU and Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association, to increase the number of diverse professional early childhood educators, trainers and role models
- Build local and state networks and policies that promote effective practices