Hallie Q Brown Community Center Incorporated

Programs: The early learning center (elc) remained a model for peer organizations as recognized by the united way. Throughout the year, achievement and consistency of high standards were reflected in accreditation through naeyc and the mn parent aware 4-star rating. Over 90% of the children enrolled achieved key metrics in age-appropriate development, and all who were scheduled to enter kindergarten graduated with readiness skills in place, having accomplished proficiency in over 90% of the relative development indicators. The elc benefited from student groups such as the breck school as well as community volunteers who interacted through direct play and literacy activities. In its first full year providing both before and after school services, the youth enrichment program (yep) experienced significant growth in enrollment and marked client satisfaction. Of over 90 families who were served in the youth enrichment programs, fun in the sun day camp (fits) reached full enrollment for all five of the summer sessions. Of the students enrolled in the before/after school component of the youth enrichment program, over 90% achieved key academic metrics as well as social indicators including self-confidence, willingness to try new experiences, and leadership abilities. Youth workers from the city of st paul and ywca impact program joined students from area high schools and colleges to provide critical assistance to yep staff in programming and activities. Exposure to the arts and enrichment activities supplemented academic progress to build socialization and leadership skills for youth in the program. The five summer sessions of the fits focused on environmental and nature-themed activities, exposing over 30 children each session to new hands-on experiences in science and the outdoors. Yep made progress toward its goal of accessibility for all with increased availability of scholarship and subsidy funds. In participation with the st. Paul partners sprockets, the yep implemented the site level external youth program quality assessment to measure program quality. The tools four indicators include safe environment, supportive environment, interaction and engagement: the program was ranked highly on all four, with a nearly perfect score on the first two metrics, a critical result for the success of program participants. Program youth also participated in the macc alliance 6 cs pre- and post-survey to measure positive youth development in out of school time programs. In addition to academics success, the 6c assessment confirmed positive youth development in character, connection, compassion, confidence, competence and contribution of each participant.

food shelf and basic needs -the significant trends in supply and demand seen in 2013 continued through 2014. An average of 1,000 food shelf visits occurred each month resulting in giving out over 25,000 of food per month which consisted of dry goods, canned items, fresh produce, bread and culturally specific foods donated by partner stores. In 2014, over 308,000 pounds of food were distributed, nearly 70% of which was donated. In partnership with the university of minnesota, their healthy eating index showed consistently high rankings in food quality, with over 85% of offerings demonstrating a high ranking, unusual for area food shelves. Continued successes in acquiring donated produce improved our bonus table offerings, and so the overall food quality this year improved at the same time as total pounds increased. The clothing closet and supplemental services also kept pace with increasing demand. About 40,000 items went through the clothing closet to over 4,400 recipients. Critical items included business attire for job seekers and over 300 coats for the cold weather. Additional holiday offerings and substantial supplementary services such as pet food and household goods continued to have an enormously positive impact for the community. Food shelf and clothing closet services continued to see more visitors among children and seniors. Partnering with the fare for all service of the food group also improved the reach of these services in 2014 with schedule changes and improved messaging. .

multiservice center - the multiservice center administration provides a variety of events and opportunities to the community. Special programs, classes, public informational events and cultural offerings originate from and are hosted by this facility. Partner agencies providing programs and services recognize and work to meet the diverse social, cultural and educational needs of the community constituents. Utilization of services such as free tax preparation through prepare & prosper (fka accountability mn) brought in nearly 700 households. In 2014, we partnered with key organizations such as the pet project, the summit university planning council, rondo avenue inc. , days festival, the schubert clubs project cheer, and the ramsey hill association, as well as numerous social and civic groups who regularly meet for the betterment of the community. Saint paul parks and recreation and penumbra theatre company represent major partners. In 2014 a complementary new partner was added, the st. Paul chapter of the naacp. Over 10,000 visitors took advantage of the multiservice center space for events and programs, for a total of over 35,000 person-hours booked in 2014. Approximately two-thirds of this usage occurred in the communal canteen space, with the remainder in smaller meeting rooms. The retired men's club and magnificent golden agers are key partners which work together to improve the quality of life for seniors in the community at the martin luther king center. Senior groups have been active in service to the food shelf and have kept the institutional memory enlivened, honoring the rich history of the organization. 2014 saw a restructuring of the golden agers and membership growth in both clubs.