Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
NorthPoint offers a continuum of social and health services that are culturally responsive, trauma-informed, linguistically appropriate, that are provided by staff that reflect the community we serve and specifically meet the needs of our community. In 2022, over 36,000 community
members accessed programs and services at NorthPoint, many of whom live at or below the federal
poverty line. We are proud to have engaged over 13,000 individuals through human service programs. Current programs include a Community Food Shelf, Mobile Pantry, and in warmer months Free Fresh Food Friday’s to provide access to produce, and Bridge Bags of human breastmilk to nursing mothers experiencing a short-term crisis; Homeless Prevention Programs which provide case management and financial assistance (rent/security/deposit/utilities) to foster housing stability; Job Training and Employment Support; Holistic Healthcare – Medical, Dental, Optical Services, and Behavioral Health; and Case Management/Empowerment Programs that amplify the strengths and opportunities of women with high risk pregnancies and their babies, youth involved in the juvenile justice system or who are truant from school, gang-involved individuals, previously incarcerated individuals, families experiencing domestic violence, and seniors wishing to age in place. We also provide health insurance and SNAP enrollment services and recently based on an identified critical need amongst program participants introduced a financial literacy component into all programs.
Current Goals
NorthPoint addresses the impacts of systemic and structural racism which includes housing insecurity, food insecurity, unemployment, domestic and community violence, and other negative outcomes that are the result of centuries of discrimination and bias against people of color in our community, state, and nation. Programs at NorthPoint meet the presenting, often urgent crisis individuals and families face, like food and housing insecurity, exposure to violence, and mental health crises, through integrated human services that address basic needs including hunger and homelessness. Holding true to the community health center model, NorthPoint provides access to medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, optometry, human services, and a community food shelf. At the same time, we connect all guests to programs and services, both within and outside our organization, that can address the causal factors to their presenting needs to achieve long-term health and stability.
Community or Constituency Served
North Minneapolis is a culturally rich, ethnically diverse community of more than 55,000 residents; 82 percent are people of color, including 61 percent Black/African American, 13 percent Asian, five percent Latinx, and five percent multi-racial. Centuries of structural and systemic racism coupled with decades of disinvestment in North Minneapolis has excluded people of color from equal access to housing, community supports, and opportunities for economic mobility; and has resulted in concentrated levels of poverty, homelessness, unemployment, mental health challenges, chronic illness, community violence and disproportionate involvement with the criminal justice system. In our primary service area of zip codes 55411 and 55412, nearly 40% of households have incomes below 150% poverty. Housing and transportation challenges are also barriers to health, wellbeing, and upward mobility, with 43% of all residents cost-burdened by their housing and nearly 20% of all households having no vehicle. Amongst working adults, 28% earn $15,000/year or less and only 36% earn more than $40,000/year. NorthPoint is an anchor institution in North Minneapolis, a trusted provider of health and human services to multiple generations of residents. Culturally responsive programs and services meet basic needs and then address the causal factors of instability and provide a path to improved health, wellness, and financial independence.
Geographic Area Served
The target service area of NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, Inc. is the North Minneapolis community, often referred to as Near North or North Minneapolis. There are 11 individual neighborhood that make up the North Minneapolis community; they include: Near North, Willard-Hay, Sumner-Glenwood Jordan, Hawthorne and Harrison, Cleveland, Folwell, McKinley, Victory, and Webber-Camden. North Minneapolis is a culturally rich, ethnically diverse community of more than 55,000 residents; 82 percent are people of color, including 61 percent Black/African American, 13 percent Asian, five percent Latinx, and five percent multi-racial. In our primary service (zip codes 55411 and 55412) nearly 40% of households have incomes below 150% poverty. Housing and transportation challenges are also barriers to health, wellbeing, and upward mobility, with 43% of all residents cost-burdened by their housing and nearly 20% of all households having no vehicle. Amongst working adults, 28% earn $15,000/year or less and only 36% earn more than $40,000/year.
