Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
PRISM increased the number of visits to the food shelf each month from 950 visits to 1,650 per month. This was an additional 493,500 pounds of food over the previous year. We screened over 2,000 calls seeking support for rental and utility assistance and assisted 298 households to remain stably housed. Our Shop for Change Thrift Shop, provided earned revenue for PRISM allowing us to purchase necessary food to stock the food shelves. In the last year, visits to the Birthday Room doubled in our Children's Programs.
Current Goals
One of our programmatic goals this year is to continue to expand our housing programs. Last fiscal year, our housing programs expanded to include a Housing Locator, who helps individuals experiencing homelessness, or are precariously housed. We continue to seek new and different funding opportunities to grow our ability to help families stay stably housed.
Community or Constituency Served
PRISM serves low-income children, adults, and seniors each year, living in the northwest suburbs of Hennepin County. One-hundred percent of our participants experience episodic or persistent financial hardship and are unable to meet their food, clothing, and housing needs. Nearly 70% of those served are Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC); more than half are female; children under 18 comprise 35% of those served; and of the 298 households provided with financial assistance to stay stably housed. Our participants have inadequate incomes, but unlike the stereotypes many are employed or have a fixed income. The households we work with are often paying 60-80% of their income on rent, and have been successful in maintaining housing on their own the majority of the time. The majority of participants we serve are renters and face high barriers ranging from low credit scores, low income, and many live in vulnerable housing situations (e.g. month to month leases, doubled up).
Geographic Area Served
PRISM is a social service agency that provides dignity-centered food, housing, and clothing services to the northwest suburbs. Due to limitations, PRISM's housing and children's programs are limited to Golden Valley, New Hope, Crystal, Robbinsdale, and Plymouth residents. Our Food distribution through Marketplace Food Shelf, Summer Produce Distribution, and SNAP distribution at Farmer's Markets are available to anyone regardless of where they live.
