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The Family Partnership Announces Eight Pilot Sites Across Minnesota to Implement EGG Toolkit, a Groundbreaking Executive Function Curriculum for Early Childhood.

Minneapolis, MN

The Family Partnership has selected eight early education programs across Minnesota to implement EGG Toolkit in the 2024-25 school year. The purpose of the pilot is to build on learnings and outcomes from previous pilots in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas. By evaluating impact in urban, rural, and suburban communities within Minnesota, the pilots will demonstrate EGG Toolkit’s positive impact on children and parents/caregivers and build capacity to effectively scale more broadly.

The Family Partnership designed EGG, short for “Empowering Generational Greatness,” in 2017 with Christine Wing, CCC-SLP, PhD, in collaboration with early childhood educators and leading experts in brain science, child development, and curriculum design. EGG helps children develop executive function and self-regulation skills during the critical years of early childhood, the stage when brain development is at its fastest and most foundational.

Thanks to chief authors Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn and Sen. Kelly L. Morrison, and authors Sen. Dave Pinto, Sen. Mary Kunesh, Rep. Nathan Coulter, and Rep. Emma Greenman, the state of Minnesota passed legislation in 2023 that included $300,000 to help The Family Partnership expand pilots in six sites across Minnesota in urban, suburban, and rural settings. The Donaldson Foundation funded the expansion to an additional two sites.

“We cannot deny the adverse impacts of the isolation and constant stress the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our youngest learners and their parents,” says Dianne Haulcy, President and CEO of The Family Partnership. “We desperately need interventions like this to support children’s cognitive and emotional development, and support positive, responsive parenting. This curriculum equips children with tools to develop language that describes their feelings and experiences rather than acting out on impulse. When children are empowered with this language, they learn to ask for help, talk about their emotions, and better understand their experiences. This is particularly important for children and parents living in high-stress environments.”

Trinette Potts, EGG Project Manager at The Family Partnership, will lead implementation, training, and professional development with the following sites partnering for the 2024-25 pilot expansion of the EGG Toolkit:

*This ECFE is a partnership between the Eagan, Apple Valley, and Rosemount school districts.

John Everett Till, SVP of Strategy and Innovation at The Family Partnership and EGG Enterprise Manager, says teachers and facilitators are eager to get started. Till says, “The good news is that we can buffer kids against toxic stress, and that’s what our intervention is designed to do. We’re ready for this pilot expansion and we look forward to presenting a report to the legislature about the impact of scaling our early childhood intervention in urban, suburban, and rural communities.”

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About The Family Partnership

The Family Partnership is an accredited, multicultural human services organization that has worked since 1878 to meet the evolving needs of Twin Cities families facing barriers as a result of racial and economic injustice. Today, TFP is at the forefront in implementing evidence-based practices, emerging brain science, and centering equity, inclusion, and anti-racism work to effectively build well-being within the communities we serve. Agency-wide, the commitment to evidence-based practices has led TFP to implement two-generation (2Gen) strategies across our programs. Research shows that 2Gen services, which engage children and their parents/caregivers together, are more effective at building intergenerational wealth, well-being, and prosperity.

About EGG Toolkit

EGG Toolkit is The Family Partnership’s groundbreaking executive function curriculum for early childhood. EGG engages children ages 3 to 5 in activities focused on language, storytelling, and mindfulness to build focus and resilience: key capacities for success in school and life. By building these core capabilities, EGG helps to buffer children against the harmful impacts of ACEs, closing opportunity gaps in childhood and supporting a lifetime of better outcomes for physical, mental, and behavioral health. For more information, visit eggtoolkit.org.

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Contact:

Stephanie Goodwin (she/her)
Communications Manager
The Family Partnership
sgoodwin@thefamilypartnership.org

On May 8, The Family Partnership welcomed guests, staff, and volunteers to our 2024 Better Together fundraising luncheon. Dianne Haulcy, President and CEO, spoke to the healing power of relationships in The Family Partnership’s work. The event also featured inspiring stories from Ms. Linda Wilson, foster mother, and Ae Vang, outpatient therapist, who have partnered together in support of children’s healing.

We invite you to experience some of the best moments from this year’s program below!

Dianne Haulcy, President and CEO, highlights the “tremendous outcomes” achieved as a result of trusting relationships between families and staff.

Dianne Haulcy has led The Family Partnership as President and CEO since 2022. Haulcy brings more than 25 years of nonprofit executive leadership and advocacy on behalf of children and families of color in Minnesota. She also created and hosts MPR’s Little Moments Count Early Risers podcast that discusses how to talk to young children about race and racism.

One of the core beliefs that guides The Family Partnership’s work is that ‘people change in the context of relationships.’ We believe this to be true because there is ample research to support this claim, and because we witness it over and over in our programs.

Of more than 3,000 individuals we served last year, the majority are confronting barriers related to poverty, racism, and other systemic injustices. This looks different for every family but can include daily stressors about putting food on the table and keeping a roof overhead—not to mention what those burdens do to a person’s physical and mental health over a lifetime.

Every one of the individuals we serve has a relationship with at least one TFP staff—someone who has built trust and supported them on their healing journey.

As a result, together we have achieved tremendous outcomes:

Our staff leverage a 2-generation approach and evidence-based practices in the context of trusting relationships. That means we meet people where they are at and we honor their strengths, even as we bring our expertise. When people TFP serves feel seen and their strengths are honored, you’d be amazed how they find a way where there was seemingly no way before. They break through barriers and create new legacies for themselves and their children.”

Ms. Linda Wilson, foster mother, shares how children in her care experience healing at The Family Partnership.

Ms. Linda Wilson has been a foster mother for over 32 years through Hennepin County, serving “more children than she can count.” Over the past twenty years, Ms. Linda has brought many of her children to The Family Partnership for mental health therapy.

I have witnessed firsthand the love, confusion, and distress of children in foster care as well as their parents as they went through times of displacement and uncertainty.

Ms. Linda Wilson, foster mother

Any child who has been taken from their home environment no matter how awful that environment may have been has experienced trauma. Whether from the actions of the home, family or situations or from the actual process and effects of the removal, they have gone through a traumatic experience.

When I first found The Family Partnership about 20 years ago, I knew I’d found a place for my children to experience healing through therapy. Many of my children have benefited tremendously from their time sorting out their emotions and life struggles with support from a therapist. Healing in therapy takes time but within a few months I would notice some positive changes in each of the children. Some changes happened slower than others, but change did happen.

Once, I remember a child who moved around like the tin man from Wizard of Oz, extremely tensed and rigid, totally stand offish and guarded. With support through mental health therapy at The Family Partnership, he slowly started to put down his walls and became more receptive to warm friendly conversations, smiles and interactions with people whom he came in contact with.

I am thankful for therapists like Ms. Ae (Dr. Ae as the kids and I call her) who have helped my children to heal from their heart and head hurts!”

Ae Vang, Outpatient Therapist, describes the way a 2gen approach builds on family strengths and leads to healing.

Ae Vang, MSW, LICSW, is an outpatient therapist with The Family Partnership (pictured here with her family). She works with children, adolescents, and adults, providing services in English and Hmong. Her experiences as the first-generation daughter of Hmong refugees and adult with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) impacted her decision to become a therapist. She has worked with many children and families, including Ms. Linda’s, utilizing a 2-generation or whole-family approach.

Even though I may be meeting with an individual child in therapy, this little person is part of an ecosystem.

Ae Vang, Outpatient Therapist

If that system is not stable, their healing process takes longer or in some cases it never starts because parents pull their kids from therapy. Without addressing stressors that parents face, therapy can become just another stressor. However, by utilizing a 2-generation approach, it allows conversations to take place that will not only help the child but the whole family heal.

One preteen client that I worked with had a disability due to illness. They spent a lot of time in isolation, appearing irritable, expressing suicidal ideation, and when asked to draw a self-portrait could only portray themself as a ghost or monster.

At first, I worked with just my client and their mom, but as I got to know the family better it became clear that Dad held the key to my client’s healing. Dad believed himself to be responsible for their disability, even though he made the best-informed decisions he could at the time. This had become his child’s whole identity to him—they were a reminder of his shame.

As I started working with both Mom and Dad on their grief, eventually Dad was able to change the narrative surrounding his family and be the support my client needed to overcome their struggles. Eventually my client graduated from therapy and started high school. Recently I received an update that they made a friend at school, something their parents did not think would happen because they had been a loner since starting kindergarten.

The Family Partnership’s 2gen approach affirms that all families have strengths, and my role as a therapist is to partner with families to build on those strengths.

I am happy to say that by practicing a two-generation approach in my work at The Family Partnership, I am working as a partner with parents towards the goal that nearly all share in bringing their children to therapy: to create a better future for them, and the generations to come.”

Dianne Haulcy announces The Family Partnership is prioritizing early interventions to preserve families and protect children from the trauma of separation.

Dianne Haulcy announces that The Family Partnership is exploring the possibility of becoming a Family Resource Center in South Minneapolis.

For 145 years, The Family Partnership’s work has reflected each generation’s evolving needs and goals.

Dianne Haulcy, President and CEO

Current research shows that toxic stressors like poverty, racism, and other forms of systemic injustice harm a pregnant parent and their baby’s developing brain and nervous system. The earlier we partner with parents and caregivers, the better for their children’s opportunities and outcomes.

As such, we’re exploring the possibility of becoming a designated Family Resource Center in South Minneapolis. This will allow TFP to provide additional services and resources beginning as early as pregnancy and birth that are proven to preserve families and protect children against the trauma of separation.

It’s true that most of the parents and caregivers we serve experience toxic stress, and many have also experienced trauma as children themselves. They want to disrupt the cycle—but they need some support to learn how. After all, “You can’t give what you never got.”

For most people, healing work is too heavy a burden to bear alone. No one should be expected to transmute their own pain, and the pain of their families, communities, and ancestors without support. Our work at The Family Partnership is to meet people where they’re at and honor their strengths—so they can face the past with courage and build toward a future with hope.

Valerie Kaur, in her book See No Stranger, talks about developing a revolutionary type of love that is not a culmination of emotions and romanticism but of “sweet labor,” something we choose to do every day. That is the kind of work all of us at The Family Partnership do, bringing people closer together to do the important work of healing.

Your support helps this generation to heal, so the next generation thrives.

Our partnerships make us strong. Consider a new or increased monthly gift in any amount, and your donation will be DOUBLED up to $50,000 until the end of May!

GIVE NOW

You can also check out our volunteer opportunities, donate your gently used clothes to our drop-in center, or fulfill items from our PRIDE wishlist on Amazon.

For more information on how to help generational healing in Minneapolis through The Family Partnership, contact Ashley Hemnarine, Development Director.

We recently interviewed Amber Pierce, artist, entrepreneur, and graduate of The Family Partnership’s Parenting for the Future (PFF) home visiting program, about her experiences with TFP’s 2Gen programs. Amber joined us with her three children, sitting near two of Amber’s recent artworks, including a large collage and acrylic painting of Simone Biles. In this piece, Biles’ stares straight ahead in concentration, and her strong legs are stretched out to the sides as if in flight. Amber’s daughter, Aadon, was seated in front of the painting with her face just inches from the canvas when she turned to say with a smile, “That’s my mom’s art.” Later, we mentioned this moment to Amber who laughed and said, “To them, I’m the biggest thing ever.”

Watching Amber with her children, she appeared confident and completely present in her interactions with them. But that was not always the case. In 2018, Amber had Aadon, who was two at the time, and found out she was pregnant with twins. She said, “I felt like I didn’t have any of the things I needed.” She was overwhelmed and lacked childcare and support. A social worker mentioned The Family Partnership and Amber reached out for help. Amber has struggled with depression since she was young and sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury in a car accident in 2006. As a result, Amber struggles with routine and consistency in her daily life.

Iman Omer, Parent Educator in Parenting for the Future, began working closely with Amber and her children in 2022, providing support and services following a two-generation (2Gen) approach. A 2Gen approach serves both the needs of children as well as the needs of their parents and caregivers, recognizing that both are essential to moving a family forward. As one of TFP’s 2gen programs, PFF works with parents who have cognitive limitations that affect their parenting. The program provides parenting education, community resources, and joint activities for parents and children so they can connect and strengthen their relationship. While working with the parents on their parenting skills, parent educators also work to make sure that the children are developmentally on-track.

Iman visited Amber and the children weekly in their home and used the Circle of Security Curriculum, an 8-week course to help parents and caregivers connect with their children. Iman and Amber did a lot of parenting education work together, too. When Iman introduced the Circle of Security to Amber, they discussed the importance of understanding and meeting her kids’ physical and emotional needs. This includes providing a secure base to support their exploration and providing a safe haven to welcome them back. Amber was always comfortable with welcoming her kids back and providing that safe haven but she struggled with supporting their exploration. Specifically, she didn’t always enjoy certain activities with them, such as going to the park, because she was exhausted. Iman worked with Amber to set up a plan and routine that would allow her to get rest and feel energized so that she could enjoy outdoor activities with her kids. This is the type of concrete guidance that Amber found to be especially helpful.

Iman worked with Amber to build a supportive environment for her family. She connected Amber with a cleaning service, helped find preschool care for the twins, and supported Amber in finding a therapist through The Family Partnership. In addition, Amber attended the bi-weekly parenting support group. Parent Educators facilitate this group for parents, foster parents, and caregivers participating in TFP programs and is an opportunity for participants to connect and support each other.

The parenting group was an outlet for Amber to get out of the house with Aadon which gave them both a sense of routine. With Amber’s cognitive challenges, routine is very helpful. The family participated in activities and field trips with other families in the parenting group, which Amber found to be very beneficial in terms of consistency and social interaction. The support group also provided families with resources, a meal, and activity time. TFP staff provided free childcare on site, allowing Aadon, and eventually the twins, to connect to other children. It also allowed Amber and other parents to connect with each other. She said that this support was essential for her, and it gave her children a mom who had a long-term support system.

Today, Amber has gained confidence in her unique skills and role as a mother. She described her mental health and cognitive differences as “different wiring,” and that “it’s been important to honor my neurodivergence. I’ve not always been successful working a 9-5 job, so, I went into entrepreneurship…I’m always looking at ways to advance myself.”

I am able, I have to find my own way to navigate the journey.

Amber Pierce

Amber’s career has grown out of art which has always been a passion for her.  She attended an arts and communications magnet school and later graduated from the Perpich Center for Arts Education. Amber found her voice working through her mental health issues and neurodivergence and creating art. “Art is an innate outlet for me.”

Amber uses collage and acrylic paints to create her pieces. She said she starts with a vision board and then “pours her intentions into the piece.” She asks herself, “Why am I creating this and what energy do I want to capture?”

Today, Amber has created an LLC called Creation Elevation and is working with a business coach. She hopes to continue to grow as an entrepreneur and would also like to include her family in her creative and entrepreneurial work.

Amber shares her story with others because she wants people to understand that “Neurodivergence is a wide spectrum and that people who struggle still want to make an impact on others.” She hopes to get rid of the stigma associated with mental health challenges and the need for support. She’s also vocal about the role that The Family Partnership played in her journey so far, “It gave my children kind of the peace of having a mom that had a support system and, for my mental health, to be able to parent them was really important to have that resource for me.” Amber’s experiences is just one example of how a 2Gen approach benefits the entire family.

If you or someone you know would benefit from our Parenting for the Future program and our 2Gen approach, you can find more information on the program’s webpage.

The Family Partnership is working with the Minnesota Department of Revenue to help spread the word about the new tax credits for individuals and families.  

Even if you do not have to file a Minnesota income tax return, you can still file to get tax benefits. There are five credits you may be able to claim that may help you pay less taxes and get a bigger refund. 

1. Minnesota Child Tax Credit  

If you have children, this tax credit can lower the amount you owe or give you a refund. 

Am I eligible for the Minnesota Child Tax Credit?  

You may qualify if: 

How much is it?  

The maximum credit is $1,750 per child under age 18 and there is no limit on the number of children.  

LEARN MORE 

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2. Minnesota Working Family Credit 

The Minnesota Working Family Credit gives tax relief to people whose income is below a certain level. This can reduce the amount you owe in taxes or give you a bigger refund. 

Am I eligible for the Working Family Credit? 

You may qualify if: 

How much is it? 

If your earned income is $8,750 or more, the credit depends on the number of qualifying children: 

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3. K-12 Education Credits 

Have you bought school supplies for your kids in kindergarten through high school? Save the receipts! There are two K-12 Education Credits that can result in savings for you.  

Last year, more than 17,500 families received the K-12 Education Credit and saved an average of $282. Over 138,000 families received the K-12 Education Subtraction with an average savings of $1,285. 

Am I eligible for the K-12 Education Credit or Education Subtraction? 

You may qualify if: 

What counts for this credit? 

Here are some examples of things that count: 

Are there income limits for these credits? 

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4. Property Tax Refunds for Homeowners 

If you are a homeowner, you might qualify for a property tax refund. 

Am I eligible for property tax refunds? 

There are two types of property tax refunds for homeowners: 

Unlike the regular refund, there is no income limit to claim the special refund. 

You may file for the Property Tax Refund on paper or electronically by August 15. You have up to one year after the due date to file. 

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5. Property Tax Refund for Renters 

If you are a renter and your household income is less than $73,270, you may qualify for a property tax refund for renters.  

What do I need to claim the refund? 

You may file for the Property Tax Refund on paper or electronically by August 15. You have up to one year after the due date to file.  

 

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You may also qualify for free tax help! Find free tax preparation information.

This information can be found in summary on our Minnesota Tax Credits page. You can also reach out to the Minnesota Department of Revenue for more information and help:  

Minnesota Department of Revenue 
Phone:  651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094 
Website: Minnesota Department of Revenue 

This service made available through a grant provided by the state of Minnesota. 

The Family Partnership recently kicked off a new series called “TFP Talks,” meant to provide unique, in-depth information on topics related to our mission and to strengthen our collective impact through thought, practice, and policy leadership. We called this event the “Minnesota Miracle” and focused on Minnesota’s nation-leading Spring 2023 legislative session wins for children and families, especially those living in low-income households. 

We welcomed speakers Erin Bailey, Assistant Commissioner of the Children’s Cabinet, Minnesota Management and Budget, and Arthur J. Rolnick, Associate Economist at the University of Minnesota, who presented with Dianne Haulcy, President and CEO of The Family Partnership, to discuss key wins and how community members can sustain and expand impact in the months and years to come. 

Read on to learn three key insights from TFP Talks: The Minnesota Miracle.

1. Minnesota’s investments in children and families yields public and private benefits 

Arthur J. Rolnick has been called a “folk hero of the movement” to expand investments in early childhood education. For over thirty years Rolnick has championed the Minnesota Model for Early Childhood Education, an early childhood intervention designed for long-term impact and high public returns. The model’s basis includes supporting parents and caregivers as early as prenatal care through home-visiting nurses and mentors, as well as scholarships for parents and caregivers to select high-quality early childhood education programs. 

During TFP Talks, Rolnick cited the 1962 Perry Project to provide concrete evidence of what an investment in high quality early childhood education can do.  

Decades after the study began, The Perry Project showed that investments in early childhood education programs led to benefits for children and children of the children including: 

According to Rolnick, the most impactful investments in early childhood must start early and the programs must be high-quality. Programs must prioritize children and families facing racial and economic barriers. In addition, family home visiting programs are essential to provide support to parents and caregivers as they guide their children’s education and development.  

As these children succeed, our community succeeds.

Arthur J. Rolnick,
Associate Economist at the University of Minnesota

2. Minnesota’s 2023 spring legislative session made history and national headlines 

For decades, Erin Bailey has believed passionately that children and families must be centered in government and that we need make systems easier to navigate for families. According to Bailey, the 2023 legislative session did just that, delivering on the promise of the Walz-Flanagan administration to make Minnesota the best place in the U.S. to raise a family. 

Bailey presented some of the wins for children and families from the 2023 legislation that passed: 

These investments will directly help families experiencing the most barriers in our communities and have garnered national attention and praise. Former President Obama addressed the results of the 2023 Minnesota State Legislature saying, “These laws will make a real difference in the lives of Minnesotans.” 

3. The Spring 2023 state legislative session supports generational healing for children and families in Minnesota 

Dianne Haulcy is a long-time children and families advocate who has direct knowledge of how these investments will impact the lives of families in Minnesota–especially those TFP serves.

Of the individuals and families that TFP serves: 

Children and families who participate in TFP’s programs will be directly and significantly impacted by the programs and funding from this legislative session. 

Dianne highlighted the following: 

Child Tax Credit 

Childcare Accessibility 

Childcare Worker Compensation 

Housing Access and Affordability 

Family Home Visiting 

How our community can sustain and expand impact in the months to come 

At the conclusion of our discussion, the speakers offered their thoughts on how community members can sustain this momentum and build on it to continue to support children and families in Minnesota.  

The legislation passed last spring will make a tremendous difference for children and families living in poverty. However, as Haulcy mentioned, nearly all families struggle to pay for childcare—families with more than one child can pay over 50% or more of their income in childcare.

The proposal to ensure that families would not pay more than 7% on childcare did not pass in 2023, but advocacy efforts are continuing in 2024. All presenters agreed low-income families had to be prioritized but hoped middle-class families will see more relief in the future.  

It can be easy to feel that your voice doesn’t matter but your advocacy, voice and stories matter.

Dianne Haulcy

Bailey noted that Minnesota will need to implement these programs and ensure that the funding reaches its targets. She said that the state plans to work with counties, tribal governments, and community organizations to guarantee success. Bailey also said that it is important to work with leaders and advocates like The Family Partnership that have a solid understanding of what families truly need. Data is important but stories are important too, because stories show how real people experience these wins. Without both, we cannot fully understand the impact of the landmark Spring 2023 legislative session in Minnesota. 

To learn more about upcoming opportunities for advocacy, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, or sign up for our newsletter. 

The community health fair began in 2022 when there was an Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak during the summer. Men having sex with men and people exchanging sex for money were at the highest risk for infection. The PRIDE team at The Family Partnership found that most people did not know about the outbreak or how to get treatment. 

Jake Woodward, PRIDE case manager, talks about the Community Health Fair

The PRIDE team worked with the Minneapolis MPox Task Force and M Health Fairview in conjunction with the Minneapolis Department of Health to host clinics in November and December 2022 for the Mpox vaccine. Those clinics turned out to be a good way to connect people to resources and health care, in a neighborhood where it was needed, and within an organization with trust.

Jake Woodward, the coordinator from PRIDE, knew this fair needed to provide more than just information. He wanted to make sure there would be direct services, connections, and items that people need. With that in mind, Jake worked with the other organizations to set up the Community Health Fair. 

The Family Partnership continues to host the Community Health Fair monthly and more organizations have joined. 

We provide services in a caring and respectful way. We know people face many barriers to care, and want to meet them where they are.

Jake Woodward, PRIDE case manager

Organizations involved

Services and resources available 

Blood pressure screenings, haircuts, and dental varnish are sometimes available as well. 

Items Available 

Community Health Fair Impact 

The Community Health Fair has been successful in getting people connected to care and support. At one of the first clinics, a person came in and completed a housing assessment. A month later, they were moving into housing. People have tested positive for HIV and STIs and then connected to service providers for ongoing care. People have been able to connect to PRIDE to make use of the drop-in center and those not eligible for PRIDE have been connected to other programs that can help depending on their needs. Some people have been able to get a phone to use as a backup when they are in unsafe situations. 

The Minneapolis Health Department values our partnership with The Family Partnership to provide free vaccines. We are seeing more people taking advantage of our clinics, especially those who need the services most. This is a direct result of our partnership that is keeping our communities safe and healthy.

Sebastiana Cervantes, Minneapolis Health Department

The Community Health Fair has strengthened relationships between service providers as well. Outreach staff from different organizations have been able to locate clients they are working with who may have been hard to find due to frequent encampment closures. PRIDE connected with with health outreach staff from Hennepin County which led to PRIDE having access to an on-call nurse. 

The Community Health Fair has had a big impact on members of the community and the organizations who serve them.  

The next Community Health Fair is on 12/5/23 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 1527 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55407.  

The Community Health Fair will continue in 2024. Visit our events page to find the dates once the schedule has been set.

We would like to introduce Jackie Perez, the Vice President of Community Programs who joined The Family Partnership in May of 2023. Jackie leads community programs including anti-sex trafficking services through PRIDE and Family Home Visiting programs. We asked Jackie to introduce herself and to share her vision for the programs she oversees. 

Tell us about your background and what drew you to The Family Partnership.  

Hello! My name is Jacqueline (Jackie) Perez and I have been working in the nonprofit field for 17 years now, 8 of those as a program administrator. I am originally from Los Angeles, California and I come from a Central American immigrant family – my mom is from Guatemala and my dad is from El Salvador.  

I was the first in my family to graduate high school and, growing up our family faced numerous struggles including financial instability, racism and other forms of discrimination. Fortunately, my parents were extremely supportive of me, and I had a few people in my life that guided and supported me along the way as well, which got me to where I am today.  

I obtained my BA in Education with a Sociology minor from California State University, San Marcos in 2006 and an MA in Health and Human Services Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2012. My personal experiences growing up left me with a desire to help others struggling to get by, which heavily influenced my career path.  

Throughout my years in the nonprofit sector, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in extensive DEI training and I’ve spent the greater part of my career supporting and advocating for BIPOC, migrant, refugee, LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized and underserved communities.  The Family Partnership’s reputation precedes it in the nonprofit world, given the amazing work the organization has done over the years so, when I saw there was an opening that I felt was a good fit for me, I jumped at the opportunity! 

How do you see your role as Vice President of Community Programs? 

It is also important for me to stay abreast of our ever-changing landscape. Change is constant and this means that it is important for me to stay informed and be aware of changes in the communities we serve, as well as changes in our participants’ needs, and to ensure we continue to provide culturally responsive, gender-affirming services.  

I believe it is my job to ensure that all the teams and programs under my umbrella have what they need to do the wonderful work they do! It is my job to support them by advocating for the populations we serve, communicating the needs of our participants to funders and policy makers, and by highlighting the significant impact our services make.

Jackie Perez, Vice President of Community Programs

Lastly, I am here for whatever my teams need. I believe in leading with an open mind and an open heart and I understand the importance of my teams’ health and well-being, so they can continue to support our communities. The work that we do is not easy, so it is important to remember to always put your own oxygen mask on first, before assisting others! 

This month, we are highlighting The Family Partnership’s anti-sex trafficking services through PRIDE as part of Give to the Max 2023. What made the biggest impression on you when you first started working with PRIDE? 

Definitely the team! Although all of my teams work hard, the PRIDE team is unique given the work that they do supporting survivors of sexual exploitation. This particular population has been used, abused and forgotten, and they are wary of others as a result. This means that building relationships takes time, patience and understanding, which can be a lot for one individual.  

However, the PRIDE Team works like such a well-oiled machine, not just supporting participants, but also each other. They have wisdom beyond their years, they are kind, and they are compassionate. They treat every single participant with the utmost respect and really, truly meet each participant where they are, and I hope they know how appreciated they are! 

What do you want people to know about the PRIDE program? 

I want people, not just potential participants, but partners, funders and policy makers, to know that we don’t just “talk the talk” at The Family Partnership, when it comes to anti-sex trafficking. We mean it when we say we meet people where they are, we mean it when we say everybody is welcome in our space and we mean it when we say we are here to disrupt demand and change systemic factors that lead to sexual exploitation and abuse.  

We believe that, in order to make progress towards ending commercial sexual exploitation, we need to address both, systemic racism and economic inequities and we are here and willing to do that work! 

Every dollar given between now and midnight on November 16th will be DOUBLED to help survivors of sexual exploitation in Minneapolis through PRIDE.

GIVE NOW

What are your goals for the programs you support? 

My goals for the programs I support are as follows: 

  1. To ensure we are able to provide top-notch services to all of our program participants. 
  1. To ensure staff have what they need, so they can focus on what matters most – the people we serve. 
  1. To successfully embed a 2Gen Approach into all of our programming, to ensure families have complete access to the services and resources they need in order to “build health and well-being” for generations to come! 

What would you say the number one priority is in the coming year? 

The number one priority for us in the coming year is to get fully staffed. We have some new Family Home Visiting programming with Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ). Our Healthy Families America program is partnering with NAZ’s doula program, which will help address health inequities for Black pregnant people during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. This partnership makes sure that families receive culturally-competent support as early as possible. 

We were also recently awarded a Promising Practices Grant, which will provide additional support to The Family Partnership so that we can expand our home visiting services. So, we are looking to hire two new family home visitors focused on providing services to families in our preschools, North Minneapolis Preschool and Four Directions. 

Our PRIDE program is also growing, so we are looking to hire a Mobility Mentor, a Case Manager and a PRIDE Therapist.   

There is lots of growth happening with The Family Partnership’s community programming, and I encourage anyone who wants to be part of our amazing team to review the current open positions and consider applying! 

This year we are raising $10,000 for Give to the Max in support of anti-sex trafficking services through PRIDE. Your gifts between now and midnight on November 16 will be DOUBLED up to $7,500. Click here to make a donation! 

Give to the Max Day is Thursday, November 16, 2023! This year we’re raising $10,000 to help survivors of sexual exploitation in Minneapolis. 

You don’t need to wait until the big day to make a difference. Any gift that you give between now and midnight on November 16 will be DOUBLED up to $7500, thanks to a generous matching donation from Allina Health Aetna. 

GIVE NOW

$32 helps open the doors of PRIDE’s drop-in center to people of ALL ages, genders, and sexualities 

Did you know that it costs just $32 to offer a week of anti-sex trafficking services through PRIDE for someone in the life? In 2024, we know that hundreds of people will visit our drop-in center for essentials like: 

These resources are not regularly available for many who are involved in commercial sex work. But thanks to your gift, people of all ages, genders, and sexualities can find rest and care through PRIDE. 

Your gift also helps to fund long-term case management for people who are navigating a winding road toward healing and growth including legal advocacy, support groups, transitional housing, and a crisis line. 

Your gift helps people like Emma to know they’re not alone 

Your gift for Give to the Max Day helps people like Emma, who first came to PRIDE when she was involved in the life of commercial sex work in Minneapolis seven years ago. 

Back then, Emma already had the potential to leave the life, live sober, reunite with her child, find stable housing, and pursue a college education. But she lacked one important thing that all the resources in the world could not give to her: Emma lacked belief in herself. 

Emma did not yet believe that she deserved to imagine a better life—or that she had the power to make that life a reality.  

Even though Emma was hesitant, she took a life-changing step when she walked through the drop-in center doors of PRIDE. There, Emma met case managers who never gave up on her and provided steady support and resources for each stage of her journey toward healing and growth. Emma stayed motivated through her many ups and downs with long-term case management and support groups. 

On the day when she learned to believe in herself, the resources available to Emma through PRIDE took root—and she began to bloom. 

I now know my worth and what I deserve.

Emma, PRIDE participant

Today, Emma is celebrating over two years of sobriety, living in a stable home, attending college, and working toward reunification with her child. Her mental health has significantly improved, and she recently told us, “I now know my worth and what I deserve.” 

Now through midnight on November 16th, your gift is DOUBLED! 

Emma’s story is just one of many, and your gift can be the difference for the next person who walks through our drop-in center doors. 

Now through midnight on November 16th 2023, you can make DOUBLE the impact this Give to the Max Day. Help to cover a week of services for community members in the Twin Cities who have experienced sexual exploitation to claim safe, vibrant, and self-sufficient futures.  

GIVE NOW

All gifts will be matched up to $7,500 between now and midnight on November 16, 2023, but only if you give! 

If you have ever exchanged sex for cash, drugs or shelter, you are welcome to visit the PRIDE drop-in center. If and are looking for a safe place to rest, take a shower, have a meal and connect with others, the PRIDE program can help. Our drop-in center in south Minneapolis is open most weekdays but hours may vary. There is no cost to you. 

Tour of the PRIDE Drop-in Center

Who We Are 

The PRIDE program has been around for over 40 years. We serve all people, no matter the age, gender or sexuality. We serve those with a history of sexual exploitation and those who are at risk.  
 

Our staff come from different cultures and have different lived experiences. There are men on staff so that male survivors can see themselves reflected in the PRIDE space, and to give participants of all genders a chance to build healthy relationships with men.  

Our staff work together to connect with you in meaningful ways. 

If you’d like to come just to shower and leave, we welcome you. If you’d like to stay all day and be around friendly faces, we welcome you. If you’re in danger and need somewhere safe, we welcome you. If you need long-term support, we welcome you. Whether you feel like you’re ready for change or just want to make it through the day, we welcome you, without judgement and ready to meet you where you are. 

What We Do 

You may have seen PRIDE staff doing outreach on the streets but there is also a drop-in center near E. Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue. 

At our drop-in center, you will find: 

You can take a 30-minute shower and take a nap. You can do up to two loads of laundry and take two donated outfits at a time from the clothing closet.  

A staff person is always available, so you can get what you need and feel welcomed and supported. 

Some of the services and resources we provide: 

Our approach to case management puts you in charge. You set your goals and PRIDE staff provide support and guidance when requested. You can change your life and staff can walk alongside you as you work toward those changes. 

What To Expect 

During our drop-in hours, you will enter the building and let the front desk know you are there for PRIDE. The front desk will then let PRIDE staff know and a staff member will come to meet you. Staff will introduce themselves and then make sure you are eligible. This is only to keep the drop-in center safe and confidential. 

Once in the drop-in center, staff will ask for some information to get to know you better and find out what you need. Once this short intake process is complete, you are welcome to use the space. 

Spots can fill up fast. If you come to the drop-in center and it’s full, staff will bring you some basic supplies and a snack. They will also let you know when space may be available. 

Questions? 

If you are in crisis, contact the Minnesota Day One® Crisis Hotline: 

Call: 1-866-223-1111 

Text: 612-399-9995 

For more information on the drop-in center or PRIDE’s services, call us at 612-729-0340.