The Challenge, sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, is a new grant making initiative that supports efforts to strengthen social connections in low-income communities across Minnesota.
Vote for ESNDC by texting “Choice” to 83224; calling (612) 547-6145 or emailing connectforhealth@bluecrossmn.com. You may also vote online.
The ESNDC has named its project the East Side Community of Choice Initiative. Here’s what they have to say about it:
The East Side Community of Choice Initiative will bring diverse neighbors together in St. Paul’s Payne-Phalen neighborhood, a community that has been heavily affected by foreclosure and poverty. This project will host a variety of community-based activities such as Habitat for Humanity projects, a community parade involving local students, intercultural leadership circles, block-level vacancy watches with the St. Paul Police Department and healthy homes classes in English, Hmong and Spanish. Through this project, ESNDC hopes to see an increase in residents’ confidence in their community, increased intercultural interaction among neighbors and increased housing stability, as well as reduced student turnover in nearby schools, improved school performance and a reduction in crime.We hope you’ll consider voting for the East Side Neighborhood Development Company, which completed $7.6 Million of new capital investment on the East side in 2011 alone. You can learn more about ESNDC on their website.