This bill, S.F. No. 1967, proposes funding for a workforce development initiative aimed at violence prevention in North Minneapolis. The initiative, organized by Change Starts With Community, will focus on job training and mentorship programs tailored for at-risk youth and adults, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Key Provisions:

1. Program Objectives:

   • Year-round job training and mentorship for at-risk youth and adults.
     
   • Creation of onsite job opportunities at Shiloh Cares Food Shelf and Northside Community Safety Resource Center to boost economic development and community engagement.

2. Partnerships:

   • Collaboration with the Cargill Foundation to provide educational field trips and career exposure opportunities for youth.
     
   • Utilization of the Change Starts With Community Agrihood garden to help prevent trauma and engage youth.

3. Job Creation:

   • The grant funds will help expand staffing, including positions such as adult and youth food service workers, an executive director, an operations director, a program coordinator, and a food shelf manager.

4. Reporting Requirement:

   • Beginning in 2025, the organization must submit an annual report to the Minnesota Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development detailing how the funds were used, along with program outcomes and impact.

Funding Appropriation:

• $1 million in fiscal year 2026 and $1 million in fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund.
• The funds will be allocated as a grant to Change Starts With Community to support a violence prevention jobs program.

Purpose:

The bill aims to address youth violence and economic instability by providing mentorship, job training, and employment opportunities to individuals at risk, with a focus on BIPOC communities in North Minneapolis.