Hennepin County Issues Mini Grants to Help Immigrant Communities
Hennepin County recently handed out micro-grants to help people in immigrant communities with mental health and housing stability issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eight community groups received grants, which total $3,000. Hennepin County’s Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) funds the program.
Brooklyn Park resident Cassandra Belyeu recently started the group Peace in the Valley. Her organization was awarded $425 through CHIP. Belyeu says the purpose of Peace in the Valley is to educate residents about COVID-19 and provide face protection for children living in the Autumn Ridge apartment complex in Brooklyn Park. She says she will use the funds to purchase 500 masks.
Cassandra’s granddaughter wearing a mask
“Some of these parents might not be able to afford them. So, I decided to put on an event to give away free masks to the children, along with education,” explained Belyeu.
The organization Africa, Let’s Talk also received almost $400. The group offers a weekly podcast that discusses issues facing the African community. It will use the grant money to produce two podcasts. The host of the programs, Collins Oppong, says mental healing during the COVID-19 pandemic is a hot topic.
Grant to Peace in the Valley will buy masks for Brooklyn Park apartment complex
“Wellness and mental health are very important, especially during this time and what’s going on with COVID,” said Oppong. “We wanted to keep our community informed and know how they can deal with certain traits and symptoms.”
The second round of grant applications is currently underway. The deadline to apply is Aug. 12.
