COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT – July 2022
NORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE is this month’s featured organization. All featured organizations can be found in the CIC Resource Guide.
Note that CIC cannot vouch for the organizations on this list.
Northside Achievement Zone
Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) is a North Minneapolis organization fighting generational poverty and closing the achievement gap by ensuring that all low-income children of color have a path to college and career success.
NAZ works with local organizations and caregivers to provide multifaceted, consistent support to youth from early childhood through high school graduation and beyond. Their services include scholarships for early-childhood education, out-of-school reading and math support, community wellness initiatives, parenting workshops, housing stabilization, financial literacy training, and career preparation. They also coordinate advocacy and policy improvement programs to work towards supporting the needs of all students on a systemic level.
Families can enroll in NAZ for free. Upon enrollment, caregivers and their children are connected with a family achievement coach who will help them develop a plan for supporting their scholar. NAZ provides comprehensive support for the family’s needs, from food deliveries to after-school programming to career coaching.
NAZ coordinates a collective of North Minneapolis organizations, establishing a wide network of support for the needs of their scholars. Partner organizations include Twin Cities RISE, Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts, Reading Partners, and Project for Pride in Living.
NAZ understands that supporting youth means supporting their families and their community. The Family Academy provides caregiver-specific support groups and workshops where adults can learn more about supporting their children. The Family Academy also hosts support groups for youth where NAZ scholars can connect and learn about their post-graduation opportunities. Youth workshops and achievement coaches work to dismantle the belief gap, helping students to see college as a vital and achievable part of their future.
Staff and partner organizations work with scholars to establish consistency, support, and personal relationships. They believe that youth should be reminded daily that they are smart, capable, and worthy of love and respect. Scholars find success through NAZ by accessing resources that can help them positively redirect their educational experiences and their lives.
NAZ is a strong resource for North Minneapolis youth looking for a comprehensive system of support as they work towards academic and career success.
You can learn more about their range of programming, view NAZ success stories, and learn how you can access their resources by visiting Northsideachievement.org, emailing communications@thenaz.org, or calling (612)-521-4405.
For more information on standout community organizations visit https://cicmn.wpenginepowered.com/resource-guide/ or follow the CIC Facebook and Instagram pages for weekly featured organizations.