MANKATO, Minn. — On Thursday, September 19th, COPAL MN celebrated the third anniversary of its South Central Initiative, bringing together key partners, funders, donors and elected officials to its Mankato office. The event highlighted three years of pivotal achievements and victories that have improved the lives of Latines in the South-Central region of Minnesota.
The South Central Initiative launched in 2021 in response to the disproportionate challenges faced by Latines in Greater Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the initiative has built a base of 25 active leader members, hosted 40 vaccination events that provided over 1,000 community members vaccines, and knocked on the doors of more than 900 Latine family homes to engage in one-on-one conversations about community needs, health and wellness campaigns, elections, and other resources.
By addressing pressing issues, such as environmental justice and economic equity, the initiative has played a crucial role in advancing opportunities and building more resilient, dignified communities throughout the region. Its most impactful achievements include:
- Coordinating driving manual classes to prepare our communities to pass a driver’s test.
- Implementing “Promotores de Salud,” a program designed to foster community leadership by educating members on preventative health solutions.
- Expanding its reach and services to 11 counties in South Central Minnesota.
“We have listened to the concerns of Latines in South Central Minnesota, understood their needs and aspirations, and provided resources and the collective power that generates a dignified life that we all deserve,” said Lourdes Menjivar, Regional Director of the South Central Initiative.
The South Central Initiative has also achieved meaningful legislative victories, such as the One Economy for Minnesota campaign which makes it easier for renters without Social Security numbers to secure housing. This campaign began in Mankato to address the housing difficulties of our community members. This year, with unwavering commitment from COPAL as a member of the Vida Digna Coalition, the law passed, removing the obstacles preventing ITIN holders from renting a home.
“We joined our partners HACER and LatinoLEAD in launching the One Economy for Minnesota campaign, to make sure that we don’t have a second shadow economy keeping people from thriving,” said COPAL’s Organizing Director, Ryan Perez.
The Initiative’s leaders have organized impactful campaigns and workshops centered on community health, mental health and leadership. At the anniversary celebration, the Initiative recognized five community partners who have helped make that possible: Open Door Health Center, Minnesota State University Mankato, YWCA-Mankato, KMSU Radio and Market Mi Pueblo.
“These partners have ensured the South Central Initiative can provide necessary resources, clinics, and community connections for Latines in our region,” Menjivar said. “Their contributions have helped change lives by improving our communities’ health, knowledge, employment opportunities and leadership skills.”
The South Central Initiative remains committed to furthering COPAL’s mission of creating a more equitable and inclusive Minnesota. The Regional Initiative is working to bring new programs for a Workers’ Center to Mankato, just like the programs COPAL currently offers in Minneapolis. In addition, the South Central Initiative is excited to get started on a new Knowledge Test Center approved for Driver and Vehicle services in the Mankato office space.
Find more photos from the celebration here.
COPAL Minnesota is a nonprofit organization driven to improve the quality of life for Minnesota’s Latine communities. For more information, please visit www.copalmn.org