Highlighting Our Community Partner Grant Recipients – August
Each month we highlight Westminster’s community partner grant recipients. This August learn more about Better Futures and Project for Pride in Living.
Better Futures
by Todd Monson
Better Futures serves men returning from incarceration by providing physical and mental health support, skills building, transitional jobs, and job placement. Most of the men Better Futures serves are low-income and African American. Better Futures helps the men successfully re-enter society and gain employment to support their families and the community.
Better Futures will use the grant from Westminster to expand on-site food service so that every man receives hot meals daily. Pre-cooked meals provided by Appetite for Change are warmed onsite.
Better Futures recently won a 2021 Minnesota Environmental Initiative Award for diverting reusable materials from landfills as part of its building deconstruction business.
Project for Pride in Living
by Tracy Godfrey
Project for Pride in Living (PPL) builds the hope, assets, and self-reliance of individuals and families who have lower incomes by providing transformative affordable housing and career readiness services.
Begun 50 years ago to create affordable housing and revitalize central Minneapolis, PPL has grown to become a robust multi-service agency serving more than 8,000 low-income people annually. PPL is one of the top providers of affordable housing in Minneapolis, as well as offering career pathways programs, education, advocacy, and support to help empower people in the workforce.
PPL offers a variety of ways to get involved. Current volunteer needs include serving as a Mentor in PPL’s Scholars program through the school year, volunteering in PPL’s Access Program as a Career Readiness volunteer, or the Ready for Success program as a Personal Shopper volunteer. Those considering a longer-term commitment to a nonprofit might check out positions with the AmeriCorps Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) or internship positions at PPL. To learn more about PPL and how to get involved, visit their website.
