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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Spring is within reach, the state is making great strides towards vaccination its goals (and addressing equity issues, which have been a concern for many of us), and major policy priorities are moving forward at the county (on climate action, shelter and affordable housing investment, and more). The trial of Derek Chauvin weighs on us all – be sure to read about resources highlighted below.
As the state updates guidelines for businesses and gatherings, please continue to socially distance, wear masks, and wash hands.
Hennepin County remains dedicated to building a county in which everyone thrives. Please don't hesitate to connect with my office with questions or comments.
My best,
Information from Hennepin County
Trial Page: https://www.hennepin.us/media/chauvin-trial
HC Mental Health Resources: George Floyd’s death, the events of last summer, and the ongoing reckoning with race that our nation is experiencing are traumatic for many in our community. The Chauvin trial will no doubt compound that trauma.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and wellbeing during this time, Hennepin County Government has a strong network of community organizations and non-profits that can help. Find the full list here, under “Mental Health”: https://www.hennepin.us/.../emergencies/community-resources
Information from the City of Minneapolis
A new City web resource offers information and updates around the trial of Derek Chauvin. The web pages will be updated as new information becomes available and as situations change.
City information and links to partners in the new web section will help residents, businesses and others:
- Find current street closures.
- Sign up for trial updates from MN District Court.
- Report suspicious activity.
- Look up mental health and well-being resources for support during traumatic times.
Residents can also explore ways to stay informed, learn about security updates during the trial, follow impacts to traffic and transportation, and find public data on the officers involved.
Read MPR's coverage of the Floyd family and the City of Minneapolis' $27m civil settlement here.
Hennepin County Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) invites residents living in Hennepin County to apply for a mini grant of $250 to $500 to address racial disparities in community mental wellbeing and housing stability. A total of $3,000 is available in this round.
Applications are due Tuesday March 23, 2021 at 4 PM. We hope to notify applicants selected for funding within 21 days of approval, depending on the number of applications received.
Eligible areas of focus:
- Provide a creative solution related to stress and trauma happening in your community right now
- Provide creative support to a need in your spiritual, faith or cultural community
- Provide a creative solution to needs people have in your community as they struggle to pay rent, buy food and other necessities
- Provide a creative solution to increase social connectedness in your apartment building or housing complex as we continue “social distancing” in 2021
Learn more here.
Background and Funding Purpose
As the anniversary of George Floyd’s death approaches along with the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in his killing, we know that our community is hurting. The horrific events of last year are still very much with us, and many community members will be paying close attention to the trial and its outcome. During this difficult time, the Minneapolis Foundation wants to help ensure that people have places to gather safely and resources available to promote connection and healing.
This funding opportunity is designed to support gatherings and activities to address community trauma and promote wellness among Minneapolis youth and adults. Here are some examples of activities they’re interested in supporting:
- Healing spaces that provide a safe place for community members to cope as the trial unfolds.
- Activities that promote wellness and help manage stress and trauma.
- Art, poetry, writing, and other creative actions that provide opportunities to process, reflect, and consider our path forward as a community.
The Foundation welcomes ideas and additional input about what’s needed to diffuse anger and pain and promote wellness and healing in our community this spring. They want to support people and organizations that are already deeply connected in the community. These dollars are not for newly established efforts, but to strengthen existing relationships and networks. Organizations are encouraged to consider what they need in order to host gatherings that support social distancing and safety as we grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more: Fund for Safe Communities Micro Grants
Black Table Arts in Partnership with Million Artist Movement, Tru Ruts & Catalyst Arts, and RARE Productions are holding intentional Black Space centering Wellness, Togetherness, and Creative Expression. Events are still being finalized but current offerings are below and will happen in person (with Covid safety protocol) at Black Table Arts located at 3737 Minnehaha Avenue So, Mpls, MN. They are inter-generational and run from 6:00-8:00pm. Black joy activities will happen in our main gathering area and there will be meeting rooms for processing and conversation.
Thursday March 11: Creating a Community Altar
- Thursday March 18: Ancestors and Affirmations
- Thursday March 25: Movement and Meditation
- Monday March 29: ‘Ode to George’ Creative writing Circles
- Thursday April 1: Sowing Seeds
Learn more on the Black Table Arts website here.
Don’t let COVID-19 take your home: The deadline to apply is Friday, March 19 at noon.
Apply now for emergency rent assistance from Hennepin County. Households with unpaid rent and low incomes may qualify for help paying for rent and utility bills.
Apply now
This is an initial short-term program to get urgent help to households with high need. More help will be offered to even more households through a statewide COVID-19 Emergency Rent Assistance program opening later this month.
Rent is still due during the State of Minnesota’s evictions moratorium. You can’t be evicted for not paying rent under Governor Walz’s executive order, but this order may be lifted soon and you will be at risk of eviction if you have unpaid rent. Don’t wait to apply for help.
Keep Safe While Waiting for Vaccinations
With the welcome news that vaccinations have begun against the coronavirus, we also know the demand for vaccine far outpaces the supply. The entire distribution process will take time.
While we wait throughout this process, public health experts remind us to keep protecting ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors by doing what works:
- Wearing a mask, washing your hands, maintaining social distance, and staying home when you feel sick.
Getting a free COVID-19 test. Testing is encouraged and available to everyone, whether or not you have symptoms. It’s one of the best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help prevent exposing your loved ones to the virus. Find more information about how to get a test on the Hennepin County COVID-19 Website.
COVID-19 quarantine and isolation calculator now available in multiple languages
Have you recently been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19? This new calculator will help you decide if you need to quarantine or isolate and for how long: https://covidcalculator.hennepin.us
Español: ¿Ha estado expuesto o ha dado positivo por COVID-19? Para saber más si necesita estar en cuarentena o en aislamiento y por cuánto tiempo.
Hmoob: Koj puas tau nyob ze cov neeg raug tus kabmob los sis mus kuaj tau tus kabmob COVID? Kawm kom paub yog hais tias koj yuav tau mus nyob twj ywm rau hauv tsev los sis mus nyob hauv tsev ceev koj tus kheej thiab yuav tau nyob ntev npaum li cas.
Soomaali: Ma la kulantay qof qaba amase laga helay COVID-19? Baro haddii aad u baahan tahay inaad is karantiishid ama gooni u joogtid iyo mudadu intay le’eg tahay.
Request masks and hand sanitizer for your organization
Masks help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Get masks for your organization. Thank you for encouraging those around you to wear a mask for the health and safety of all.
Request masks for your organization today: bit.ly/hccovidsupplies
Get help remaining in isolation
If you’re a Hennepin County resident who has recently tested positive for COVID-19 and need help remaining in isolation email essentialservices@hennepin.us or submit an essential services request online.
Elevate Business HC offers free support to businesses impacted by COVID-19
COVID-19 has created many challenges for small businesses in Hennepin County. Through Elevate Business HC, Hennepin County businesses impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to receive pro-bono one-on-one business consulting and technical assistance from a variety of professional service providers.
Some of the services offered include:
- COVID-19 protocols
- Employment law
- Insurance policy review
- Virtual employee engagement and retention
- Social media, website and e-commerce
- Financial analysis
- And more
Learn more, register, and be paired with a technical assistance provider now: https://www.elevatebusinesshc.com/home.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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