Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Connections to Independence
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 310 E 38th Street
City: Minneapolis
State: MN
Postal Code: 55409
Main Phone: (612) 986-4165
Main Fax: (612) 354-2785
Organization Website: c2iyouth.org
Employer ID Number: 80-0542940
Organization Tax Status: Connections to Independence

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/18/2025
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Housing Stability Program Housing Stability Program Housing Stability Program
Project Description:

Connections to Independence (C2i ) is a community-based organization whose mission is to provide unique programming and advocacy for foster youth, ages 14-25, to promote a successful and healthy transition to living independently as they reach adulthood.
The program/project this grant will support is entitled Direct Impact: Housing Stability Program.
The purpose is to provide C2i youth with a safe and supportive living environment. Youth are required to be enrolled in a postsecondary institution and employed at least part time. Youth rent a room in a supportive home environment with others. They share common space as they learn how to live with one another. They participate in household chores (indoors and out) and pay rent and bills on time as they navigate living independently.
The goals of the program are to:
Address racial disparities in housing
Create housing access to vulnerable populations as they transition from foster care (including fosters with children)
Direct financial assistance (including incentives and work opportunities)
Continue to deliver programming that includes pathways to stability in housing
Work towards independence and even home ownership
To ensure our ability to meet our clients’ housing needs, Connections to Independence owns and manages six (6) permanent supportive apartments. C2is also maintains strong working relationships with local landlords housing foster youths throughout the Twin Cities.
Connections to Independence operates homes in the following locations:
Historic Rondo Community of St. Paul, located on St. Albans Avenue, serving up to four females, equipped with an emergency bed.
North Minneapolis is located on Humboldt Avenue, serving a family of two.
North Minneapolis is located on Queens Avenue, serving a family of three.
Sheridan Place is a duplex for a single renter.
Cedar Lake Place 2-bedroom, single occupant, also used for emergency shelter.
Uptown Condo, two units, with emergency efficiency.
C2i’s approach to “housing stability” is through the lens of homelessness prevention. We are intentional about preparing the whole person rather than just focusing on how to obtain and sustain housing. Young people often come to us mistreated and hesitant to trust anyone. Our team is trained on how to create and build trusting relationships through a youth- and trauma-centered approach. Everything we do at C2i is about relationship building with each other, other youth, their families/support networks, and community. Then the work begins:
Youth at C2i attend weekly Independent Living Skills (ILS) programming in our five core areas of education, employment, housing, financial wellness, and personal wellness. The ILS component is typically for our 14-18-aged youth.

Total Project Budget: $360,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Pohlad Family Foundatied (C0mmitted), GTCUW Pathways Home (Committed), Otto Bremmer Foundation: (Potential (Past Funder), WCA Foundation: Potential (Past Funder) GTCUW Pathways Hom: Committed Otto Bremer Foundation: Potential (Past Funder) WCA Foundation: Potential (Past Funder)

Project Duration: Standard/Yearly
Geographical Area Served: Minneapolis-Hennepin County & St. Paul, Ramsey County
Age Group To Be Served: 14-25

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): MS.
Contact First Name: Jessica
Contact Last Name: Rogers
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: (612) 986-4171
Contact Email: jrogers@c2iyouth.org