Community Engagement: December 2022

Published on December 16, 2022

Essentia Supports Well-Being in Duluth's Lincoln Park Neighborhood

A $10,00 grant was recently awarded to Northern Expressions Arts Collective (NEAC) to support their efforts of leading year-round programming for families and youth at Harrison Community Center in Duluth.

NEAC's Creativity in the Kitchen program provides fun and informative nutrition education to families that primarily live in a food desert. Additionally, NEAC offers art programs and a "playtime" series that connects kids and families to community leaders such as city officials and police officers. Essentia's contribution will help increase the quality of programming and subsidize costs to keep the programs affordable and accessible to all over the next three year.

Investing in Mental Health Programs 

Essentia Health employees keep making us proud by supporting multiple mental health organizations in the community. Here are a few of those programs:

• In Frazee, we awarded $25,000 to Cornerstone youth and community center, which provides a safe place and healthy food for children and teenagers.
• The Boys & Girls Club of the Northland in Duluth received $35,000 to help youth gain easier access to mental health services in a safe environment.
• FirstLink in Fargo received $25,000 to continue its free and confidential mental health helpline, which is accessible 24/7.

Revenue Services Team Supports Local Community Partners

Kudos to Essentia's Middle Revenue Services Holiday Giving Team who organized a holiday giving drive and raised $2,500 for three local non-profit organizations across Essentia's service area!

More than $800 was sent to Safe Haven in Duluth, Relationship Safety Alliance in Brainerd and Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo! Thank you for supporting our incredible community partners!