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A Somali woman stands in her office. She wears a brown dress with white polka dots. Her long, curly hair falls around her shoulders. She wears clear-rimmed glasses and smiles.
Other nonprofit media Featured

More Somali therapists are entering the field, hoping to change the conversation around mental health

The generational divide between younger Somalis willing to seek out mental health services and their parents is a challenge practitioners are working to address.

Two people wear costumes, one looks like a turtle costume. They hold signs that say "No more fossil fuels."
Community voices Featured

Community Voices ⎸ Cycling infrastructure pays dividends

Creating more cycling infrastructure in cities is one part of the larger puzzle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Five women sit around a table. We see three of their backs, and the faces of two. One woman, wearing a black shirt and a black hat, speaks. A woman next to her looks at her while she talks.
Social Issues Featured

Brainerd students, residents build belonging with stories

Project Optimist partners with The Sowing Room and Central Lakes College on a belonging dialogue.

Nine people pose for a photo in front of banners for the two news organizations that co-hosted the event.
Community voices

Community Voices ⎸ Journalism is for everyone

We believe communities are stronger when people know how journalism works and participate in making journalism however they’re able.

A man lights a fire for a prescribed burn while firefighters watch.
wildfires Featured

Wildfire walk-and-talk set for May 31

Project Optimist and Hartley Nature Center will host the free event.

A woman smiles at the camera. She wears a black shirt. Her long, dark hair falls around her shoulders.
Social Issues

How Stearns County addresses domestic violence

The number of domestic violence cases has not decreased, but officials say the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership has reduced homicides and offered victims and offenders support.

Una mujer sostiene un ala de mariposa monarca sobre uno de sus ojos mientras mira a la cámara. Lleva un vestido naranja quemado. Tiene el pelo oscuro y rizado.
Art

Preguntas auténticas guían al artista de Northfield

Los documentales de Cecilia Cornejo Sotelo se enfocaron en la comunidad tras mudarse a Minnesota. Desde entonces, sus proyectos han adoptado nuevas formas, como la narración y el bordado.

A woman holds a monarch butterfly wing over one of her eyes as she looks at the camera. She wears a burnt orange dress. She has dark, curly hair. It looks like she's sitting outside.
Art

Genuine questions guide Northfield artist

Cecilia Cornejo Sotelo’s films became community-focused after she moved to Minnesota. Since then, her projects have taken on new forms, such as storytelling and embroidery.

Six people sit in chairs along a wall. They are all dressed in business casual attire. They wear blue identification badges. They are part of a panel discussion at COP29.
Community voices

Community Voices ⎸ Climate change makes water insecurity worse in the Global South

Without the money and resources that the Global North has, countries in the Global South are not able to adapt to or fight back against the impacts of climate change.

Eleven Latina women sit around a table and face the camera. Many are smiling. They are gathered for a support group.
Social Issues

Can community-led initiatives bridge Minnesota's Latino mental health gap?

While Minnesota’s Latino population surged by nearly 38% from 2010 to 2020, the mental health system has not kept pace.

Miembros de un grupo de apoyo para mujeres latinas posan para una fotografía.
Social Issues

¿Pueden las iniciativas comunitarias cerrar la brecha de salud mental para los latinos en Minnesota?

Aunque la población latina de Minnesota aumentó casi un 38% entre 2010 y 2020, el sistema de salud mental no ha logrado mantenerse al día.

An illustration of a boreal chorus frog.
Art

Drawn by Nature: Frog chorus signals healthy ecosystem

Some of Minnesota’s tiniest frogs make big sounds, often before ice is out on most lakes.

An illustration of two people working remotely on a project.
Community voices

Community Voices ⎸ Project Optimist joins The 19th News Network

Here's what the partnership means for Project Optimist.

A nursing student administers medication to a mannequin patient while two people say their goodbyes during a training exercise.
End-of-Life

Greater Minnesota students prepare to serve grieving patients, families

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University trained nursing students how to care for dying patients and their families.

A graphic that includes the recycling symbol and says "Learn about recycling in Minnesota"
Recycling

Experts dive into Minnesota's Extended Producer Responsibility law

Catch a replay of the panel discussion, or read the highlights.

A man adds buckthorn brush to a lit biochar kiln as another man watches in the background. They are standing in a wooded area in a regional park.
Environment

How a Minnesota nonprofit makes biochar

Project Optimist tagged along with nonprofit Great River Greening during a biochar demonstration on March 17. Here's how it works.

🚀Community voices | Meet KZYS, Project Optimist’s partner in the Central Minnesota News Collaborative
Somali

🚀Community voices | Meet KZYS, Project Optimist’s partner in the Central Minnesota News Collaborative

Ten-plus years ago the St. Cloud Somali Community Radio began broadcasting local news to thousands of Somali speakers in central Minnesota. This month Project Optimist and KZYS are launching the new Central Minnesota News Collaborative, designed to strengthen local news through partnerships.

Red prayer candles are lit with an image of Mary in the background at a Catholic church.
End-of-Life

‘Temples of the spirit’: A Catholic take on end-of-life plans

“Our belief is that we're temples of the Holy Spirit. The body that we have is where the Holy Spirit has lived,” said the Rev. Tony Wroblewski.

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