Benefit to the Community/Sustaining the Benefit Banyan has helped many neighborhood families and youth succeed in new ways, which has brought hope to other residents that they too, could finish school, successfully find employment, and achieve long-held goals for themselves and their families. Banyan's emphasis on education has helped families make school a priority, and many more youth are graduating from high school and going on to college as a result. These successful young adults inspire the younger children at Banyan, who are motivated to work hard in school and participate in the Banyan over the long-term. Now parents who have seen their own children go to college are expressing interest in additional schooling for themselves. The Banyan has helped to create this "cycle of success." The community-building work of the Banyan has helped neighborhood residents develop close relationships and work together on community issues. Many new block clubs have been formed in the neighborhood through the Banyan Lighthouse Network. The network trains residents in advocating and organizing, and they are learning how systems work. As a result, neighbors are working together to respond to crime, problem housing, and are planning and implementing events and community-building activities. Because the Banyan develops people, the benefit to the community can be sustained over the long-term. People are becoming educated, developing new life skills, developing critical relationships, and learning how to advocate for themselves. When the people are changed, the community is changed, and this change can continue over the long term.

Goals of the Organization The Banyan Community builds relationships with both youth and adults, serving a total of about 600 community residents annually, including 120 youth and 75 parents enrolled in programs at the Banyan facility. The overall goals of the Banyan are: • Provide opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills, engage in positive relationships with peers and adults, and have new experiences. • Provide academic support and accountability so that youth can succeed in school and proceed on to college. • Create an environment of support around youth, through the encouragement and investment of the adults in the community. • Strengthen families by connecting them to resources and helping them to avert crisis. • Connect neighbors to each other so they can build a strong community.

Low income, at risk youth grades Kindergarten to college, families and community members living in the East Phillips Neighborhood

Phillips Neighborhood of South Minneapolis