Our Story
Shortly after the death of George Floyd, members of ITAV offered assistance to anyone who needed food or personal care items. COVID-19 had already taken a toll on an area with few resources for adults, much less kids – no bike stores, coffee shops, skating rinks, skating parks, playgrounds, ice cream stores, additional grocery stores, bakeries, flower shops, or home goods shops for the community.
A sidewalk corner on 35th and Penn Avenue North and eventually an unoccupied building adjacent to us became our unofficial goodwill business. Adults came to collect items, but kids came and many stayed and helped in the endeavor for their own community, all the while creating indelible connections with our staff. Because of those connections, and the growth of the kids – learning respect, responsibility, work ethic, and leadership skills - it took no more than three weeks for us to envision It Takes A Village.
It Takes a Village Minneapolis, a nonprofit 5013c, exists to elevate the educational and emotional success of families living in the Northside Cleveland Community. We’re committed to empowering those children and nurturing a love of learning through individualized education with dedicated tutors.
Once online-learning was announced in the Minneapolis school district, ITAV solidified an educational support program for the community’s children. We offered free on-site computers, a printer, 5G internet, school supplies, and some basic necessities to make learning a priority – snacks, clothing and personal care items. With the support of the Cleveland Neighborhood Association, we used a small, safe space to call home for about a year inside their offices at 3333 Penn Ave. North (attached to Lucy Laney Elementary School). Since the beginning of our program, we have outgrown this space and looking for a new home. We plan to continue to look at larger options so we can impact more children and entertain other student growth opportunities – creative, business and/or athletic - for weekend and summer programming.
It’s often said that our children are our future and it takes a village to raise a child. We believe in these well-worn tenets and want to do anything we can to remove the educational hurdles the children of the Cleveland community face, so together, as a village, we all face a brighter future in 55412.
Give every child a chance to grow and reach their fullest potential
It Takes A Village has a mission to reach the neighbors in this community by working with youth and their families. As an often forgotten area of North Minneapolis that is outside of many of the already created funding zones, we believe it is important to be present in the area where we started at 35th and Penn and are committed to the community in this Cleveland neighborhood. Our mission is to give every child a chance to grow and reach their fullest potential by providing a space to learn, explore, and have fun.
BELL LOFTS RESIDENTS
On Dec, 28th 2022, the Historic Bell Lofts residents were displaced due to a pipe bursting dispersing 40,000 gallons of water to flood the building. These 21 families have lost EVERYTHING. The building has been condemned leaving at least 51 men,women,and children without a home. It Takes A Village has been working around the clock to help these families recover housing, necessities, mental health counseling, etc. and WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please donate to help continue our mission.
Meet Our village
It Takes a Village has a group of dedicated volunteers who share in a mission to make a difference in the lives of youth and families in North Minneapolis. We believe that just because you live in the zip code area 55412, doesn’t mean you should have less opportunities or support than your peers from other surrounding communities. As members of It Takes a Village, we believe in working together, sharing our gifts and talents to serve this community, and building strong relationships with familes so they know how much we believe in them so that they can reach their goals individually and collectivelly.
Dyonyca Conley-Rush | Founder/Director
414-519-1090 | dconleyrush@ittakesavillagemn.org
I want to be a part of this “Village” because I feel opportunities should be accessible to all and not determined by your zip code. The Northside of Minneapolis has been in a sense of despair from poverty and lack of resources which puts youth and families at a disadvantage. ITAV is not only a place of resources, but a beacon of HOPE. We give people a hand up versus a hand out by teaching self-sufficiency while interacting with different cultures. ITAV wants to build a bridge back to this area by having a sense of community and love for neighbors. I personally had a village growing up and fondly remember how special and protected I felt to know that beyond my parents I still had a sense of love and care from the elders in my neighborhood. THIS is why I believe in the mission of ITAV and strive hard to make a difference.
Cynthia Conley-Rush | /Director of Youth Programming