Our commitment to racial equity
North Hennepin Community College stands firm against racism and all forms of human oppression. The circumstances surrounding Mr. George Floyd’s death, an unarmed African American man, are deplorable. As a college committed to racial equity, we acknowledge the trauma that this incident causes all of us, so we take this time to recognize the fullness of human value and reinforce to you our commitment to racial healing and upholding anti-racism practices.
While higher education alone cannot solve all societal forms of racism, oppression, and trauma, we do serve as an institution of higher learning and civic engagement. As such we will continue to work toward illuminating systems of racial inequity within our own community so that together we can continue dismantling all forms of oppression that adversely affect our community of students. We extend our deepest condolences to the Floyd family.
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Campus Statement
September 23, 2020
Black lives matter. Black lives matter at North Hennepin Community College. Today, the grand jury in Ms. Breonna Taylor’s case announced that none of the police officers involved in her fatal shooting would be directly indicted for her death. In March of this year, Ms. Taylor, an African American woman, was fatally shot by Louisville officers during a raid of her apartment. While there are many details to her case that we may never know, the fact remains that another Black life has been lost without any accountability. As President of North Hennepin Community College, I reaffirm our commitment to racial justice. As a college, we stand in solidarity with Black women whose lives, voices and experiences with oppression and racial injustice are too frequently overlooked. We stand in solidarity with the African American community which continues to experience trauma through racism. We also stand in solidarity and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms. Breonna Taylor. North Hennepin Community College remains steadfast in its charge to stand against racism and all forms of human oppression. We will persist with our work of truth, racial healing and transformation. We will also continue to provide racial healing spaces for our students, employees and community.
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Community Resources
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Free Resources for Mental Health
United Healthcare EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HELP LINE FOR ALL STUDENTS
Their toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to any student.
Walk-in Counseling Center: Services are moving to online counseling and remains free. Sessions will be available via Zoom.
United Way: The Help and Crises Line assists in finding the right resource for you. Call the United Way at 211 from a landline or 651-291-0211 from a cell phone.
7 Cups: Online text chat with a trained listener for emotional support and counseling. Also offers fee-for-service online therapy with a licensed mental health professional. Services and website also offered in Spanish.
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County Crisis Services
COPE: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis in Hennepin County, this mobile team will come to your site to provide face-to-face assessment and resources within two hours. Call 612-596-1223.
Every county in Minnesota has a mental health crisis intervention outreach resource for adults.
Anoka: 763-755-3801
Carver/Scott: 952-442-7601
Dakota: 952-891-7171
Washington: 651-275-7400
Suicide Hotline: Call 1-800-273-8255 or text “Start” to 741-741
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Resource Links for Self-Care
Mental Health Resources
Meditation Exercises
Phone Apps
Books
- Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma by Dr. Gail Parker
- Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience by Sheila Wise Rowe
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Food Resources
CEAP: Food resources in Brooklyn Center.
The Food Group: (formally Food-Shelf Network) - Local food shelf and mobile market.
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Financial Hardship
Community Action Partnership: Energy Assistance in Hennepin County. Find out what government benefits you might be eligible for . at Benefits.gov.
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Other Resources
MN Department of Education: Comprehensive and extensive list of valuable resources.
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Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Institute
The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) selected North Hennepin Community College to participate in their Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Institute June 16-19, 2020. The selection partners us with AAC&U to maximize equitable community building through racial healing using the TRHT framework. NHCC will receive a network of support and national evaluators to guide the development of purposeful action that dismantles racial hierarchies and structural barriers, both within the campus and local community. NHCC was selected based on our demonstrated commitment to racial equity.
Representatives include:
• NHCC Associate Vice President of Equity & Inclusion, Dr. Eda Watts
• Brooklyn Park Assistant City Manager, Wokie Freeman-Gbogb
• NHCC Chief Human Resource Officer, Vickie DeFord
• NHCC-MSCF Chapter President, Sara Van Asten
• NHCC Director of Access Services and Tutoring, Tom Lynch
• NHCC Dean of Student Development, Lindsay Fort
• NHCC Interim Dean of Fine Arts, Languages and Communications, Kathy Hendrickson
• NHCC Dean of Science, Math and Health Science, Jayant Anand
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Diversity & Social Justice Events
An outcome of the Truth and Racial Healing Transformation Institute is the intentionality to engage our community in race-based discussions. The purpose is to begin the process of healing through spaces that promote perspective sharing. The goal is to ultimately move our community toward transformative action that deconstructs racial hierarchy. Learn more about employee and student opportunities hosted by Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
8th Annual Community Forum on Race - All are welcome!
Thursday, April 22, 6:30pm
RSVP for more information and to get the Zoom link
This year’s theme is: Being a fair witness of pain to hold space for healing
Keynote speaker: Dr. Aja King
Dr. King is a Counseling Psychologist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with over 20 years of mental health experience. She is the creator of Brave Defiance Consulting, which leads community initiatives using transformative coaching, one-on-one training, and leadership development. Dr. King currently serves as the chairperson for the City of Brooklyn Park’s Human Rights Commission.
Her presentation will be followed by facilitated small group conversations.
Partners: City of Brooklyn Park, City of Maple Grove, Community Mediation and Restorative Services, Inc. Hennepin Technical College, North Hennepin Community College, Northwest Suburban Integration School District, Osseo Area Schools Community Education
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Racial and Social Justice Leadership Scholarship
North Hennepin Community College is offering two $1,000 scholarships to students who promote leadership and are actively engaged in racial and social justice advocacy. Click here to donate. Click here to apply!
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Our COVID-19 Anti-Stigma Statement
North Hennepin Community College, as a diverse, equitable and inclusive community, is committed to upholding a campus culture that is respectful and welcoming. Learn more about our anti-stigma statement.
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Learn More