The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) exists to permanently close the achievement gap and end generational poverty in North Minneapolis. Together with our partner organizations, we are walking side by side with low-income families as they put their children on a path to college.
NAZ has a game-changing approach that is closing the achievement gap. NAZ’s wraparound framework effectively supports low-income children of color so that they will graduate from high school prepared for college.
In this MinnPost article, NAZ CEO Sondra Samuels and Ramsey County Commissioner Nicole Frethem urge the Minnesota Legislature to make the most of an unprecedented state budget surplus to invest in systemic changes to Minnesota’s early care and education systems. They advocate for providing the infrastructure to make progress toward affordable, accessible and high-quality early care and education for every Minnesota child.
CEO Tom Steinmetz of The Washburn Center for Children (a NAZ Anchor Partner) talked with Kare 11 about the day treatment options for kids and families in search of stability during a mental health crisis. “Each day, there are about 60 kids who are coming to us from all over Minneapolis,” said Washburn CEO Tom Steinmetz. “Why day treatment is so unique and so important is it provides this intensive therapeutic support in a group setting, while the kid can still keep going to school and stay with their family.”
CEO Sondra Samuels and NAZ Director of Community Wellness, Jaton White, discussed with KSTP how kids are working to heal from the trauma occurring across North Minneapolis. They shared the resources that NAZ can provide scholars and their families when dealing with things like community violence, educational issues like the recent teacher strike, and other challenges.
NAZ Anchor Partner Ascension Catholic School was featured by Fox 9, discussing their high track record for success. “‘ There’s a piece that we don’t talk a lot about, and that’s the belief gap,’ said Principal Benito Matias. ‘That both have to do with scholars believing in their own ability to achieve as well as we, the adults believing in their ability to achieve.’”
The consequences of the pandemic on students’ health and learning are profound and not yet fully understood. NAZ’s Director of Evaluation, Amy Susman-Stillman penned an Op-Ed and asks educators, parents and policymakers to make changes in the educational system that will benefit all students, and particularly low-income scholars and students of color.
Read the piece here: https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2021/05/post-covid-bold-actions-must-address-detrimental-impacts-on-students/
“Our children are the ones who are suffering the most…they are dealing with trauma…they are looking to the adults to protect them. And it’s something we’ve all failed to do.”
Watch this plea for racial justice for America’s children from Sondra Samuels as she speaks with Poppy Harlow of CNN.
