Bossen Area Outreach
For more than a decade, NENA has worked alongside residents of the Bossen area at the corner of 58th Street and 31st Avenue. NENA prioritizes this important work by hiring bilingual community organizers, door-knocking to learn from residents, cultivating community leaders, and seeking grants to support projects informed by our annual Bossen community surveying.
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The Bossen Terrace area is part of the Wenonah neighborhood and comprises about 26% of the total population. It is a cultural microcosm of Minneapolis. The 1,247 Bossen residents are diverse, with a mix of Latinx, East African, African American and White community members. The area consists of more than 50 apartment complexes and more than 400 units of affordable housing. The Metropolitan Council has identified this area as a “Priority Area for Investment,” And a “racially concentrated area of poverty.” Most residents are transit-dependent.
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NENA Project Highlights:
2021 – NENA’s Free Food Distribution moves back outdoors to serve the Bossen Area. Since July 2020, we have distributed over 600,000 pounds of food and supplies.
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2020 – Pop-up food distribution site to address food insecurity and regular COVID-19 resources mailers in three languages
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2019 – Renters rights support for tenants facing eviction, repairs not being made, and pest infestations
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2018 – Free cultural cooking classes for families and the Twin Cities Mobile Market biweekly service
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2017 – Bossen Community Mural project on 58th Street
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2016 – Better Bus Stop Engagement Project with Metro Mobility
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We need outreach and event volunteers, especially Spanish and Somali speakers. Contact NENA at nena@nokomiseast.org for more information.