2024-25
Annual Report
Explore our impact in the community through our annual report for 2024-25. Discover the stories of change, progress, and renewal that we've achieved together.
A Letter from Jill Johnson...
We began this past year with the theme of ReNEW. I was energized by the idea of growth, including new programs, new partnerships, and new opportunities to serve. But as the year unfolded, we found ourselves in a different kind of renewal, one that included a return to our roots.
Like many nonprofits, there’s no hiding the fact that our organizational growth outpaced our financial growth. That reality challenged us to look closely at how we show up in our work and what truly matters most. It pushed us to ask hard but good questions. What do we do best? What can only Change Inc. do in this community? And how do we hold onto our nimbleness, that scrappy energy that got us here in the first place?
We chose to refocus on our core of providing responsive, innovative services that meet people where they are. We were reminded of why Change Inc. exists in the first place: to be gritty, nimble, and deeply committed to those we serve. We have always been defined by the belief that relationships are the key to change.
So, what gives me hope is what has always given me hope, our people. Change Inc. has never been defined by unlimited resources, but by the relationships and resilience of our staff, partners, and community. Together, we are not just reNEWing, we are re-centering and re-committing to the work that matters most. I am deeply grateful to walk alongside you in this journey.
Thank you,
Jill Johnson,
Executive Director
Change Inc.'s Year in Numbers
1,608
children, youth, and young adults served
45
school communities provided with mental and behavioral health services
1,090
therapy clients; an 80% increase since 2019
74
one-to-one mentoring matches
228
students in grades 9-12+
49 graduates
84%
graduates employed at graduation at an average wage of $18.10/hour
86%
of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch
92%
of students say GAP School helps students reach their goals
82
Latino Family, Friend and Neighbor childcare providers supported through culturally and linguistically appropriate training, technical assistance, and a supportive community of colleagues.
99
emerging BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ mental health professionals supported on their path to licensure through clinical supervision, training and professional development, and
fee reimbursement.
36
training workships delivered
Program Highlights
Dorika’s Journey Through GAP School’s Healthcare Pathway
After moving to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2024, Dorika had been providing for her family, by working as a home health aide. Once she found GAP School, she started in our YouthBuild program’s Healthcare Pathway. She still needed to help support her family while going to school though. With the help of our program and staff, Dorika was able to start a job at a local assisted living home, with a wage increase, which meant she no longer had to work nights. Dorika continued working and coming to school. As a part of the Healthcare Pathway, she studied and was able to earn her Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) certification through our program’s partnership with HeartCert, working and going to school the entire time. Once she attained her CNA license, Dorika was accepted to Allina Health’s Medical Assistant Apprentice Program. Through the apprentice program, she is able to work full time with Allina Health, take online medical assistant certificate classes, and receive hands-on learning led by Allina Health nurses — all while being paid!
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The Influence of Mentors on Students in Schools
For more than a decade, Change Inc. has collaborated with teachers, administrators, and other educators to embed mentors in public schools, better known as our Crossroads program. The goals of Crossroads include supporting individual students at risk of school failure due to academic or behavioral circumstances, and contributing to a positive school climate in each school community in which we work. Crossroads mentors, known as Community Cultural Specialists, provide life skills mentoring and classroom observations and supports. Crossroads provided direct mentoring services to a total of 123 students in grades 6 through 12+ last school year. We asked student mentees for words that describe how their mentor helped them. The word cloud image (right) is based on their responses.
Supporting Emerging Mental Health Providers Through CEMIG
For the past 18 years, Change Inc. has participated in the Minnesota Department of Health Service's Cultural and Ethnic Minority (CEMIG) Grant. In total, we have provided CEMIG support to more than 120 clinical trainees and mental health professionals over those years. CEMIG focuses on assisting mental health professionals and practitioners from cultural and ethnic minority backgrounds in obtaining supervision hours, meeting licensure requirements, and attaining certification to become qualified mental health practitioners, professionals, or clinical supervisors. Participants of the CEMIG grant through Change Inc. can receive invaluable assistance with professional development, including financial aid for testing fees, exam preparation classes, course materials, clinical supervision under a Minnesota Board Approved Supervisor, and access to various training opportunities. Many of the providers we support through CEMIG often come back to work for Change Inc. full-time. Through CEMIG, we have built a collaborative of mental health providers who are committed to providing culturally specific services to the larger community.
This Year In Photos
