​The bond between Kiara Owens and Lisa Xiong is a significant aspect of Kiara's journey towards becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Kiara had long aspired to fulfill her dream of entering this profession, but she knew that there was a lengthy path to achieving full licensure after completing her Master's degree in 2020.
 
To become a licensed therapist, one must accumulate four thousand hours of supervised work under the guidance of a Board-approved LMFT supervisor and pass national and state exams. Meeting these requirements seemed daunting, but Kiara found invaluable support through Change Inc.'s Cultural and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure Grant (CEMIG).
 
CEMIG is a grant program provided by the MN Department of Human Services, with a primary objective of diversifying the mental health workforce. For the past eight years, Change Inc. has been a grantee, utilizing the funding primarily for workforce development. 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.1 The current communities of focus for CEMIG include African, African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
 
Lisa Xiong, the Director of Clinical Services at Change Inc., played a pivotal role in connecting Kiara with the opportunity to participate in CEMIG. The two initially connected through a BIPOC Therapist Facebook page and quickly formed a strong bond. Recognizing Kiara's potential, Lisa encouraged her to apply for the CEMIG grant, which Change Inc. offered, to support her journey towards full licensure.
 
As a participant of the CEMIG grant through Change Inc., Kiara received invaluable assistance for her professional development. This support included financial aid for testing fees, exam preparation classes, course materials, clinical supervision under a Minnesota Board Approved Supervisor—Lisa Xiong—and access to various training opportunities. Kiara expressed that the guidance and supervision provided by Lisa were the most valuable aspects of her CEMIG experience. "Lisa and I had one meeting where we got to know each other and discussed values and passions. From that initial meeting, there was an instant connection between her and me because of our shared dedication to serving the BIPOC community and providing ethical and legal services to them," explained Kiara.
 
Thanks to the support received through CEMIG, Kiara achieved her goal of becoming fully licensed as a marriage and family therapist in October 2022. Since then, she has established her own private practice, which has been operational since 2020. Kiara's next objective is to expand her practice into a group setting. "As an MFT supervisor candidate, I aspire to provide supervision services to practicum-level or clinical trainees. My hopes and dreams revolve around cultivating an inclusive wellness center for individuals who identify as BIPOC or come from underserved populations," shared Kiara.
 
Reflecting on her relationship with Lisa, Kiara expressed deep gratitude for the impact she had on her journey. Lisa became an essential source of support during a challenging period for Kiara, who was dealing with systemic, racial-based trauma in her previous workplace. Kiara felt at times that she was being tokenized and lacked adequate resources within the organization and the broader community. Lisa became the foundation that provided Kiara with a safe space to be her authentic self and encouraged her to embrace that authenticity.
 
In the mental health field, there is unfortunately limited research dedicated to people of color and the treatment they receive. Lisa stepped in to fill this gap, providing Kiara with relevant resources and studies that allowed her to gain insights and learn how to be the best provider for BIPOC individuals. This guidance also led Kiara to become a certified trauma-informed professional, equipping her with the understanding of racial-based trauma and systemic trauma necessary to better assess and care for her patients.
 
Lisa's unwavering support served as a catalyst for Kiara, motivating her and instilling confidence to advocate for individuals who share her background and ensure they receive ethical services. Lisa encouraged Kiara to pursue her dreams of creating an inclusive space for all. "I'm just very grateful for that," expressed Kiara.
 
When asked if she would recommend CEMIG, Kiara wholeheartedly endorsed the program. "As someone who identifies as BIPOC, I know how isolating it can feel, as if we are on our own without any resources. Change Inc. is completely different in this regard. The organization comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds who are deeply passionate about social justice. I would absolutely recommend that people leverage CEMIG and the resources offered by Change Inc. on their path to licensure or a career in mental health."
 
Kiara's dedication to mental health services and her commitment to providing ethical care that embraces the cultural backgrounds of BIPOC individuals are evident. Currently, she is focused on expanding her practice and wellness center, searching for the ideal location, and seeking out the right providers to join her team. To learn more about Kiara's work, visit her website at https://omnihealingmn.com/.

On June 7th, 36 graduates donned their caps and gowns, ready to embark on a new life chapter. Anticipation for the new opportunities that awaited them hung in the air as the graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. The Class of 2023 endured the struggles of COVID and virtual learning but, luckily, were able to spend the last year entirely in-person with classmates and teachers.

​The graduates of the Class of 2023 had many accomplishments among them, in and out of school.
​

• 65% of our GAP School graduates were employed during the school year, working an average of 38.5 hours per week.
• 81% of these students also earned an industry-recognized certificate. These certificates include healthcare-related (PCA, CFSS, CPR/First Aid, Basic Life Supports), construction-related (OSHA, MC3), and computer-skills-related (Northstar Digital Literacy).
• Sixteen graduates were a part of our YouthBuild St. Paul Westside Construction Career Pathway, and fourteen were a part of the Healthcare Career Pathway.
  
  

Three students were chosen by GAP School staff to have the honor of being Commencement Address speakers. The students were: Than Lay Lay, Mar Ner, and Izaiah Gethahun. All gave wonderfully thoughtful speeches thanking family, classmates, and teachers and shared what their time at GAP School meant to them individually.

This year, six scholarships were awarded to highly-motivated students showing exemplary performance in school over the past year. The scholarships can be used towards higher education costs or pathway training. Congratulations to the following students: 
​
Gilbert de la O Scholarship: Emily Cabrera
Sister Giovanni Scholarship: Izaiah Getahun
Thompson Family Scholarship: Irene Matumaini
Richard Mammen Scholarship: Pakou Xong
Gary Miller Scholarship: Mar Ner
James Nelson Scholarship: Than Lay Lay

GAP School is proud to support students from all different backgrounds. In fact, GAP School has more graduates who come from other countries than graduates born in the U.S. The majority of our grads were born in Burma and Thailand, with nine students from each country. Five graduates are from the United States; four are from Ethiopia; three are from Laos; three are from Somalia; two are from Kenya; and one is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This makes Karen (pronounced Kuh-ren) the most common primary language our graduates speak, followed by English, Somali, Hmong, Oromo, Karenni, Spanish, Swahili, and Tigrigna.

Graduation is a testament to the power of education. It symbolizes the dedication, perseverance, and commitment students have shown in their pursuit of knowledge. Throughout their academic journey, they have acquired diverse skills, honed their talents, and discovered their passions. 

For many, this transition represents newfound independence as they prepare to leave home, start trade school, higher education, or enter the workforce. Whatever path GAP School’s graduates may take, we are proud of every one of them. The skills they have acquired while at GAP School, coupled with their unique life perspectives, will allow them to positively impact their chosen fields and communities. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

GAP School
Summer School is in full swing, offering a mix of ESL classes, career and college readiness trainings, arts, and recreation.
 
Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, free breakfasts and lunches are being provided at GAP School through July 26th to all youth 18 and younger.
 
After being completed this spring, the first of four houses on East Page Street is on the market. Plans are in place this summer to lay the foundation for the next house on the lot. 
 
Community & School Collaborative
School-Based Mental Health Practitioners and Professionals and Community Cultural Specialists continue to provide services and supports throughout the summer months at schools across Minneapolis and St. Paul. 
 
Hennepin County has approached Change Inc. to become a provider of Family Response services (responding to crisis calls 7:00am-11:00pm, 7 days/week) in addition to the Stabilization services we are currently providing. This includes 8 weeks of support for youth and families after Family Response. Change Inc. would be focused on Minneapolis and the Northern Suburbs and would utilize school-based connections. This service will most likely start late fall.
 
Another new project is Shelter-Based Mental Health Services – Change Inc. just finalized a contract with Project Home in St. Paul to provide on-site mental health services for children and families who are residents at the shelter.
 
Change Inc.’s therapist intern program is full (12 interns) for the 2023-24 school year! Each intern receives a $10,000 stipend.
 
The Change Clinic website is completed and is already bringing in many positive comments and referrals. Check out the new site here: www.thechangeclinic.org 
 
Change Institute
We have a number of exciting projects that we are developing or implementing. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has asked Change Inc. to provide trainings in Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) for children’s mental health providers, develop print and video materials promoting wellness, and do a rigorous evaluation that could be used to gain more funding from the state legislature for this work.
 
Change Institute is offering two prep courses a month for the Minnesota LMFT Ethics Exam, every second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 6-8PM. Based off Bruce Minor’s teaching, Change Inc. is proud to continue the exam study workshop that has been around since licensure began.
 
 
Happy Summer,
Jody Nelson, Ed.D., LMFT
Executive Director