Change Inc. Adopts Three Programs of East Side Neighborhood Services

As of December 1, 2025, Change Inc. has adopted three programs from East Side Neighborhood Services (ESNS): Out-of-School Time programs (OST), Family Healing, and ASPIRE (Assisting Students & Parents In Resources and Engagement). Along with these programs, Change Inc. welcomes 12 experienced program staff to ensure a seamless experience for youth and family participants, as well as funders and community partners.  

With a history of community-based collaboration dating back to 1967, Change Inc. utilizes the power of relationships and community to create educational, training, and healing opportunities for children, youth, young adults, and families so they can achieve their highest ambition. These ESNS programs align with Change Inc.’s commitment to supporting strong families and helping kids gain success in school and life. 

For over a century, ESNS has been a centerpiece of Northeast Minneapolis community-based services, like dynamic food programs, Vital Living programs for older adults, and Creative Arts Therapy. Today, it has expanded its social services to reach throughout Hennepin County with multicultural and intergenerational constituents.   

ESNS transferred these programs as a result of an action plan to improve its organizational health and sustainability with a goal to continue to meet community needs. Change Inc.’s program activities, based on strong relationships and trust, holistically ensure that the community’s ability to succeed and thrive continues to improve.   

About the ESNS Programs Adopted by Change Inc. 

• Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs: Two OST Programs provide high quality, intentionally designed programming that creatively integrates academic, enrichment and social emotional learning components to meet individual needs. The vision is that youth shape our shared future, through self-determination, family connection, and community stewardship. Both programs primarily serve children in grades K-5 and partner with their families and schools to support academic and social and emotional well-being. The OST programs are funded by MN MDE After-School Community Learning Grant. 
  

• ASPIRE: ASPIRE (Assisting Students and Parents In Resources and Engagement) is a program contracted with Hennepin County to provide “Be@School” services for children and youth referred to the County Attorney’s office by schools due to truancy. ASPIRE staff supports children and youth by taking a holistic approach with families in order to address attendance and truancy issues. A main goal of the program is to divert the young person from further court involvement.   
  

• Family Healing Program: Family Healing offers person-centered, trauma-informed healing services for people who have been identified as using abusive behaviors within their home or community setting.  Psycho-educational groups work to stop domestic violence as it occurs and to prevent it from happening in the future.    

“A priority for Change Inc. is to continue providing services undisrupted during the adoption of these programs,” says Executive Director Jill Johnson. “We embrace these new programs and staff acknowledging that our organization is deeply rooted in the power of connection and community to create educational, training and healing opportunities for children, youth, young adults and families so they can achieve their highest ambition. This is what we mean when we say, ‘Relationships are the key to change.’”