Response and Recovery Fund

Brooklyns Response and 
Recovery Youth Fund 
Youth-Centered Advisory Charter

As a result of overwhelming community support, Brooklyn Center Schools, Youthprise and the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth have come together to manage donated funds to our local community. 

Background


The tragic killing of Daunte Wright on April 12 led to a ripple effect of impact for youth, families, and those of us in a position to respond to their needs. What emerged immediately following this traumatic event was an outpouring of support and work of people from the community and those who work in non-profits and public sector organizations. Our role during this crisis was to support our partners efforts to respond to the needs of youth and families. 


The BBA team supported Brooklyn Center Community Schools efforts to support youth and families. In doing so the BBA staff supported youth engagement, staff debriefing, volunteer recruitment for efforts at the resource distribution site and partnership in managing donated resources. Specifically, at the onset of this crises, BCCS opened a GoFundMe account after their staff members and others asked for a way to donate money to be used to purchase essential items for students and families throughout the community. The original goal was to raise $1,000, and as of 12 p.m. on Thursday April 29 $138,072 was raised. In addition to this, another individual who began a GoFundMe on behalf of a teacher, also requested that their funds totaling $55,632 also be transferred to a non-profit that would support students. 


The level of giving from the community surpassed all expectations. Because of the need to direct these resources in a thoughtful and transparent manner, Brooklyn Center Community Schools asked the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance, who subsequently requested support from Youthprise, a 501(c)(3) organization, to assist in managing these resources. 

The Purpose


While the majority of the funds are reserved for direct crisis response such as financial assistance for basic needs, a portion of the funds are reserved for events, opportunities, and activities that promote healing, youth engagement, and rebuilding a solid sense of community.

 

Direct Aid Application

 

Thanks to generous donations to Brooklyn Center Community Schools in response to last year's social unrest proximity to traumatic events, we still have funds available to assist families with basic needs such as housing, utilities, food, clothing, help with transportation, and other challenges. Help this round will be in the form of gift cards (gas, Cub food, and Visa). The only exception will be for rent/mortgage. This assistance will come in the form of a check. 


In order to apply for the funds, please fill out the following form. We will review the requests and then reach out with any further questions in order to determine how to proceed with assistance. These funds are for families and young people who live and/or go to school in the city of Brooklyn Center, especially during the 2020-2021 school year.  WE ARE PRIORITIZING FAMILIES WHO DID NOT RECIEVE ASSISTANCE DURING THE FIRST ROUND OF APPLICATIONS.


If you need help with this form or have questions, please email Julie Richards.

 

Direct Aid Application

Youthprise Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement 

Youthprise’s mission is to increase equity with and for Minnesota’s Indigenous, low income and racial diverse youth. They have been partners with the Alliance since our inception in 2012. Youthprise responded quickly to support the Brooklyns, and a Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement (FSA) established a restricted fund at Youthprise where resources could be consolidated to support both response and recovery. 

Funds collected will be used for: 

- Items needed in response to the crisis, such as gas money, hotel accommodations for those students impacted, clothes, childcare, medical supplies and other accommodations.
- Youth enrichment activities centered around healing and action.
- Addressing systemic racism using youth centered approaches. 

Youth-Centered Advisory Charter

Youthprise is the fiscal sponsor of this fund and any resources the BBA may receive will be approved by the advisory. 


The BBA, per the FSA consulted with BCCS and other partners to develop the charter for this advisory. At the onset we depended heavily on Youthprise and leaders in Ramsey County who have created similar restricted funds, to inform this charter. They recommended establishing an advisory that could meet every 2 weeks to approve requests.


We believe that establishing a youth centered advisory, focused on responding to the needs of youth, promoting healing and addressing systemic racism ultimately advances our strategic plan, and is worthy of the staff time needed to coordinate this effort.


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