Brian Coyle

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Brian Coyle

Located in the Cedar-Riverside Neighborhood, across from the Riverside Plaza high-rise complexes, Pillsbury United Communities’ Brian Coyle Center is the city’s busiest multi-service center, hosting 750+ daily visitors and annually serving 7,500+ individuals via a continuum of programs and partnerships that are implemented by a diverse multilingual staff.

Brian Coyle Center is a vibrant destination for children and families to connect with culturally relevant programming spanning from out-of-school time youth programing (including academic supports, access to technology and multimedia tools via the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, social enterprises, recreational and leadership opportunities), to senior services, adult education, employment, wellness and nutrition and host of countless civic engagement activities in the form of community and political events. The center promotes social and economic equality, offering programs that build strength and support the entrepreneurial spirit of youth and adults. We strive to unite people across ethnicity, generations and organizations to promote the academic, economic, and social wellbeing of all.
 
In addition, the Brian Coyle Center leases space to several organizations (Cedar Riverside Community School, Fairview Health Services, Capital Café, Cedar Riverside NRP) and serves as a Red Cross Emergency site and polling place for local and national elections. Coyle Center also provides free spaces for English Language Classes—a partnership between Minneapolis Adult Basic Education, Riverside Plaza Tenant Association and our center. 
 
 

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Our Programs

  • be@school

    A partnership with Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the Minneapolis Public Schools, be @school advocates work with families to prevent truancy.

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  • FANS Scholars Program

    FANS Scholars program is a free college, career and life preparatory program for high school students in 9th-12th grade. This program provides students with a support system and activities to strengthen high school performance and to achieve success after graduation in college and career. The FANS scholar’s program offerings are varied and include workshops and seminars, introduction to career options, college tours, leadership development, civic engagement and ACT/SAT test preparation. In addition students receive academic support, mentorship and assistance with the college enrollment process. Students that successfully complete the FANS Scholars program are eligible to receive a small scholarship to assist with college expenses and their FANS Advocate support them through college graduation. Since its inception in 1988, FANS Scholars have received over $1,000,000 in scholarships.

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  • Summer Programs

    With summer programs at four neighborhood centers, our work with youth from kindergarten to 8th grade continues throughout the entire year.

    Whether learning from professional artists-in-residence at Pillsbury House + Theatre or stretching their athletic ability at Brian Coyle Center, PUC kids continue to gain competence in the Six C curriculum, while having great summer fun. Field trips to museums and water parks, nature walks, and special projects make summer programs a special time for kids at our agency.

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  • Crew

    Pillsbury United Communities’ Youth Action Crew bridges the gap in afterschool programming between 6th graders and teens with a service-learning program specially designed for youth in 6th to 8th grades.

    In CREW, which stands for Creativity, Respect, Employment, and Wisdom, students gain leadership skills through working inter-generationally, as they did on a story-telling project in collaboration with the Minnesota History Center. They discuss career and college preparation and, when successful, are given priority enrollment in FANS.

    In addition, CREW kids have worked on community beautification, hunger and nutrition, as well as fine arts like puppet making, and more.

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  • Parent Support Outreach Project (PSOP)

    The Parent Support Outreach Project (PSOP) offers voluntary, supportive, strengths-based, family-driven services to families who are at risk for child protection services due to high levels of stress or crisis. In addition, PSOP:

    • Assists families in building connections with relatives, friends and community members.

    • Supports families in their efforts to provide healthy, nurturing homes for their children.

    • Access to a flexible fund to help families meet their needs, such as rental assistance, car repairs, clothing and grocery vouchers, school supplies, youth activities, and utility bills.

    • Provides funds for therapeutic services such as in-home family counseling, in-home parent education, or assistance with outpatient counseling or chemical dependency treatment costs.

    For more information contact, Cathy Gilbert at 612.377.7000 or Kelly Lecua at 612.824.0708.

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  • Crisis Nursery

    The Crisis Nursery Program is available to parents experiencing and overwhelming level of stress from daily life challenges. Our goal is to reduce the stress level by providing emergency childcare and respite services, while offering a resources to ensure both parent and children are healthy and well. Our Crisis Nursery is a community-based, family supported program that provides services to parents and children, aged 6 weeks to 12 years old, in times of crisis or stress. Services include short-term daycare placements, and information and referral. For assistance call: (612) 302-3500

    If you are in an abusive situation or you fear becoming abusive to yourself or your children, call 911 immediately.

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  • Domestic Abuse Prevention

    The Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project works with women who are facing issues of domestic violence or sexual assault. Services are provided at the Brian Coyle Center, the Domestic Abuse Service Center in the Hennepin County Government Center, or wherever the client feels most comfortable in the community, free of charge.

    Staff speak Somali, Arabic, other East African languages and English and build close relationships with families to work through issues of domestic violence and sexual assault.

    IWAP also assists women who need help understanding and finding resources to adjust to life in Minnesota, including:

    Crisis intervention

    Housing and shelter concerns

    Daycare options

    Employment support

    Food support

    Legal advocacy, including one-on-one help with domestic abuse, police and court assistance

    General family issues

    Appointments can be scheduled ahead of time or walk in for services are available at both locations. To reach our Somali Advocate at the Domestic Abuse Service Center, please call 612.348.5073 or 612.348.6396.

    24 hour Crisis Line and connection to shelter: 612.876.9307 provided by Asian Women United.

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  • Legal Clinic

    Volunteer Lawyers Network attorneys provide free legal advice and/or brief services regarding a variety of civil issues, such as debtor/creditor, consumer, housing, immigration, and general civil issues. Occurs every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 12:30-2 pm. Call to make an appointment: 612-338-5282

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  • Healthcare Enrollment

    Healthcare Navigators are available at each neighborhood center to assist individuals who are seeking health insurance. Our trained navigators are committed to helping individuals and families find affordable plans that fit their needs.

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  • Chronic Diseases and Diabetes Self-Management Program

    The Chronic and Diseases and Diabetes Self-Management Program provides a series of evidence based workshops for seniors on living with diabetes, health action planning, dealing with difficult emotions, life-skills, healthy eating, mobility and exercise. Classes are 2.5 hours long, and part of a six week series.

    To sign up for a class, or learn more about the program, contact Ahmed Mussa at 612.876.9326.

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  • Food Distribution Programs

    We believe no one should have to miss a meal and work tirelessly to ensure all individuals and families have access to culturally relevant and nutritious food. These programs are free.

    Food Shelf: Healthy groceries available for everyone. Hours: Monday: 12-6 pm, Tuesday: 12-3 pm, Wednesday: 12-4 pm, & Friday: 12-4 pm. First-time visitors need a photo ID for their head of household and each family member in preparation for a short registration process. Numbers are given out at the front desk starting at 9 am, but walk-ins are welcome.

    Produce Giveaways: Free distribution of vegetables and/or fruit every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Get a number between 9:30-11:30 am. Pick up food between 1-2 pm.

    SNAP Enrollment: Our team provides SNAP screenings, assistance with SNAP applications and post-application follow-up with counties and DHS.

    Commodity Supplemental Food Program: A nutritional support box for seniors 60+ years of age on the first Friday of every month from 9:30-10:30 am. Registration required for first-time participants. Apply by calling 651-484-8241 or toll-free at 1-800-365-0270.

    For more information, please contact Awol Windissa: 612-876-9330.

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  • Sisterhood Boutique

    Sisterhood Boutique is a business venture designed and run by East African women, ages 14-23. http://www.sisterhoodmn.org/

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  • Brian Coyle Teen Tech Center

    Brian Coyle’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center (BBTTC) is a brand new digital learning lab that allows youth ages 12-18 to explore their interests in computer technology while gaining hands-on experience with audio recording, film-making, digital storytelling, simple circuitry, 3D printing, programming, vinyl cutting, and much more. The focus of the space is on helping youth gain access to social, civic, educational, career, and creative opportunities, while promoting them to explore, hone, and expand these valued skills for their own emotional, professional, and community development. We likewise hope to educate, support, and encourage young women to advance their own curiosity about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and work to bridge the gender gap in both teen tech programming and STEM job positions held by women later in life.

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  • Employment Services

    Meet with a member of our employment team for assistance with job searching, applications, resumes and cover letters, interview practice and more. For more information or to make an appointment, contact 612-338-5282.

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  • Senior Services

    Brian Coyle Center provides culturally appropriate services to East African seniors by increasing their ability to remain active, healthy and independent in their homes and communities. This program provides outreach and advocacy with the vision of increasing senior safety and well-being in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

    For more information, please call Ahmed Mussa: 612-876-9326

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  • Afterschool program

    Brian Coyle Center offers the largest culturally-relevant youth program serving the East African community in Minneapolis. Our program provides year-round recreational, leadership and academic support to hundreds of 6-12th grade youth and young adults.

    For more information, please contact Alyson Sweet Mohamed: 612-876-9356.

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