Pillsbury United Communities has remained effective in our communities for almost 135 years by responding to the changing world with innovation.

In the 21st Century, we are set apart from other human service agencies, in part, by our embrace of business ventures that are social enterprises. Youth embrace the values of self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship taught through designing their own business plans for a coffee cart like Triple C or a thrift shop called Sisterhood of the Travelling Scarf at Brian Coyle Center.

Oak Park Youth + Family Center offers a “Be the Boss” summer camp in a partnership with the University of Minnesota Junior Entrepreneurs of Minnesota. Oak Park also offers youth employment training through its Urban Garden program and growing Youth Cafe.

Waite House Culinary Arts Training is available to teens as young as 16 years old.

At Pillsbury House + Theatre, Full Cycle Used Bike Shop offers a six-month, paid internship program for homeless youth. The shop employs, trains and supports homeless youth, teaching them bike repair and hands-on business skills, including resume writing, interviewing skills, sales, customer service and overall professionalism. Since inception, Full Cycle has had more than 30,000 interactions with homeless youth. For more information, please visit Full Cycle online.

Contact the Pillsbury United Communities Neighborhood Center in your area for more information.