Title
Courageous Stories
Highlighting community stories of courage, strength and resiliency
Section
Learning How Student Safety Coaches Create Safe and Productive Schools
Like many school districts across the nation and Minnesota, Intermediate School District 287 (ISD 287) had contracted with police departments to have police officers (called “School Resource Officers”) in school buildings. However, ISD 287 ended those contracts and in 2017-2018 and began using district employees titled “Student Safety… Read this story »
High school student Aine puts new driver’s license to work volunteering for Meals on Wheels
Aine, a high school senior in Saint Paul, knew she wanted to start volunteering as soon as she got her got her driver’s license at age 17 1/2. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aine put her newly minted license to work delivering Meals on Wheels at Wilder. Read this story »
Cambodian Americans at Wilder Center for Social Healing Remind Volunteer Kai Miller that Small Contributions Make a Difference
Upon returning to the U.S. after five years of living and working in Cambodia, I found that readjusting to life in the US was difficult. I missed Cambodia, which was—and still is—a home for me. A family friend who worked at Wilder told me about the Center for Social Healing in Saint Paul. Read this story »
Musicians and artists help Wilder Connect participants with memory loss enjoy new activities and relationships
With masks and social distancing, participants in a new respite program for people with memory loss or Parkinson’s disease can make friends and reduce isolation during the pandemic. The program, called Wilder Connect, also helps artists like Ryan Evans do what they love: Make music and art with others. Read this story »
Stevena Builds a Stable Life with Wilder Youth Supportive Housing Services
Before Stevena Troupe moved into Lincoln Place in July 2019, she had slept in her car for two months while holding down a job. At Lincoln Place, a supportive housing development in Eagan for youth who have experienced homelessness, the 23-year-old turned her studio apartment into a home. Read this story »
Interns Learn Along with Children at Wilder Child Development Center
The Wilder Child Development Center provides high quality early childhood education for children age 16 months to five years. This fall, two young adults also found hands-on learning opportunities at the Center. They recently completed five-week paid internships through a partnership with Face to Face, a Saint Paul nonprofit that serves… Read this story »
Homework Starts with Home Provides Rental Assistance and Help with Pandemic Safety
When the pandemic arrived in Minnesota, Antonia Coleman gave her family members kits with masks, hand sanitizer and wipes to ensure that they were as protected as possible from the coronavirus while on the go. Then Antonia brought the idea to work. Read this story »
Remembering Paul Verret
Paul Verret dedicated nearly his entire life to Saint Paul. Through his career, his influence, and his personal generosity, Paul had an immeasurable impact on Wilder’s many community partners and our program and service participants. Sadly, Paul passed away in June 2020. Read this story »