Courageous Stories
Highlighting community stories of strength & resiliency
One Family's Story of Change and Motivation with Kofi Services for Youth
Malik Compton describes what he was like at the age of eight with just one word: “trouble.” It’s hard to believe considering the confident, well-mannered young man he is today, but Malik says he used to be short-tempered and disruptive. He talked back at home and he was unmotivated at school.
Malik’s mother Sonya recognized that he… Read this story »
Delivering More than a Meal: Wilder Volunteers for Meals on Wheels Give Back
Rose Sherman has been volunteering with the Wilder Community Services for Aging Meals on Wheels program for more than 30 years. “When I started, I remember wanting a simple and quick way each month to give back to the community and to serve,” explains Rose.
“This became even more important to me when my own mother needed home-delivered… Read this story »
Finding Fulfillment After Retirement as a Mobile Market Volunteer
When Karen Dovenmuehle retired from her career as a painter after 29 years, she was seeking a volunteer opportunity that would be satisfying for her while providing meaningful work. But she had never volunteered before. Then she heard about the Twin Cities Mobile Market (TCMM). "David Moeller, the CEO of Inside Edge, is a friend and knew… Read this story »
Bilingual Volunteers Help Center for Social Healing Feel Like Home
Connecting bilingual, bicultural volunteers with underserved cultural communities provides an enriching experience at the Wilder Center for Social Healing. Read this story »
Keeping Up with the Hodges in the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood
Maurice and his daughter Shamaurie Hodges not only found a home and stability, but also found career opportunities and academic success in the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood. Read this story »
Twin Cities Mobile Market Means More Fruit and More Opportunities to Share
Gail Johnson likes her apartment in the Humboldt Senior Apartments in Saint Paul, and she loves the caring attitude among the residents of her complex. The 80-year-old retired church secretary is often found in the community room in the basement of the complex, sharing coffee and conversation with other residents of her community. She’s… Read this story »
Neighborhood Leadership Program Graduate Helps Start Youth Group
A Neighborhood Leadership Program graduate brings youth to the table by starting a mentor group in East St. Paul, MN. Read this story »
I Didn't Know I Was A Leader: An Alumna's Experience In The Latino Leadership Program
Not realizing she was already a community leader, an alumna recounts her confidence-building experience in the Latino Leadership Program (Programa de Liderazgo Latino). Read this story »