Courageous Stories

Highlighting community stories of strength & resiliency

Caucasian women volunteers, twin cities mobile market volunteering

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 »
asian adults, asian american man and woman, asian volunteers, center for social healing volunteers

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 »
person of color in office, small business owner, working adult, saint paul promise neighborhood parent

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 »
older woman smiling with coffee, mobile market customer

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 »
Christopher Melendez is a Neighborhood Leadership Program graduate and co-founder of a youth group.

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 »
Victoria Campoverde, facilitator of Latino Leadership Program

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 »
Parents and young children at graduation event

Northside Achievement Zone

There is a lot of buzz today about how nonprofits can use data to solve the world’s problems. At the Northside Achievement Zone it is more than a buzz, it is a strongly held belief. We can use data to end multi-generational poverty, but we must have the right partner. That’s why we chose Wilder Research. Read this story »
Jerry Castle joins in activities at Wilder Adult Day Health in Saint Paul.

Helping Older Adults Live their Best Lives with Adult Day Health

Twice a week, 81-year-old Jerry Castle spends the day chatting with friends, painting, gardening, playing trivia, exercising and joining in other activities that engage his mind and body at Wilder’s Adult Day Health program. Read this story »