News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Thursday December 18th 2025
Health Care Access
The BYI partners with Portico Healthnet, an organization that assists uninsured Minnesotans access affordable health care and coverage. Portico works to improve community health by enrolling uninsured individuals into Minnesota Care, Medical Assistance and other public programs. Those who are ineligible for public programs are enrolled in the Portico Coverage program. A full-time English-Spanish speaking Community Health Worker is stationed at Andersen Community School in the Backyard to facilitate access to Portico services. In 2011, 436 residents accessed health insurance through public programs. An additional 116 residents were able to access primary and preventive care services through the Portico coverage program. Due to a partnership between Portico and the BYI, Backyard residents have immediate access to the coverage program. There is typically an 18 month wait period for the program.
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Did You Know? CHAT
The Did you Know? CHAT Team”'s mission is to get people together through Block Clubs/Events. Our hope is that these connections help prevent isolation and promote community. We are partnered with Community-University Health Care Center to provide support to clubs by sharing health information and referrals, participating in the CHAT Team and giving Block Leaders the tools they need to support the health of their block.
One of our CHAT Team members is a Crime Prevention Specialist with the Police Department who partners with Did you Know? and encourages participation in the Block Leader Training and National Night Out. This was the second year we sponsored Spring Reunions, giving $50 to each block that held a gathering of neighbors.
We have held one meeting with Block Club leaders this year to support their efforts in organizing events, give them information about our CHAT Team, and to find out what resources would be helpful for them to improve the health of their block. Our goal this year is to put together a TOOL KIT of resources that will provide information for leaders about health resources in the Backyard.
CHAT Members include: Amy Shellabarger and John Bailey. We are always looking for more neighbors to participate in our efforts.… Read the rest “Did You Know? CHAT”
OUT in the Backyard CHAT
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- FREE Classes! Come out and ZUMBA Monday nights to the end of Aug 6:30 to 7:30 pm Join the OUT in the Backyard CHAT at the NW corner of Powderhorn Park at 11th Ave. to keep it moving!!! ALL ARE WELCOME!
The OUT in the Backyard CHAT is focusing their work and activities on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (GLBTQ) communities to reduce isolation, create community and foster connections in order to improve the health of individuals in our neighborhoods.
Some of the activities that we have worked on in the last year to put our goals and ideals into action include:
- Worked with the community and a website designer to began the process of building an informational and interactive website that will provide resources and educational information. It will also be accessible to all outside the GLBTQ community so that we can increase awareness and build connections between our various communities.
- Sponsored several community forums to get information for the website and share resources, which included topics like: services for LGBT youth and end of life issues and the need for healthcare directives.
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