News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Wednesday December 17th 2025
Takoda””All Are Welcome
Adapting to Needs
By ERIN WOLF, Takoda Institute
Takoda, previously known as the American Indian OIC, was founded in 1979 in response to the damaging education and employment disparities faced by Indigenous people within the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Since its foundation, the organization has grown a workforce of over 25,000 through its culturally-relevant education, training, and workforce programs. Each year, over 900 people, affiliated with tribal nations in the U.S. and Canada, utilize the OIC”™s services. Though the OIC was originally founded to strictly serve Native Americans, it has since opened its services and programs to people of every race, creed, gender, age, ability, or sexual orientation. Hence the name “Takoda”, which is a Lakota word meaning “all are welcome”.
Takoda offers a wide array of services to those who qualify, such as: assistance with applying for public grocery assistance (SNAP), case management services for clients who participate in the Minnesota Family Investment Program, and re-entry services for youth and adults who are looking for a second chance. Takoda offers a wide variety of short and long-term career-based trainings that will help gain students employment after graduation. Among its long-term programs, Takoda offers a Computer Support Specialist program and Patient Services Specialist Program.… Read the rest “Takoda””All Are Welcome”
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
Adapting traffic ”“ Construction Update: New Lake Street & 35W Transit Station
By MNDOT adapted by GUSTAVO MANCILLA
PHOTO COURTESY OF MNDOT & GUSTAVO MANCILLA
As part of the 35W@94 project, MnDOT and Metro Transit are building a new transit station at I-35W & Lake Street Transit Station. The transit station is scheduled to open in late 2021 with the launch of the METRO Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit service along I-35W.
A new stage for this construction project at Lake Street will begin this spring (early April) ”“ if weather permitting – and is anticipated to take two years and be completed by Fall 2021.
Pedestrians and drivers must know that Lake St. will, in general, remain open with one lane available in each direction and access to all businesses will be maintained during the con-struction.
The new transit station will include great new amenities, such as bike parking, benches, real-time bus arrival information, heating, trash and recycling bins, a station marker, and an in-formation kiosk.
The station will provide a significant upgrades in comfort and safety in comparison to existing bus stops. From the station, it will take riders 7 minutes to get downtown.… Read the rest “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait”
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