News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday December 21st 2025
Resources for Students and Families in Phillips
By ELLIE SKAJA
There are various free resources and programs available for students and families in the Phillips Community of Minneapolis, focused on addressing educational disparities in the Community. By providing access to tutoring, language support, Community programs, and online learning, these initiatives aim to support students and gain academic success within the Community.
Tutoring at the Waite House
Location: 2323 11th Avenue S.
Contact: 612-721-1681
Hours: Weekdays, 10 AM – 4 PM
Cost: Free
Details: Provides tutoring services to support students’ academic needs, helping them build their confidence and academic skills.
English Language Learner Program (ELL) at Centro Guadalupano
Location: 2424 18th Ave S.
Contact: 612-767-2430 | guadcenter@gmail.com
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Cost: Free
Details: Focuses on supporting non-native English speakers through language classes and resources. Class registration is Monday-Thursday at 9am.
Banyan Community (various programs)
Soar Program: For grades 6-8, focuses on life skills and career planning.
Aspire Program: “Intensive” high school academic support and mentoring.
Elevate Program: Community support for high school students, offering help with homework and post-secondary planning.
Location: 2529 13th Ave S.
Contact: 612-722-8512 | mail@banyancommunity.org
Cost: Free
Achieve Twin Cities
Website: www.achievetwincities.org
Contact: 612-455-1530
Cost: Free
Details: Provides one-on-one student advising, career experiences, and connections to colleges and training programs across 13 Minneapolis schools.… Read the rest “Resources for Students and Families in Phillips”
Why are There Tent Cities in Minneapolis? Housing in Phillips
By LINH STOEBNER
I lived through a time when I did not have shelter or food. Growing up in Vietnam through war and after the war, human needs were never met. I immigrated to America in the hope of a better future. Phillips Community was the first place I landed when I arrived in the United States. Phillips was my Community for eight years. I moved away over fifteen years ago, and many things have changed, but the housing situation hasn’t seemed to have improved.
The data shows us: many Phillips Community residents struggle with high rent prices and housing instability, impacting their quality of life and economic security.
According to data from Minnesota Compass, from 2018-2022, 38.5% of the Community live below the poverty level. At the same time, housing is more expensive than ever.
I believe that to address housing gaps, we need to address the supply of affordable housing, implement policies to protect current residents, and ensure that housing development is inclusive and meets the community’s diverse needs.
In an interview with Natalie Bullis, MPH, Operations Coordinator for Pillsbury United Communities, housing and healthcare are deeply interconnected. Additionally, Bullis said that a lack of stable housing can lead to worsened physical and mental health issues, especially for those with existing disorders.… Read the rest “Why are There Tent Cities in Minneapolis? Housing in Phillips”
Gamechanger: Eliminating HERC Could Benefit Youth Athletics
By LEXIE PETRICK, LIZ ROSEN
The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) increases air pollution in Minneapolis. It may be leading to an increase in asthma rates in the Phillips Community because of the dangerous toxins being released from the trash that HERC burns.
Eliminating the HERC, and diminishing a major cause of air pollution in the Community, is essential for youth participation in athletics. Asthma is a major barrier to participation in athletics – and youth athletes benefit from greater physical and mental health because of their participation.
The website for the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) shares many stories about community members who have suffered from the high pollution impacting Phillips.
“In the wintertime, my granddaughter was prescribed albuterol for asthma. She’s three years old. I have to hold her down so even if she’s screaming and crying, she breathes it in. I love my granddaughter with all my heart and it’s traumatizing for her, traumatizing for me,” said Nicole Mason, a Phillips Community grandmother, in one of those stories shared on the EPNI website.
According to data shared by MinnPost, asthma rates among children in East Phillips Neighborhood are more than two times higher than the state average with a hospitalization rate of 15.6 per 10,000 children.… Read the rest “Gamechanger: Eliminating HERC Could Benefit Youth Athletics”
Keep citizen journalism alive!
