News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Wednesday December 24th 2025
THE BACKYARD INITIATIVE: History and framework
The Backyard Initiative (BYI) is a dynamic partnership between the Backyard Community and Allina Health to improve the health of residents in the Backyard. The area defined as “the Backyard” encompasses the approximately one square mile area surrounding Allina”'s corporate headquarters (2925 Chicago Ave S), Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Neighborhoods in the Backyard include East Phillips, Midtown Phillips, Ventura Village, Phillips West, Central, Powderhorn Park and Corcoran. This Initiative began with Allina engaging in many conversations with community stakeholders in May of 2008.
This program began with a relationship and trust building process to surface the knowledge, experience, cultural values, and health-related priorities of the Backyard residents. Backyard residents challenged Allina Health to see themselves as the residents see Allina, as part of the community”'s backyard. Community residents began to see their own potential and power as a group for improving residents”' health.
Early in the process, residents developed a Definition of Health that became the foundation for the Initiative. (See the Definition of Health below next to the Wheel showing the BYI structure.)
In 2009, the Backyard Initiative (BYI) completed a Community Assessment. An Assessment Team was formed to create a picture of the current state of health and well-being of residents in the Backyard, engage a broad network of residents in the process, and inform and plan the next steps for the Backyard Initiative.… Read the rest “THE BACKYARD INITIATIVE: History and framework”
Running Wolf Fitness Center CLOSED Management by Clinics ends Dec 31st
To the Community,
Since 2010, the Running Wolf Fitness Center has operated as a program of the Native American Community Clinic and the Indian Health Board. It was under their management that Running Wolf moved into the Phillips Community Center. Recently because of capital expenditures and financial restrictions the two clinics will no longer manage Running Wolf. The last day of operations at the Phillips Community Center will be Friday, December 20, 2013.
The Minneapolis American Indian Center is working on assuming management of Running Wolf and is actively seeking funding to cover the operating costs as one if its program at the Center. Running Wolf will be temporarily closed until this funding is secured.
Minneapolis American Indian Center and Al Olson, the Mille Lacs Urban Special projects coordinator along with other community members are working to keep this valuable asset local and affordable to all members of the Phillips Community Neighborhood.
We thank the community for their support and patience through this time of transition for Running Wolf Fitness Center.
Sincerely,
Indian Health Board
Native American Community Clinic
Related Images:
“Who will remember that we were here after we are gone?” Keepsakes and records entrusted between Bible”'s pages
 Joe Schumann found an old Bible including a note that said “Will you keep the number of Hilmars grave in case we should loose tract of it. Eugene lost the one we had befor. I gave him one to so in case he loose it I”'ve got one and so have you and as they may grade that part where he lays so if they take that marker I put there sometime ago we got the number of it. So take care of it.”The Bible was a wedding gift to Rachel and her husband John from her parents almost exactly 100 years ago. They were married on December 22, 1913.Â
By Sue Hunter Weir
It was almost a year ago that Joe Schumann found an old Bible in the attic of a house that he was working on in North Minneapolis. The Bible was written in Norwegian and had several small items tucked inside. There are three bookmarks, two of them celebrating Easter.… Read the rest ““Who will remember that we were here after we are gone?” Keepsakes and records entrusted between Bible”'s pages”
Keep citizen journalism alive!
