East Side of St. Paul

The East Side of St. Paul was always a good place to live. For generations, American Indians thrived here, as did subsequent generations of European immigrants, drawn by the natural beauty and the economic opportunities it offered. But over the years the industry's that brought economic vitality to the area began to leave, taking with them jobs and hopes for the future. Today, St. Paul's East Side neighborhoods are among the fastest-growing, most culturally diverse and lowest income communities in the Twin Cities. American Indians and European Americans share the neighborhood with growing populations of Hmong, Latino and African Americans, all looking for a path to prosperity.

The East Side (defined by Nexus as the Payne-Phalen and Dayton's Bluff neighborhoods), is host to an experienced group of organizations who understand that community prosperity requires a focus on both people and places. Since 2003, Nexus Community Partners has supported organizations on the East Side who are engaging residents and connecting them to economic development opportunities so that assets (social and financial) are developed and strengthened and that the community and its residents prosper.

A sample of current initiatives include:

East Side Housing Initiative (ESHI).

The Eastside Homeownership Initiative, a 5-year initiative generously funded by the John S and James L Knight Foundation, was created by Nexus Community Partners in 2004 to support successful, sustainable home ownership within underserved communities, particularly recent immigrants and communities of color, on the East Side of St. Paul. Through ESHI, Nexus is strengthening the infrastructure for successful home ownership by building the capacity of organizations to provide culturally appropriate financial tools and products, to develop the financial skills of residents and to ensure homeowners are connected to their community and positioned for long-term success. Partners include, American Indian Family Center, Casa de Esperanza, Community NHS, East Side Neighborhood Development Company, East Side Family Center, Economic and Cultural Wellness Center, Hmong American Partnership, Neighborhood Development Alliance (NeDA), and the Sustainable Home Ownership Program (SHOP). Nexus not only invests in these organizations, we weave and connect them together, creating a comprehensive infrastructure that enhances results and betters the lives of East Side residents.

Prosperity Campaign

The Prosperity Campaign is a growing movement of multicultural residents dedicated to the comprehensive revitalization of the Eastside. The Prosperity Campaign's vision for the Eastside was organized into four large issue areas: Community Wealth and Prosperity; Community Voice, Belonging and Action; Community Health and Wellness; and Community Education and Learning. An action agenda has been developed and eight projects have been selected to be funded. The projects will demonstrate momentum and be used to gather additional community support and foundation resources. In addition to providing critical funding, Nexus Community Partners is a member of the Interim Steering Committee and subcommittees, providing strategic guidance, ensuring community-based partners are engaged and overseeing the implementation of select projects.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is a key strategy in our broader work of community building. Community members are engaged in efforts to recognize and build their own personal assets and potential, and to connect with others to create a stronger civic engagement infrastructure within and across neighborhoods. Nexus supports two key engagement partners, Casa de Esperanza and the Economic and Cultural Wellness Center, as they advance their work in the community. These organizations go deep into their communities, make connections to their most excluded residents, create economic development opportunities, and provide cultural foundations upon which their communities can thrive. These organizations are also working across communities, bridging cultures and learning from one another.