ABOUT US: RESOURCE CENTER OF THE AMERICAS
INTRODUCTION–PROGRAMS–MISSION–HISTORY–FINANCES
PERSONNEL–OUR HOME–2000 HIGHLIGHTS–CONTACT US
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New Community, New Challenges

Settling into our new building, learning about our new neighborhood, expanding programs and adding others—these accomplishments defined 2000, our first year at 3019 Minnehaha Avenue, our home in south Minneapolis. The year was exhilarating and challenging. And, like so many years before, it was possible only through steadfast community generosity in time, money and resources.

Maintaining the building was not easy. After acquiring and renovating the 15,000-square-foot facility in 1999, we quickly had to master such intricacies as elevator maintenance, fire safety and room scheduling. We worked hard to keep the building clean and secure for dozens of community groups and thousands of individuals using it regularly. We are proud to have fostered all their conversations, learning and planning. It was democracy in action.

Becoming acquainted with Longfellow, our neighborhood, was a joy. We were thrilled to join efforts to redevelop the intersection of 27th Avenue South and East Lake Street. We appreciated working with the Longfellow Community Council, which is guiding many of the changes. In 2001, four more Latino organizations—Centro Legal, La Clínica, La Oportunidad and Chicanos Latinos Unidos en Servicio (CLUES)—will become our neighbors. Our priorities for the coming year include turning a parcel of pavement adjacent to our building’s south side into a space for gardens and public art.

As we settled in, our programs took big strides. During 2000, the number of participants in our language classes, workshops and seminars increased by a third; bilingual programming doubled; bookstore sales doubled; and AMERICAS.ORG traffic tripled. That’s growth!

At the same time, we initiated a major project to meet the needs of tens of thousands of Latino immigrants in the Twin Cities area. We spent six months investigating possibilities for a center that would enable low-wage newcomers to educate and organize themselves. The concept inspired tremendous community interest, including financial support. With a director, a community organizer and a strong advisory committee in place, the Centro de Derechos Laborales launched formally at the beginning of 2001.

Finally, we laid the groundwork for an outdoor tile mural, “Mosaic of the Americas: Many Strengths, Many Struggles,” to be produced in the summer of 2001. This cross-border collaboration between artists in Minnesota and Mexico began with an inspirational two-week visit by a pair of veteran muralists based in Morelia, Michoacán, who are taking a leading role in the project. The mural, covering a side of our building, will express Resource Center values and commitments beautifully. And it will be a wonderful aesthetic contribution to the neighborhood and city.

I want to humbly thank the thousands of people—from volunteers to donors, from participants in our programs to patrons of our businesses—who supported the organization in 2000. You walked with us to build a more just society. We are grateful.

– Pamela Costain
Executive Director

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