MCN and Host Sites

Through its partnership with CNCS, MCN manages a specific number of positions on an annual basis. MCN distributes the positions to nonprofit organizations whose goals align with the mission of the MCN VISTA program. Organizations must submit an application to MCN detailing what they hope the VISTA will accomplish in order to acquire a VISTA. This is known as a work plan. Every host site’s work plan must adhere to the core goals of the MCN VISTA program and have a capacity-building focus.

 
 

Camp Fire - Excelsior, mn

Camp Fire's mission is to use nature as their catalyst to energize youth to discover their spark, so their futures grow brighter. Camp Fire's vision is to give all young Minnesotans the chance to grow and gather around their Camp Fire, any time of year.

 

CAIR-MN - Minneapolis, MN

CAIR's vision is to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding. CAIR's mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

 

Community Grassroots Solutions (CGS) elevates immigrants and refugee communities from poverty and vulnerability to self-sufficiency and to help local communities move forward together. CGS strives to increase education and job opportunities; and encourages community collaboration initiatives among the immigrant community in the St. Cloud area.

 

Open Cupboard - Oakdale, MN

Open Cupboard began in 1983 as the Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf or CCEFS. Their unrelenting focus is to provide nutritious food to their neighbors in a respectful manner while engaging the community in the fight against hunger.

 

The International Institute of Minnesota empowers New Americans to achieve full membership in American life through refugee resettlement, immigration services, career development and English language instruction. They seek a community where New Americans can find respect, support, and safety, and where they can achieve their full potential in their new lives.

 

Isuroon - Minneapolis, MN

Isuroon is dedicated to building Somali women and girls’ social connectedness and self-sufficiency so that they can lead healthier, more productive lives in Minnesota and globally. Isuroon envisions a world where Somali women and girls are healthy, connected, and empowered, and their families are thriving in Minnesota and globally.

 

JugAad Leadership Program - St. Cloud, Minnesota

The Jugaad Leadership Program empowers participants to, assume individual and collective responsibility for positive change in our community; influence positive change at the city, county, state and national levels; and increase levels of communication and understanding between program participants and mainstream leaders.

 

Merrick’s mission is to support individuals and families to navigate life transitions, find health and stability, and promote independence. Since 1908, Merrick has served the East Side of St. Paul by providing education, nutrition, and social services focused on meeting basic needs and gaining skills to create a better future for individuals, their families, and community.

 

Second Harvest Heartland - brooklyn park, MN

Second Harvest Heartland believes ending hunger is a solvable problem when we all come together. Second Harvest Heartland is more than a food bank. It is one of the largest, most efficient and most innovative hunger-relief organizations in the nation. For more than 20 years, Second Harvest Heartland has served as the primary regional food bank for the Twin Cities metro, greater Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

 

Minnesota Urban Debate League - Minneapolis, MN

The Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL) empowers students through competitive academic debate to become engaged learners, critical thinkers, and active global citizens who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities. Currently, MNUDL serves more than 1,200 students at 40 partner schools and has seen sustained growth in student participation since its inception in 2004.

 

American Indian OIC- Minneapolis, MN

The mission of American Indian OIC is to empower American Indians who wish to pursue career opportunities, providing individualized education, training and human services in a culturally rich environment.

 

NRRC informs, engages, and facilitates the residents of the Near North and Willard Hay neighborhoods in Minneapolis to be primary agents for improving the social, economic, environmental, and livability conditions in their community.

 

Planting People Growing Justice (PPGJ) publishes and promotes books that encourage and empower children to find joy in reading. PPGJ is a Black woman-owned children’s book publisher and social enterprise that seeks to increase diversity in books and promote youth leadership development. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Artika R. Tyner, award-winning author and nationally recognized civil rights attorney, Planting People Growing Justice seeks to inspire the next generation of leaders with the belief “leaders are readers.” Their books provide young leaders with the tools needed to make a difference in the world.

 

The Power of People Leadership Institute is committed to engaging youth and adults in research-based interactive learning experiences through mentoring and curriculum, that challenges, inspires and informs them to overcome their obstacles and find success in every area of life through personal power, personal development and leadership training.

 

Promise Neighborhood of Central MN engages Talahi families and helps them achieve their educational, economic, and community aspirations. Through their family, community, and parent workshop programs, Promise Neighborhood works to ensure that students receive the support and encouragement needed from the home community.

 

Sewa-Aifw - minneapolis mn

Sewa-Aifw is a nonprofit organization committed to serving, supporting, and enhancing family wellness for the South Asian community. Especially the vulnerable and underserved, in the Twin Cities and around Minnesota, by providing health care access and wellness information and resources; access to family violence resources and supports; and elder socialization activities.

 

semcac - St. Paul, MN

The mission of Semcac is to empower and advocate for people to enhance their self-sufficiency by maximizing community resources. Semcac’s vision is thriving individuals, families and communities leading a vibrant southeast Minnesota region.

 

Women Venture - minneapolis mn

Women Venture’s mission is to help women attain economic self-sufficiency through the creation and growth of profitable and sustainable businesses. Their vision is to empower entrepreneurial women with tools, capital, and support to lead businesses that create living wage jobs.

 

Yes network - st. cloud, mn

The Yes Network is dedicated to creating vibrant, loving, prosperous engagement with youth and families in the neighborhoods in which they live.Engaged youth and active parents playing and working together will foster safe neighborhoods, healthy families, and strong communities.