St. Louis Park City Council

STUDY SESSION

January 14, 2019

EXPLORING A COLLABORATIVE

COMMUNITY CONNECTION CENTER

What we are talking about

A partnership between the city and STEP for a Community Connection Center that strategically co-locates services and meets shared community goals.

Long & Successful history of STEP-City partnerships

STEP provides essential services to stabilize 8% of St. Louis Park residents. There is an opportunity to expand STEP’s impact through a shared community center, that would allow the city and other partners access to respond to and address residents’ needs.

WHY A PARTNERSHIP?

BACKGROUND

Previous interest in a “hub” or community center

St. Louis Park Comprehensive Plan

City Council Strategic Priorities

STEP’s Strategic Plan

Walker Building

STEP Board request to explore options

Community Connection

Center

Welcoming physical

space

Easy for residents to

access(Historic Walker Lake)

City resources and

information

STEP resources

STEP seasonal programs, volunteer

events, community

events

Other partners: clinics,

community meetings

VISION

Offsite (donated spaces)

Holiday Toy Shop

Back to School Program

Board meetings

Volunteer trainings

Free Bikes for Kids

STEP events

STEP - 6812 West Lake Street

Food program (limited by space)

Clothing program (limited by space)

Social Workers (4)

Children resources (diapers, formula, birthday bags)

STEP administrative staff (3) & other program staff (5)

STEP SERVICES WITH CURRENT FACILITY

STEP’S MISSED OPPORTUNITIES DUE TO SPACE

Hosting partner staff

Hosting partner clinics/events

Volunteer events (more than 15 people)

Fresh produce distributions

Community Connection Center

Clothing program (EXPANDED)

Multimodal space for events/clinics

STEP seasonal programs distribution & storage

Drop-in resource center & reception room

Conference room for volunteer events, board meetings, donor events & community partners.

STEP EXPANDED SERVICES WITH NEW FACILITY

Proximate to each other

STEP - 6812 West Lake Street

Food program (EXPANDED—including special fresh produce distributions)

Social Workers (4)

Children resources (diapers, formula, birthday bags)

STEP administrative staff (3) & other program staff (5) (Potential partial move to New Facility)

City & Community Opportunities

Access to city resources & information

Space for community gathering

Space for community events

Collaboration among city, STEP, other partners

Community Connection Center

STEP Opportunities

Clothing program (EXPANDED)

Multimodal space for events/clinics

STEP seasonal programs distribution & storage

Drop-in resource center & reception room

Conference room for volunteer events, board meetings, donor events & community partners

Why do we need a community connection

center?

1. Singular access point for residents

2. Facilitate relationships and access among STEP, residents and city

3. Empowers STEP to fully provide vital services

4. Anchor for Historic Walker Lake revitalization efforts

5. Promotes mobility/accessibility

6. Fosters on-going collaborations

VISIONA partnership between the city and STEP for a Community Connection Center that strategically co-locates services and meets shared community goals.

Policy consideration

Does the city council wish to pursue a partnership with STEP to create a community connection center?