North End

“Many low-income children have stable and enriching homes, where parents provide ample early learning opportunities and are hopeful about their children’s future. Nevertheless, too many low-income parents, along with the early learning providers and agencies aiming to help them, face daunting challenges and potential barriers for achieving school readiness.” In a nutshell, that was the conclusion of a Wilder research study focusing on school readiness of low-income children. The study suggests that access to high-quality early care and education should be provided to low-income families. MORE »

Early on a cool, hazy Friday morning, people cross the street from McDonough Homes to stand in line at the garage located behind the large white house at Wheelock Parkway and Jackson Street in Saint Paul. Most are silent, keeping to themselves, though some engage in spirited conversations. After a while, the back door opens and Sister Kathleen Spencer steps outside, greeting everyone as she walks to the garage. When she opens the door, people slowly move into the garage where an assortment of bakery goods and other food awaits. MORE »

At first glance, Orchard Recreation Center looks like any other rec center in Saint Paul. However, when you approach the front doors you quickly notice the difference. Taped to the door, is a letter from the City of Saint Paul Division of Parks and Recreation that reads: MORE »

It’s Sunday afternoon on Rice Street, and the old-timers flock into Tin Cup’s Lounge and Restaurant at Rice and Maryland. One woman in the crowd describes the crowd as “everybody’s grandma and grandpa.” They come to hear the lively polka music of Roger Van Horn’s one-man polka band. They’re here to eat, to visit, to dance the polka, and to sing along. In the same little shopping mall two doors away, at the Double Dragon Supermarket, Hmong families load up their vans with bags of rice, crates of persimmon, and fresh tilapia. This is Rice Street today. MORE »