GMCC

GMCC, previously known as the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, is a multicultural, interfaith organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1905, it has a long-standing commitment to uniting people of faith to serve those in need. Over its 115-year history, GMCC has evolved to focus on addressing equity, poverty, and community development through various initiatives.

Mission and Activities

GMCC's mission is centered around advocacy, education, volunteerism, service learning, mentoring, youth development, support for seniors, and hunger relief. The organization aims to strengthen community bonds and foster well-being across Minnesota. Its activities encompass several key areas:

Well-being

GMCC recognizes that social determinants of health, such as employment, education, social connections, and access to healthy food, significantly impact overall health outcomes. Therefore, it focuses on these determinants to maximize its community impact.

Youth Development

GMCC invests in providing safe, nurturing environments for youth. This involves offering educational opportunities, skill development, community connection, and support to help young people grow into global citizens. The organization's efforts are particularly crucial in areas like the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, which faces challenges of high poverty and educational disparities.

Food Security

GMCC works to eliminate hunger by addressing both immediate and long-term food insecurity issues. It promotes community engagement and sustainable solutions to ensure that no one goes hungry.

Programs and Initiatives

• Minnesota FoodShare: Established in 1981, this program is a core component of GMCC's food security efforts. It engages communities annually during the March Campaign to raise food and funds for food shelves across Minnesota.

• LakeStreet Youth Labs (formerly Genius Labs): Launched in 2021, this initiative provides STEAM education, digital access, and support to middle and high school students, enhancing their creativity, independence, and critical thinking skills.

• GMCC Recovery Care: Offers culturally specific recovery coaching and support services to aid in long-term recovery.

• Food Distribution: GMCC has been involved in food distribution since the COVID-19 pandemic, providing prepared meals and groceries to communities in need.

• Face The Facts: Poverty Simulation Training: An award-winning program focused on educating about the complexities of poverty and social justice.

Recent Developments

GMCC has demonstrated its adaptability by pivoting programs based on community feedback. For example, it adjusted its meal distribution efforts to better serve Somali communities by delivering warm meals instead of cold ones, recognizing the importance of cultural sensitivity. Additionally, GMCC overhauled its long-running Kinship mentoring program to better align with community needs, incorporating diverse perspectives and feedback into its new programming.

GMCC continues to evolve, addressing changing circumstances while remaining true to its core mission of serving those in need and fostering equity across Minnesota.