Success Stories

“Upon release from the Shakopee Women’s Correctional Facility, Rochelle enrolled in MIWRC’s Healing Journey Program. Since that time, she has maintained her sobriety and participates regularly in group and one-on-one activities. Rochelle now has a job at the Native American Community Clinic, is completely self sufficient and feels strong in her new life. She recently graduated from the Healing Journey Program, and is going on to help others heal and rebuild their lives. This is the true spirit of Zhoo-way-nah-dig, taking care of one another.”

“Grace is a 19 year old mother of one child. Upon entering the Oshkinigiikwe program, she was using drugs, unemployed, living in an abusive situation. She was also overwhelmed by being a parent and reached out to us for help. Within five months of MIWRC programming, she has stopped using all drugs, learned new parenting skills, found her own apartment, and ended the abusive relationship. She is currently looking for full time work and continues to enjoy learning about her Ojibwe culture, which she credits for helping her turn her life around. ”

“When she came to MIWRC for housing services, Ann was homeless and caring for her grandchild. With our help, she is now in stable housing and has applied for financial assistance to start a new business. She credits MIWRC’s Family Housing Specialist with helping her find a safe place for her and her granddaughter to live and dream. ”

“When the Native American Parenting Traditions Revisited (NAPTR) parenting curriculum was piloted at MIWRC recently, all participants demonstrated 100% sobriety during the course. They credited NAPTR with helping them learn where they came from, what their tribal traditions were and how these traditions could help them stay strong.  ”

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    My name is Ashley I am 26 years old and I’m an enrolled member from the Standing Rock Sioux Nation. I’m engaged to my loving fiancée Wayne and we have three Sons and One daughter. I’ve been here in the Twin Cities since March 2009. I relocated here from Bismarck N.D shortly after I received my degree in Nutrition from United Tribes Technical College. Being that my Fiancee was from South Minneapolis and my admiration for the Indian Community I was excited for the move.  Times got hard because we didn’t have our own place and jobs didn’t come by easy which made us vulnerable and often stressed. With our good faith and sobriety, I began searching for more support and encouragement and that is when I came across the Minnesota Indians Women’s Resource Center. I was happy to find out that MIWRC was willing to help my family out being we were a two parent family. I appreciated that I could be completely honest with my family’s situation and not have to worry about being discriminated against for being with my Fiancee. Eventually we found jobs and were on the right path to independence but as usual theirs always those obstacles that come up and we had a couple for instance, we had a car but needed car insurance and we found a place to live but didn’t quite have enough for first months rent and deposit fortunately, MIWRC was able to assist us financially with our situation. They paid two months car insurance and also helped pay for our 1st months rent. I am so grateful for the programs at MIWRC they gave my family and I the head start we needed to become financially stable. The workers were friendly and very informative especially Karen and Tamara who went great lengths to make sure my family and I were taken care of. Thank you so much MIWRC! ”