CAPI USA

Basic NeedsIn 2024, CAPI's Basic Needs programming served approximately 7,196 unduplicated individuals across 3 program areas. Key outputs and outcomes of this unit's programs included: Food Shelf & Nutrition Services CAPI's client choice food shelf served 1,876 households and 5,628 individuals in 2024, gearing up and transitioning to a Super Shelf model (which means a greater variety of healthy and culturally relevant foods at all times!). Services distributed 316,600 pounds of food, hosted 10 large fresh produce distributions and special distribution events, provided monthly home delivery services to 53 seniors. In addition, CAPI's Urban Garden program continues to support Hmong seniors with 20 community gardening plots that provide additional food resources, cultural preservation, and a community outlet for Hmong seniors during the growing season. Farmers Market CAPI became the new manager of the Brooklyn Center Farmers Market in 2024, seeing approximately 300 individuals each Thursday, from July-September. We connected with the community through the sharing of resources, and bringing the regular farmers and vendors, along with a selection of new ones to the market. CAPI's Farmers Market Manager worked to get SNAP/EBT accessibility set up for the market, the first time this has happened in the history of the event. Hmong Senior Support Services CAPI's Senior & Caregiver Support programming saw 42 Hmong adult caregivers supported in 2024 through 125.5 hours of Caregiver Counseling, 437 participated in Caregiver Support Groups, and 348 received Information and Access Assistance (Including access to garden plots, home food deliver, benefits enrollment, and additional life and referral supports). The program continues to be a significant support to the Hmong community and is often the only support for caregivers available within their community. The Hmong Folk Choir saw an average of 10 Choir Participants per/month and conducted 7 choral events throughout the year 2024, reaching 510 people. In addition, through outreach activity 694 Hmong community members received education and information on Dementia and Alzheimer's. Participants report that the program has become the highlight of their week and created a social network that they did not have before. It also continues to prompt conversation within the community and with the broader aging organizational network about cross-cultural ways to address dementia. Community Health CAPI reached 290,000 individuals through education/outreach efforts, facilitated 45 in-person outreach events/vaccine & testing clinics, and vaccinated 950 persons at 45 vaccination clinics. At these same clinics CAPI assisted 205 persons in receiving Health Screenings and distributed 1,388 pieces of PPE. With funding from both Hennepin County and MDH, CAPI continued partnership with Yoga Sanctuary to provide yoga certification to another 2 BIPOC individuals. The 4 yoga instructors trained through this program last year conducted a total of 76 free Yoga classes in the community helping 267 residents in low income and underserved communities (North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, and Brooklyn Park) better use holistic medicine to address mental health issues, physical exercise, and stress reduction.

Economic EmpowermentIn 2024, CAPI served 1,146 unduplicated individuals through jobs and training programming, financial and homeownership services, and free tax services. Highlights included: Career Plans 402 MFIP and Career Pathways participants completed a work readiness assessment and developed a Career Plan. Job placement, income gains, & credentials earned 185 individuals secured and maintained employment with an average hourly wage of $21.80; 81 individuals successfully completed training; 53 earned at least one industry-recognized credential in healthcare, property maintenance, and/or green energy and 37 people continue in training to obtain at least one industry recognized credential.Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) Served 252 individuals in 2024. Case Managers provided ongoing support and and advocacy to ensure success. The Counselor also assisted those solely seeking employment, assessing their situation to help them become job-ready. This included resume building, cover letter review, mock interviews, and even physically driving individuals to interviews. Our Education & Career Counselor effectively provided intensive case management services to MFIP participants seeking employment or training opportunities. This program concluded on December 31, 2024, and will not continue in the future. Career Pathways Our team served 164 individuals in 2024 and continued its services through (1) Property Maintenance Training in partnership with Century College and Osseo Adult Education; (2) Green Energy Training in partnership with the Center For Energy and Environment; (3) Certified Nursing Assistant training; (4) Long Term Care program in partnership with Century College and Osseo Adult Basic Education); (5) Southeast Asian job placement and training Services; (6) Internationally Trained STEM Professionals program for individuals seeking to acquire international credentials/transcripts reviewed from World Education Services, connect with and pass board/national certification exams, gain credit for prior higher learning, and obtain equivalent healthcare careers in the United States, and (7) the Restaurant Ready Program in partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation for individuals seeking to acquire credential/training for the hospitality industry. In 2024, our General Job Search services made a substantial difference by providing one-on-one job counseling to 43 individuals. Additionally, 67 individuals enhanced their skills through our work readiness and digital literacy workshops. We also organized 12 job fairs, encompassing both industry-specific and general job opportunities. These events were highly successful, with enthusiastic participation from employers who contributed to training cohorts, offered valuable insights, conducted mock interviews, and shared practical tips and information on job opportunities.Financial coaching and financial education The integrated services of CAPI's Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) provided 107 new individuals with 1:1 financial coaching and 78 existing participants for a total of 178. 85% of participants indicated at least one key financial outcome. FOC staff worked with 88 individuals to complete a family budget; 45 achieved at least one goal of their action plan, 20 increased their credit scores, 3 participants established credit for the first time, and 107 clients completed financial education classes (with 90% indicating enhanced knowledge).Homebuyer Services In 2024, 242 clients completed 8-hour Homestretch workshops; 107 received homebuyer financial wellness or homebuyer counseling, with 14 purchasing homes. CAPI hosted a monthly Homestretch Workshop to address language barriers and partnered with housing professionals who speak Spanish and Hmong. In 2024, the agency achieved HUD approval as a Housing Counseling Agency, marking a significant milestone that enhances its capacity and community impact. Throughout the year, 45 individuals achieved key financial outcomes, with 36 increasing their monthly savings and 6 reducing their debt. Thanks to Allianz funding, we distributed $6,700 in match savings to clients, with additional funds allocated for 2025. We also secured sponsorship from Wells Fargo to support comprehensive financial literacy workshops and two additional Homestretch workshops, further expanding their community education efforts. Additionally, the agency orchestrated the first AANHPI Resource Event in collaboration with community API partners to celebrate Asian Heritage Month and improve access to vital support services. They also launched the first Hmong Homestretch Workshop, providing essential homeownership resources to the Hmong community. Finally, CAPI partnered with such organizations as US Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Cross Country Mortgage, Guaranteed Rate, NARHREP, and AAREA to promote its services.