OpenBeam aligned community projects

The following are projects that OpenBeam is either interested in (and therefore logging and following their progress) or to whose progress we have made some amount of contributions:

Project Phase Definitions

The following defines the various project phases:

Archived - proposal deemed unable to get through the project cycle at this time (eg. grant proposal did not get selected); Ideation - an idea or concept that has some amount of social appeal for further exploration.
Concept- idea scoped out with enough details to give an early sizing and/or to build a proof of concept
Planning - idea is solid, stakeholders are identified, and there is strong commitment to go forward from all parties.
Development - program or application is being developed
On-going program - a product, program or service is in production or the project is completed (e.g. A funded grant was successfully executed).

Archived or Ideation	Concept Phase	Planning Phase	Development Phase	On-going or Completed
Economic Development: BioRochester and MedHub 3.0 Description: DMC EDA is submitting BioRochester proposal for the Federal Tech Hubs grant. The Tech Hubs Program is an economic development initiative designed to drive regional technology- and innovation-centric growth by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies. This program will invest directly in regions with the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to transform into globally competitive innovation centers in approximately 10 years while catalyzing the creation of good jobs for American workers at all skill levels, both equitably and inclusively. Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Funding ; OpenBeam ; STEM ; Technology Enablement ; Workforce Development Led by : DMC EDA Health Determinants: NIH ComPASS: Intersection of Food, Culture & Health Grant Proposal Description: Forming coalition to apply to the grant. The purpose of this Research Opportunity Announcement (ROA) is to solicit applications from community organizations to develop, implement, assess, and disseminate co-created community-led, health equity structural interventions, in partnership with research organizations, that intervene upon structural factors that produce and perpetuate health disparities. Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Food ; Health ; OpenBeam Led by : National Institutes of Health Common Fund	Beam Up DEI Actions for Area CBO's Description: Many area Community Based Organizations(CBO) to their credit are embarking on DEI projects and seek friendly guidance how to get going. OpenBeam to help identify actions that area organizations may pursue to make impacts on area's DEI needs. OpenBeam to provide assistance in two ways : (1) OpenBeam's founder, Al Lun, will serve as Diversity Council ambassador to be a conduit of information sharing between the CBO's and Diversity Council. If requested, a DC staff person may also join in the effort. (2) OpenBeam's dmcbeam.org community assets database is made available to enable community resources connectivity in general. Impacting : Best Practice ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement Led by : OpenBeam.net Co-design Tracker Description: To showcase Rochester Area's Co-design projects and to track the progress toward implementing their recommendations. Impacting : Best Practice ; Business Process ; Co-design ; Diversity and Inclusion ; OpenBeam Led by : OpenBeam Digital Equity IT Description: Increase access to and effective use of technological devices and programs among communities experiencing barriers in the Rochester area. To do this, we will generate immediate and longer-term solutions related to the following barriers to access: 1) technological devices/hardware with appropriate software installed (computers and tablets); 2) affordable, reliable internet; and 3) culturally appropriate education to support digital literacy. Impacting : Children & Youth ; Computer Literacy ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement Led by : Rochester Area Nonprofit Consortium Health Equity: Community Health Collaboration Portal Description: Co-design and apply the emerging operational model of Community Mobilization Resource Coalition (CMRC), which attends to transparency, accountability, responsiveness, process-centric (TARP) attributes of collaboration, in a 12 month digital-innovation proof-of-concept project to validate results of increased productivity and improved participant experience in the 2024 Community Health Improvement process. Impacting : Addiction ; Caring Relationship ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Health ; Medical Services ; Mental Health ; OpenBeam ; Vision/Identity Led by : Community Mobilization Resource Coalition (CMRC) Intercultural Center, Rochester (Creating a 21st Century Community Space) Description: A Place for All. Third Sector's shared space concept would provide a common entry point to community resources through its "front door" concept. Seeking 40,000 - 50,000 sf of public space for 3 core uses.  Community Cultural Center providing interactive gathering spaces for civic engagement, education, celebration.  Community Front Door offering a centralized entry point for individuals seeking access to community resources and activities.  Nonprofit COOP functions as the enterprise, funding general operations for the entire facility while creating operational efficiencies for NPOs. Impacting : Arts & Culture ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Food ; Interaction ; International ; Intelligence ; Language ; OpenBeam ; Welcoming Led by : Community Mobilization Resource Coalition (CMRC) NIH Challenge Grant - Build Up Trust Description: On increasing underserved communities participation in disease research. The NIH Build UP Trust prize challenge aims to utilize new and existing strategies to improve engagement with underserved populations, in order to generate new solutions that address trust as a barrier to the adoption of both new and existing healthcare tools and diagnostics. Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Health ; Mental Health ; OpenBeam Led by : National Institutes of Health Common Fund Rochester Intercultural Economic Exchange (RICE) Description: Many Rochester groups have individual efforts to increase cultural and trade relationship with emerging global markets. These efforts can be made more effective if coordinated and they receive a local leadership sponsorship from local governments and business leaders. Rochester-MN with its DMC initiative is in a unique position to play a brokering role. Impacting : Best Practice ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Entrepreneurship ; International ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement Led by : OpenBeam.net	2024 The Year of Respect Description: You and many other community leaders are invited to join in this effort to begin to bring about positive change in 2024. We need your influence during the next 12 months to transform a negative environment into a community which is Full of Respect, and Who Value Others! Watch for a big announcement in January! Impacting : Caring Relationship ; Civic Engagement ; Networking ; OpenBeam Led by : National Community Resource Center America's City for Health Description: Interlocking between DMC, Olmsted County and Rochester City and Community organizations to ensure social impacts are factored into DMC project evaluation process and City Comprehensive Plan (P2S). Impacting : Aging ; Best Practice ; Business Process ; Civic Engagement ; Commitment ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Governance/Public Policy ; Health ; Housing ; International ; Intelligence ; Mental Health ; OpenBeam ; Sustainability ; Technology Enablement ; Transportation ; Workforce Development Led by : DMC EDA DEI Practioner Convenings Description: Rochester Area Foundation has signed on in support of the Commitment to Racial Justice that was crafted by the Rochester Nonprofit Consortium. Together, we stand in solidarity with those who seek justice and racial equity. We have committed to listen, learn and act in support of the following:  addressing the policies and practices that influence racism, structural bias and inequity;  connecting to resources, organizations, and best practices to apply a race equity lens; and  building capacity within our organization and community to promote social and economic mobility and wellbeing for all residents. Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; OpenBeam Led by : Rochester Area Foundation Partcipation in DEED's Digital Opportunity Plan Description: 1.1.1 \| Vision Statement This plan envisions a future where digital equity connects all Minnesota residents to opportunities, options, and each other. 1.1.2 \| Goals and Objectives The following list provides a summary of Minnesota’s digital opportunity goals and objectives as proposed in this plan. Further details, including specific strategies and key performance indicators, are spelled out at length in Section 3.0. Goal 1: Connect People to People 1. Minnesota’s digital opportunity advocates and educators statewide are a strong, united group who can lean on each other for fresh ideas, new strategies, and consistent support. 2. All Minnesotans have access to a trusted provider of digital skills training, including training that addresses cybersecurity. 3. All Minnesotans have access to a trusted provider of quality technical support. Goal 2: Connect People to Information 1. Minnesotans can access comprehensive data and mapping tools to evaluate digital opportunity in their area as well as statewide. 2. All Minnesota cities, counties, and tribes have the opportunity to create localized data-driven digital opportunity plans to support their residents and tribal members. 3. All city, county, and tribal government units have the opportunity to re-design their websites so that they are fully accessible to people with disabilities and people with limited English literacy skills. Goal 3: Connect People to Resources 1. All Minnesota households have the option to afford the internet service available at their location. 2. All Minnesota adults have the option to have afford a large-screen device or smartphone, whichever most efficiently helps them access the applications they require. 3. New digital opportunity pathways reach Minnesotans who are at high risk for being digitally excluded. Impacting : Aging ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Funding ; Health ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement Led by : OpenBeam Rochester Vision 2050 Description: Our city has undertaken a broad array of initiatives to create a bright future for her citizens and constituencies. These should be guided by a clear, optimistic, aspirational vision. 2050: Far enough for limitless possibilities; close enough to begin today to serve Rochester’s next generation and beyond. Vision 2050 Steering Committee guides this initiative A large volunteer group will put “Vision in Action”, using co-design to engage the community to share ideas and priorities for Rochester’s future. Impacting : Arts & Culture ; Best Practice ; Caring Relationship ; Civic Engagement ; Co-design ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Education ; OpenBeam ; Vision/Identity Led by : City of Rochester, MN Update Intercultural Cities Initiative (ICI) Index Description: The Intercultural City Initiative is a bold effort on the part of a wide variety of organizations and individuals to align the collective power, creativity, expertise, and energy of our cities toward a future of inclusive growth. Inspired by the comprehensive and coordinated approach of the Council of Europe Intercultural City program, Minnesota’s Intercultural City Initiative is focused on using high leverage influence strategies to realize this future faster. Impacting : Best Practice ; Business Process ; Caring Relationship ; Commitment ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Governance/Public Policy ; International ; Intelligence ; Mediation ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement ; Vision/Identity Led by : City of Rochester, MN	Age-Friendly Olmsted County (AFOC) Plan Description: Age-Friendly Olmsted County (AFOC) is a cross-sector initiative to ensure that residents of Olmsted County have what they need to live with autonomy and dignity in all life’s stages. When Olmsted County became a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in early 2020, it officially joined a global movement, with roots in the World Health Organization, to help cities and communities respond to an aging population and prepare for a permanently older society. Impacting : Aging ; Best Practice ; Caring Relationship ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Health ; Housing ; Mental Health ; OpenBeam ; Transportation Led by : Family Service Rochester Building Out Community Mobilization Resources Coalition Description: Purpose: Change power dynamics to create a pluralistic and intercultural community where all people benefit equitably. Goal: Create equitable access to community resources and civic involvement. Impacting : Aging ; Arts & Culture ; Best Practice ; Business Process ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Leadership ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement Led by : Community Mobilization Resource Coalition (CMRC) Discovery Walk Co-designing Description: Public realm along the 2nd Avenue corridor from 2nd Street to 6th Street (Soldiers Field.) Impacting : Best Practice ; Diversity and Inclusion ; OpenBeam ; Recreation & Open Space ; Vision/Identity Led by : DMC EDA Joint Studies on tackling Racism as a Public Health Issue Description: Olmsted County commissioners are looking to tackle racism as a public health issue. The board on August 4, 2020 unanimously approved a measure officially asking members of the county’s Public Health Services Advisory Board and Human Rights Commission to work together to investigate racism and disparities in health care. Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Governance/Public Policy ; Health ; OpenBeam Led by : County of Olmsted, MN Microsoft Office 365 Cloud Usage Enablement Description: MS Office 365, comprising SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, Planner, Power Automate, Forms, etc, has been adopted and installed by many area non-profits, which is a good step toward cloud-based collaboration so that information and document sharing can take place outside the office. However, much of the power of Office 365 is not known to these organizations, such as how it can be used to build intranet/extranet websites and workflow applications that manage essential operations such as contact (Client/Donor) management. This project will lead to: (1) Getting small non-profits to better use products such as SharePoint and (2) Build simple CRM (or other apps) to demonstrate the quick app development capability of SharePoint, Power Automate. Impacting : Business Process ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement Led by : openBeam.net OpenBeam: A "For Purpose" Enterprise Description: Exploring the building out of Open Beam as a "For-Purpose" entity to support community initiatives. Many social/economical development initiatives suffer from vertical organizational structures that have their origin in the industrial age of emphasizing command and control. Vertical structures are silo in nature and do not facilitate cross structural information sharing and individual accountability. They inadvertently create distrust and thwart innovation. This project builds out the Open Beam entity to demonstrate how a “For-Purpose” dynamic organization works. The result is that Open Beam’s way of doing work becomes a proof point that we should let go of the traditional organizational model and adopt a holacratic framework to mobilize team effort. In so doing, Open Beam will help area non-profit or small organizations become more effective in their governance and their use of cloud technologies. Impacting : Best Practice ; Business Process ; Entrepreneurship ; OpenBeam ; Pandemic ; Technology Enablement Led by : openBeam.net RCTC/Perkins Collective Impact Description: Collaborating with RCTC to strengthen Career and Technical Education: The Perkins V Federal Grant for Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides funds for approved Career and Technical Education programs. In Minnesota, funds are distributed on the basis of state-approved career and technical education programs and appropriate teacher licensure. Programs are administered under Minnesota Rules Chapter 3505 and the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). Impacting : CMRC ; Co-design ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Funding ; Governance/Public Policy ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam ; Workforce Development Led by : Rochester Community & Technical College	Community Dashboard Description: Many best-practiced communities have implemented community web-based dashboards to provide a "read-out" of the health and wellness metrics of the community. DMCC's website is a push technology and not so much as social, collaborative virtual teaming site. Olmsted County, Mayo, OMG (and others) have just completed a community health study and published a report. We should go further and have a plan to be more agile and responsive in changing statistics by implementing a dashboard. Impacting : Best Practice ; Business Process ; Children & Youth ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement Led by : openBEAM.net Equity Alliance Description: Our purpose is to accelerate equity change and impact disparities through reparations, restoration, and reformation based on radical collaboration. Impacting : Diversity and Inclusion ; OpenBeam Led by : DMC EDA Global Technovation Challenge Description: Technovation is a 3-month program where teams of young women work together to imagine, design, and develop mobile apps, then pitch their “startup” businesses to investors. Impacting : Children & Youth ; Computer Literacy ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam ; STEM Led by : Rochester Area Math and Science Partnership Housing Alliance Coalition Description: A continuing project to realize this purpose: “We are a cross-sector Alliance of organizations and individuals who seek to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing that meets community needs and priorities in the Rochester area, through shared information, coordination, and collaboration.” Impacting : Aging ; Business Process ; Commitment ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Housing ; Neighborhood ; OpenBeam Led by : Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Journie 8 Step Program Description: Today's youth face many challenges on their journey through adolescence and transition into adulthood. At Journie, we know that our youth are smart, creative, and curious. We see their limitless potential and aim to provide them with the skills and resources to envision and attain their ideal future. Journie is unique in its provision of high-quality, ongoing mentorship in addition to needs-based education and interactive learned experience. Our staff at Journie are culturally competent and can provide life skills based off lived experience. Journie focuses not only on personal development, but on building a supportive, vibrant and engaged community for our young people where they can be naturally expressive in a safe, non-judgmental space. Impacting : Children & Youth ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam Led by : Journie Project HEALINGS of MN Description: HEALINGS provides an opportunity to close vaccination gaps and solve persistent health inequities by galvanizing disparate regional efforts and forging unbreakable connections between BIPOC Minnesotans and the state, local, private, and nonprofit entities that serve them. More than 250,000 touches that will establish a formidable network of human relationships to fulfill current COVID priorities and lay a foundation for equitable management of major health events arising in the future. The initiative will focus on Minnesota’s major population centers and the tribal communities of the Anishinaabe and Dakota. Impacting : Best Practice ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Health ; Medical Services ; OpenBeam ; Pandemic Led by : Diversity Council RISE for Youth Description: RISE for Youth is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Mayo Clinic and the Rochester branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) designed to help Black and underrepresented students transform themselves from youth with potential to competitive and empowered talent entering the workforce. The program aims to create new pathways for success by providing students with critical educational and leadership skills, training and long-term mentoring for successful careers in health care, science and beyond. Impacting : Children & Youth ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam ; STEM ; Technology Enablement Led by : Mayo Clinic Targeted Business Enterprise Utilization Description: To further increase participation rates of targeted businesses and workforce on DMC projects, four priorities have been identified that are outlined below. (1) Build capacity of Targeted Businesses located in Southeastern Minnesota (2) Assess gaps with existing subcontractors to determine market opportunity. (3) Recruit women and minorities from workforce to start their own companies. (4) Host workshops to educate entrepreneurs, provide consulting services for WMBVE certification process and assist with bid process to win contracts on DMC projects. Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Entrepreneurship ; OpenBeam ; Workforce Development Led by : City of Rochester, MN The Village Community Garden & Learning Center (VCGLC) Description: The Village - Where We Grow Together! The Village Community Garden & Learning Center is a new community garden opening this 2019 growing season. The focus of this garden is to grow together as a community that comes from many parts of our world, and to learn about each other's traditions in food, arts, and culture. Thank you to Rochester Home Infusion for donating 11 acres for this project, and to our many partners at Diversity Council, Olmsted County, U of M Extension, Rochester Farmers Market, UMR, and RCTC. We are excited to share this new community asset with the city of Rochester and surrounding communities. This season will focus on the establishment of the garden through development of water resources, fencing, funding for event resources, and building our community of gardeners. We look forward to growing together! Impacting : Arts & Culture ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Food ; Health ; Immigration ; OpenBeam Led by : Diversity Council

Archived or Ideation

Concept Phase

Planning Phase

Development Phase

On-going or Completed

Economic Development: BioRochester and MedHub 3.0

Description: DMC EDA is submitting BioRochester proposal for the Federal Tech Hubs grant. The Tech Hubs Program is an economic development initiative designed to drive regional technology- and innovation-centric growth by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies. This program will invest directly in regions with the assets, resources, capacity, and potential to transform into globally competitive innovation centers in approximately 10 years while catalyzing the creation of good jobs for American workers at all skill levels, both equitably and inclusively.
Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Funding ; OpenBeam ; STEM ; Technology Enablement ; Workforce Development
Led by : DMC EDA

Health Determinants: NIH ComPASS: Intersection of Food, Culture & Health Grant Proposal

Description: Forming coalition to apply to the grant. The purpose of this Research Opportunity Announcement (ROA) is to solicit applications from community organizations to develop, implement, assess, and disseminate co-created community-led, health equity structural interventions, in partnership with research organizations, that intervene upon structural factors that produce and perpetuate health disparities.
Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Food ; Health ; OpenBeam
Led by : National Institutes of Health Common Fund

Beam Up DEI Actions for Area CBO's

Description: Many area Community Based Organizations(CBO) to their credit are embarking on DEI projects and seek friendly guidance how to get going. OpenBeam to help identify actions that area organizations may pursue to make impacts on area's DEI needs. OpenBeam to provide assistance in two ways : (1) OpenBeam's founder, Al Lun, will serve as Diversity Council ambassador to be a conduit of information sharing between the CBO's and Diversity Council. If requested, a DC staff person may also join in the effort. (2) OpenBeam's dmcbeam.org community assets database is made available to enable community resources connectivity in general.
Impacting : Best Practice ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement
Led by : OpenBeam.net

Co-design Tracker

Description: To showcase Rochester Area's Co-design projects and to track the progress toward implementing their recommendations.
Impacting : Best Practice ; Business Process ; Co-design ; Diversity and Inclusion ; OpenBeam
Led by : OpenBeam

Digital Equity IT

Description: Increase access to and effective use of technological devices and programs among communities experiencing barriers in the Rochester area. To do this, we will generate immediate and longer-term solutions related to the following barriers to access: 1) technological devices/hardware with appropriate software installed (computers and tablets); 2) affordable, reliable internet; and 3) culturally appropriate education to support digital literacy.
Impacting : Children & Youth ; Computer Literacy ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement
Led by : Rochester Area Nonprofit Consortium

Health Equity: Community Health Collaboration Portal

Description: Co-design and apply the emerging operational model of Community Mobilization Resource Coalition (CMRC), which attends to transparency, accountability, responsiveness, process-centric (TARP) attributes of collaboration, in a 12 month digital-innovation proof-of-concept project to validate results of increased productivity and improved participant experience in the 2024 Community Health Improvement process.
Impacting : Addiction ; Caring Relationship ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Health ; Medical Services ; Mental Health ; OpenBeam ; Vision/Identity
Led by : Community Mobilization Resource Coalition (CMRC)

Intercultural Center, Rochester (Creating a 21st Century Community Space)

Description: A Place for All. Third Sector's shared space concept would provide a common entry point to community resources through its "front door" concept. Seeking 40,000 - 50,000 sf of public space for 3 core uses.  Community Cultural Center providing interactive gathering spaces for civic engagement, education, celebration.  Community Front Door offering a centralized entry point for individuals seeking access to community resources and activities.  Nonprofit COOP functions as the enterprise, funding general operations for the entire facility while creating operational efficiencies for NPOs.
Impacting : Arts & Culture ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Food ; Interaction ; International ; Intelligence ; Language ; OpenBeam ; Welcoming
Led by : Community Mobilization Resource Coalition (CMRC)

NIH Challenge Grant - Build Up Trust

Description: On increasing underserved communities participation in disease research. The NIH Build UP Trust prize challenge aims to utilize new and existing strategies to improve engagement with underserved populations, in order to generate new solutions that address trust as a barrier to the adoption of both new and existing healthcare tools and diagnostics.
Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Health ; Mental Health ; OpenBeam
Led by : National Institutes of Health Common Fund

Rochester Intercultural Economic Exchange (RICE)

Description: Many Rochester groups have individual efforts to increase cultural and trade relationship with emerging global markets. These efforts can be made more effective if coordinated and they receive a local leadership sponsorship from local governments and business leaders. Rochester-MN with its DMC initiative is in a unique position to play a brokering role.
Impacting : Best Practice ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Entrepreneurship ; International ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement
Led by : OpenBeam.net

2024 The Year of Respect

Description: You and many other community leaders are invited to join in this effort to begin to bring about positive change in 2024. We need your influence during the next 12 months to transform a negative environment into a community which is Full of Respect, and Who Value Others! Watch for a big announcement in January!
Impacting : Caring Relationship ; Civic Engagement ; Networking ; OpenBeam
Led by : National Community Resource Center

America's City for Health

Description: Interlocking between DMC, Olmsted County and Rochester City and Community organizations to ensure social impacts are factored into DMC project evaluation process and City Comprehensive Plan (P2S).
Impacting : Aging ; Best Practice ; Business Process ; Civic Engagement ; Commitment ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Governance/Public Policy ; Health ; Housing ; International ; Intelligence ; Mental Health ; OpenBeam ; Sustainability ; Technology Enablement ; Transportation ; Workforce Development
Led by : DMC EDA

DEI Practioner Convenings

Description: Rochester Area Foundation has signed on in support of the Commitment to Racial Justice that was crafted by the Rochester Nonprofit Consortium. Together, we stand in solidarity with those who seek justice and racial equity. We have committed to listen, learn and act in support of the following:  addressing the policies and practices that influence racism, structural bias and inequity;  connecting to resources, organizations, and best practices to apply a race equity lens; and  building capacity within our organization and community to promote social and economic mobility and wellbeing for all residents.
Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; OpenBeam
Led by : Rochester Area Foundation

Partcipation in DEED's Digital Opportunity Plan

Description: 1.1.1 | Vision Statement This plan envisions a future where digital equity connects all Minnesota residents to opportunities, options, and each other. 1.1.2 | Goals and Objectives The following list provides a summary of Minnesota’s digital opportunity goals and objectives as proposed in this plan. Further details, including specific strategies and key performance indicators, are spelled out at length in Section 3.0. Goal 1: Connect People to People 1. Minnesota’s digital opportunity advocates and educators statewide are a strong, united group who can lean on each other for fresh ideas, new strategies, and consistent support. 2. All Minnesotans have access to a trusted provider of digital skills training, including training that addresses cybersecurity. 3. All Minnesotans have access to a trusted provider of quality technical support. Goal 2: Connect People to Information 1. Minnesotans can access comprehensive data and mapping tools to evaluate digital opportunity in their area as well as statewide. 2. All Minnesota cities, counties, and tribes have the opportunity to create localized data-driven digital opportunity plans to support their residents and tribal members. 3. All city, county, and tribal government units have the opportunity to re-design their websites so that they are fully accessible to people with disabilities and people with limited English literacy skills. Goal 3: Connect People to Resources 1. All Minnesota households have the option to afford the internet service available at their location. 2. All Minnesota adults have the option to have afford a large-screen device or smartphone, whichever most efficiently helps them access the applications they require. 3. New digital opportunity pathways reach Minnesotans who are at high risk for being digitally excluded.
Impacting : Aging ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Funding ; Health ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement
Led by : OpenBeam

Rochester Vision 2050

Description: Our city has undertaken a broad array of initiatives to create a bright future for her citizens and constituencies. These should be guided by a clear, optimistic, aspirational vision. 2050: Far enough for limitless possibilities; close enough to begin today to serve Rochester’s next generation and beyond. Vision 2050 Steering Committee guides this initiative A large volunteer group will put “Vision in Action”, using co-design to engage the community to share ideas and priorities for Rochester’s future.
Impacting : Arts & Culture ; Best Practice ; Caring Relationship ; Civic Engagement ; Co-design ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Education ; OpenBeam ; Vision/Identity
Led by : City of Rochester, MN

Update Intercultural Cities Initiative (ICI) Index

Description: The Intercultural City Initiative is a bold effort on the part of a wide variety of organizations and individuals to align the collective power, creativity, expertise, and energy of our cities toward a future of inclusive growth. Inspired by the comprehensive and coordinated approach of the Council of Europe Intercultural City program, Minnesota’s Intercultural City Initiative is focused on using high leverage influence strategies to realize this future faster.
Impacting : Best Practice ; Business Process ; Caring Relationship ; Commitment ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Governance/Public Policy ; International ; Intelligence ; Mediation ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement ; Vision/Identity
Led by : City of Rochester, MN

Age-Friendly Olmsted County (AFOC) Plan

Description: Age-Friendly Olmsted County (AFOC) is a cross-sector initiative to ensure that residents of Olmsted County have what they need to live with autonomy and dignity in all life’s stages. When Olmsted County became a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in early 2020, it officially joined a global movement, with roots in the World Health Organization, to help cities and communities respond to an aging population and prepare for a permanently older society.
Impacting : Aging ; Best Practice ; Caring Relationship ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Health ; Housing ; Mental Health ; OpenBeam ; Transportation
Led by : Family Service Rochester

Building Out Community Mobilization Resources Coalition

Description: Purpose: Change power dynamics to create a pluralistic and intercultural community where all people benefit equitably. Goal: Create equitable access to community resources and civic involvement.
Impacting : Aging ; Arts & Culture ; Best Practice ; Business Process ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Leadership ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement
Led by : Community Mobilization Resource Coalition (CMRC)

Discovery Walk Co-designing

Description: Public realm along the 2nd Avenue corridor from 2nd Street to 6th Street (Soldiers Field.)
Impacting : Best Practice ; Diversity and Inclusion ; OpenBeam ; Recreation & Open Space ; Vision/Identity
Led by : DMC EDA

Joint Studies on tackling Racism as a Public Health Issue

Description: Olmsted County commissioners are looking to tackle racism as a public health issue. The board on August 4, 2020 unanimously approved a measure officially asking members of the county’s Public Health Services Advisory Board and Human Rights Commission to work together to investigate racism and disparities in health care.
Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Governance/Public Policy ; Health ; OpenBeam
Led by : County of Olmsted, MN

Microsoft Office 365 Cloud Usage Enablement

Description: MS Office 365, comprising SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, Planner, Power Automate, Forms, etc, has been adopted and installed by many area non-profits, which is a good step toward cloud-based collaboration so that information and document sharing can take place outside the office. However, much of the power of Office 365 is not known to these organizations, such as how it can be used to build intranet/extranet websites and workflow applications that manage essential operations such as contact (Client/Donor) management. This project will lead to: (1) Getting small non-profits to better use products such as SharePoint and (2) Build simple CRM (or other apps) to demonstrate the quick app development capability of SharePoint, Power Automate.
Impacting : Business Process ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement
Led by : openBeam.net

OpenBeam: A "For Purpose" Enterprise

Description: Exploring the building out of Open Beam as a "For-Purpose" entity to support community initiatives. Many social/economical development initiatives suffer from vertical organizational structures that have their origin in the industrial age of emphasizing command and control. Vertical structures are silo in nature and do not facilitate cross structural information sharing and individual accountability. They inadvertently create distrust and thwart innovation. This project builds out the Open Beam entity to demonstrate how a “For-Purpose” dynamic organization works. The result is that Open Beam’s way of doing work becomes a proof point that we should let go of the traditional organizational model and adopt a holacratic framework to mobilize team effort. In so doing, Open Beam will help area non-profit or small organizations become more effective in their governance and their use of cloud technologies.
Impacting : Best Practice ; Business Process ; Entrepreneurship ; OpenBeam ; Pandemic ; Technology Enablement
Led by : openBeam.net

RCTC/Perkins Collective Impact

Description: Collaborating with RCTC to strengthen Career and Technical Education: The Perkins V Federal Grant for Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides funds for approved Career and Technical Education programs. In Minnesota, funds are distributed on the basis of state-approved career and technical education programs and appropriate teacher licensure. Programs are administered under Minnesota Rules Chapter 3505 and the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V).
Impacting : CMRC ; Co-design ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Funding ; Governance/Public Policy ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam ; Workforce Development
Led by : Rochester Community & Technical College

Community Dashboard

Description: Many best-practiced communities have implemented community web-based dashboards to provide a "read-out" of the health and wellness metrics of the community. DMCC's website is a push technology and not so much as social, collaborative virtual teaming site. Olmsted County, Mayo, OMG (and others) have just completed a community health study and published a report. We should go further and have a plan to be more agile and responsive in changing statistics by implementing a dashboard.
Impacting : Best Practice ; Business Process ; Children & Youth ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; OpenBeam ; Technology Enablement
Led by : openBEAM.net

Equity Alliance

Description: Our purpose is to accelerate equity change and impact disparities through reparations, restoration, and reformation based on radical collaboration.
Impacting : Diversity and Inclusion ; OpenBeam
Led by : DMC EDA

Global Technovation Challenge

Description: Technovation is a 3-month program where teams of young women work together to imagine, design, and develop mobile apps, then pitch their “startup” businesses to investors.
Impacting : Children & Youth ; Computer Literacy ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam ; STEM
Led by : Rochester Area Math and Science Partnership

Housing Alliance Coalition

Description: A continuing project to realize this purpose: “We are a cross-sector Alliance of organizations and individuals who seek to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing that meets community needs and priorities in the Rochester area, through shared information, coordination, and collaboration.”
Impacting : Aging ; Business Process ; Commitment ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Housing ; Neighborhood ; OpenBeam
Led by : Coalition for Rochester Area Housing

Journie 8 Step Program

Description: Today's youth face many challenges on their journey through adolescence and transition into adulthood. At Journie, we know that our youth are smart, creative, and curious. We see their limitless potential and aim to provide them with the skills and resources to envision and attain their ideal future. Journie is unique in its provision of high-quality, ongoing mentorship in addition to needs-based education and interactive learned experience. Our staff at Journie are culturally competent and can provide life skills based off lived experience. Journie focuses not only on personal development, but on building a supportive, vibrant and engaged community for our young people where they can be naturally expressive in a safe, non-judgmental space.
Impacting : Children & Youth ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam
Led by : Journie

Project HEALINGS of MN

Description: HEALINGS provides an opportunity to close vaccination gaps and solve persistent health inequities by galvanizing disparate regional efforts and forging unbreakable connections between BIPOC Minnesotans and the state, local, private, and nonprofit entities that serve them. More than 250,000 touches that will establish a formidable network of human relationships to fulfill current COVID priorities and lay a foundation for equitable management of major health events arising in the future. The initiative will focus on Minnesota’s major population centers and the tribal communities of the Anishinaabe and Dakota.
Impacting : Best Practice ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Health ; Medical Services ; OpenBeam ; Pandemic
Led by : Diversity Council

RISE for Youth

Description: RISE for Youth is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Mayo Clinic and the Rochester branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) designed to help Black and underrepresented students transform themselves from youth with potential to competitive and empowered talent entering the workforce. The program aims to create new pathways for success by providing students with critical educational and leadership skills, training and long-term mentoring for successful careers in health care, science and beyond.
Impacting : Children & Youth ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Mentoring ; OpenBeam ; STEM ; Technology Enablement
Led by : Mayo Clinic

Targeted Business Enterprise Utilization

Description: To further increase participation rates of targeted businesses and workforce on DMC projects, four priorities have been identified that are outlined below. (1) Build capacity of Targeted Businesses located in Southeastern Minnesota (2) Assess gaps with existing subcontractors to determine market opportunity. (3) Recruit women and minorities from workforce to start their own companies. (4) Host workshops to educate entrepreneurs, provide consulting services for WMBVE certification process and assist with bid process to win contracts on DMC projects.
Impacting : CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Economic Development ; Entrepreneurship ; OpenBeam ; Workforce Development
Led by : City of Rochester, MN

The Village Community Garden & Learning Center (VCGLC)

Description: The Village - Where We Grow Together! The Village Community Garden & Learning Center is a new community garden opening this 2019 growing season. The focus of this garden is to grow together as a community that comes from many parts of our world, and to learn about each other's traditions in food, arts, and culture. Thank you to Rochester Home Infusion for donating 11 acres for this project, and to our many partners at Diversity Council, Olmsted County, U of M Extension, Rochester Farmers Market, UMR, and RCTC. We are excited to share this new community asset with the city of Rochester and surrounding communities. This season will focus on the establishment of the garden through development of water resources, fencing, funding for event resources, and building our community of gardeners. We look forward to growing together!
Impacting : Arts & Culture ; CMRC ; Diversity and Inclusion ; Education ; Food ; Health ; Immigration ; OpenBeam
Led by : Diversity Council