The Hawthorne Huddle

Spring 2000

What We've Learned
Reaching into a Community: The Hawthorne Huddle Experience

by Dr. Reatha Clark King, General Mills Foundation

Several years ago, residents of the Hawthorne neighborhood in North Minneapolis were distraught by increased crime, drugs and gang activity. These negative elements were taking their toll on the the fabric of the community, and making it a tougher place to live and raise a family.

With a common vision of safe streets, healthy children and community vitality, a small group of neighborhood residents and community officials gathered together with representatives from the General Mills Foundation to form what has become known as the Hawthorne Huddle. Now, over two years later, the Hawthorne Huddle continues to employ a process of civic partnership and has had success in community change. This forum has made it possible for caring neighbors, as well as representatives from business and government, to share their concerns and work toward a more healthy community.

Held once a month at 7:30 a.m., the Hawthorne Huddle has sought to pool the experience and perspective of residents, educators, law enforcement, business and social service professionals, elected officials and members of the faith community to discuss and solve problems affecting the community. The Huddle meeting agenda is set by the group in light of issues identified as key from one meeting to the next. Speakers with expertise in an area of interest are invited to address the group. The foundation distributes an agenda and meeting notices prior to the Huddle gatherings, which are typically held at Farview Park in the Hawthorne community.

KEY LESSONS

Here are some key lessons we've learned through our experience with the Hawthorne Huddles:

- A sustainable forum.
The Hawthorne Huddle has created a process for the neighborhood to discuss its problems and community action steps. It is now a sustainable forum that is increasing neighborhood participation and momentum by focusing on the needs of the community and creating viable solutions.

- Community participation.
Community participation is a cornerstone of the Hawthorne Huddle program. A commitment to this value has attributed to the blossoming of monthly attendance from 12 to over 60 individuals. Residents of the neighborhood participate in identifying and solving community problems through this process. Partnerships have developed among community people, representatives from the police department, school district, the county and city agencies.

- Funding input.
The Huddles have become an important vehicle for the General Mills Foundation in setting appropriate funding priorities for the neighborhood. The foundation awards grants to churches and neighborhood groups that are working actively to solve problems and community challenges identified by residents and block clubs.

For example, General Mills has recently committed $3 million dollars over five years to the improve housing in the Hawthorne neighborhood -- an initiative that began with the Huddle. New housing will be constructed around the planned elementary school to ensure a safe environment for the students. The General Mills Foundation is working with block clubs, community leaders and organizations, service agencies and city officials to make the best possible use of these financial resources.

- A voice for the community.
The Huddle, with the involvement and support of every aspect of the community, has become a voice of conscience for the community. As a result, neighborhood crime has been reduced significantly. When a new school was being planned for the Hawthorne neighborhood, the Huddle participants helped persuade the Minneapolis school board to choose a school site preferred by the residents, as opposed to the site initially favored by the board.

With the solid support of the Huddle behind them, residents are making great strides in discouraging negative behavior and reclaiming their neighborhood. Now, when new residents move into the Hawthorne neighborhood, they are greeted with a bag of household items and are given a copy of the community's adopted standards, which detail behavior that the community will encourage.

- A model for others.
This community-based process has been recognized as a model for other communities to come together and solve problems. For example, the Hawthorne Huddle has been an inspiration to Minneapolis' Jordan neighborhood -- adjacent to Hawthorne -- where monthly "Jordan Jam" meetings are focused on reaching out to residents. The residents, including senior citizens and ethnic immigrants who want their voices to be heard, have found a supportive forum for their concerns.

- A sense of accomplishment.
Together through the Hawthorne Huddles, we have celebrated a sense of accomplishment and recognized community volunteers. By working on issues both large and small, Huddle participants have gained a sense of both cooperation and accomplishment, and because of their efforts the residents of Hawthorne can enjoy a safer and healthier community.

Dr. Reatha Clark King is president and executive director of the General Mills Foundation and chairperson of the Hawthorne Huddle. For more information on the Hawthorne Huddle, call the General Mills Foundation at 763/764-2211.

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