Who We Are
We believe…
Access to food and proper nutrition is not only imperative for health and well-being but is a human right.
Every young person carries the capacity for “genius” and deserves a safe, nurturing spaces to realize their full potential.
Communities do not need to be “saved” but rather require sustainable and equitable access to resources and opportunities to flourish.
Racial, economic, and geographic disparities in Minnesota demand meaningful action with measurable outcomes.
Our role is to operationalize equitable and just solutions in collaboration with Minnesota communities.
We must be responsive and adaptable to the ever-changing landscape of circumstance, opportunity, and need.
Our Legacy
GMCC (Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches) was founded in 1905 as a faith-based initiative to serve the community. For 119 years, we have fulfilled our mission of “uniting people of faith, serving people in need,” through a range of programs and services, including advocacy and education around equity and poverty; volunteerism and service learning; mentoring and youth development; support services for seniors; and hunger-relief.
Today, GMCC embraces our legacy through an intercultural, interfaith approach that intentionally welcomes all belief communities in our work.
Our Work
GMCC is an entrepreneurial organization that partners with communities most impacted by challenges to co-design responses. We work in the areas of food, youth, and well-being.
Our work is guided by the following principles:
1. Focus on action
2. Support co-design and power-sharing with the community
3. Maintain an asset-orientation approach
4. Focus on the social determinants of health & well-being
We are not always the experts. We therefore engage people with lived experiences to lead and staff our projects to more effectively address the challenges.
Although a lot of great work is being done in Minnesota, it continues to be siloed. GMCC’s role is often not to build initiatives from scratch but to partner with those on the front lines to add capacity to their good work. We use our infrastructure, staffing, and networks to develop masterful collaborations that respond to needs and opportunities, make positive change, and result in healthy, equitable communities.
“We are small, but large in heart.” – Gloria J. Lewis, retired CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters MN, and former GMCC Board Member
Our Team
Juan Davila
Bilingual Guide
LakeStreet Youth Labs
Zak Abukar
Lead Guide – Career Exploration
LakeStreet Youth Labs
Janey Atchison
Lead Guide
LakeStreet Youth Labs
Porsha Brown
Lead Guide
LakeStreet Youth Labs
Isaiah James
Assistant Guide
LakeStreet Youth Labs
Interested in joining our team?
Click below to see open positions at GMCC:
Board of Directors
Heather Riddle
Board Chair
Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
American Public Media Group and Minnesota Public Radio
Erin Rupp
Vice Chair
Executive Director
Pollinate Minnesota
Schuyler Troy, J.D.
Secretary
University of Minnesota Law School
Bruce A. Ensrud
Former Board Chair
Wealth Advisor and Founding Partner
Parable Wealth Partners
Kay Adam
Manager of Strategic Initatives
Hennepin County
Dr. Ryan Greiner
Medical Director
North Memorial Health
Nicholas Contreraz
Vice President of Programs
Neighborhood House
Henriette Ngo Bissoy
Science Teacher
L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School
Jeff Peterson
Chief Marketing and Experience Officer
Echo 360
Nafisa Mohamed
Liscensed Practial Nurse (LPN)
RGT Medical
Recovery Care Subject Matter Expert & Peer Recovery Specialist
Andres Florez
Sales & Marketing Operations Director
Comcast
