Adversity identified.

Hope strategized.

Our story.

In 2018, Dr. Molly Harney from the University of Minnesota Duluth engaged in a research project in Duluth’s Central Hillside focused on identifying adversity affecting families with children.

A comprehensive data collection process, using the guiding principles of generosity, inclusivity, engagement, and opportunity rising, generated findings that revealed the need to effect systemic-level changes in services and supports based on best practices that address multiple and chronic issues among those most affected by adversity.

Community-centric approach.

Dr. Harney felt the need to establish a nonprofit (Duluth Center for Women and Children) that would engage with other nonprofits, and bring the University resources, knowledge and expertise by engaging faculty and students to interrupt the cycles of trauma and poverty. Since its inception, our nonprofit has partnered with several other nonprofits, businesses, the public sector office, and the University to develop programming in support of its mission.

Timeline

Dr. Molly Harney, associate professor of early childhood at UMD and in the training of trainers’ program with Dr. Bruce Perry of the Neurosequential Network, began working with a group of women at Steve O’Neil Apartments. This work resulted in a piece of research published in 2019. At some point, the women named themselves First Ladies of the Hillside.
With the help of Greg Gilbert, papers were drawn up to establish Duluth Center for Women and Children as a recognized 501(c)3 and a Board of Directors was assembled.
As the pandemic loomed, Dr. Harney continued to meet with and support the women over Zoom, and the Board met via Zoom.
The third floor of the Damiano Center was identified as a possible permanent home for DCWC, to provide space for a childcare, creation space for the women to create art, and office. It would be a $5 million renovation, with after reno market value of our space being $14,000 per month.
The pandemic struck down many intended plans for the future.
Dr. Harney and Dr. Aparna Katre, Director of the Social Entrepreneurship Program at UMD, began teaching classes held at the Steve O’Neil Apartments alongside the women. Dr. Harney was teaching child brain development and parenting, and Dr. Katre was teaching social entrepreneurship.
Together with these honors students, the women identified the social problem they wished to address in their neighborhood. Food insecurity was identified, and the students helped the women to devise operational plans, budgets, etc. The women named the program Food Forward Duluth and designed the logo for the initiative.
Food Forward began operating out of the kitchen at the Lincoln Park Family and Children’s Collaborative.
Food Forward operations were moved to the kitchen of Family Freedom Center. We were now prepping about 100 servings. In December, we met with the leadership of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and a partnership emerged.
Food Forward operations were moved to the recently renovated commercial kitchen at Gloria Dei. DCWC went through the process of having the kitchen licensed, and all workers became certified ServSafe Food Handlers. One of the women attained the ServSafe Manager’s certificate, required by the Health Department for our kitchen license.
Our output quickly grew to about 120 servings each week.

2024 Touchstone Honoree

The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation honors visionary nonprofits and strategic partnerships with the Touchstone Award, recognizing those making a meaningful, long-term impact in our community. WDIO has highlighted our efforts in this news feature.