De’Angelo Johnson
When DeAngelo first came to the Father Project (an arm of Goodwill Easter Seals), he felt that this program was his last chance to turn his life around. He began the construction training program with Summit Academy OIC but didn’t have a driver’s license which he needed to complete his training. De’Angelo was nominated and used his Microgrant to obtain his driver’s license, buy auto insurance and has since graduated from Summit Academy’s training program. De’Angelo is now a certified carpenter and proud to say that, for the first time he is providing for his family in the way he had always dreamed. Last month he became a first time home owner!! He now understands that no matter what your life circumstances, life can change for the better as long as you are willing to work hard, believe in yourself and never give up.
Jaye Rogers
After 17 years of working for a company, new owners came to me as I was finishing my shift and said they’d be using their own people now and asked me to hand over the keys. Being the sole income provider since my husband’s death, this sudden loss of income started a financial downfall for me. Daily Work connected me to a program that helps people who are 55+ get the skills they need to start a new career in their later years. Daily Work applied for the $1000 grant so I could complete 45 hours of training in Word and Excel. Shortly after that, I heard that a receptionist/payroll assistant job had become available where I was volunteering. With my new computer skills, I had the confidence to apply for the the position. And they hired me! My employers and I are very happy together. Microgrants made it possible for me obtain permanent employment with benefits! Thank you so much!
Mikesha Barnes
When Mikesha Barnes, a full-time student at the University of St. Thomas, was pursuing her Bachelor degree in International Business and Spanish, she needed to take a summer course at the University of Minnesota in order to graduate on time but she lacked the extra funds. Complicating the situation, Barnes was scheduled to move out from the Jeremiah Program apartments at the same time she was to graduate. Thanks to her MicroGrant she was able to take the summer class, graduate from St. Thomas and move out of the Jeremiah Project all while balancing community service and motherhood.
Michael Hughes
Michael Hughes has overcome many barriers on his road to success and shown tremendous courage, persistence and resiliency along the way. He was re-entering society after several years of incarceration, but continually approached each challenge he was confronted with a positive attitude. When Hughes began at Goodwill Easter Seals in June 2014, he secured employment and had a clear vision of his goals but some financial barriers stood in his way. MicroGrants has allowed his vehicle to be repaired and his success to continue as he has since been promoted where he has taken on greater responsibility.
Paige Bratsch
Paige Bratsch was on track to finish her bachelor's degree in criminal justice and law enforcement including buying the supplies needed for her training. But last February the savings Paige had put away for school had to go towards finding a safe place to live and for necessities for her and her son. The Jeremiah Program nominated Bratsch for a MicroGrant to help with her education and tools needed for employment. She recently graduated and is very happy to have accomplished this goal with no debt, and, thanks to MicroGrants, she is also equipped with the necessary tools needed for her new law enforcement position.
Monica Fossati
2013 was a tough year for Monica Fossati. Incarcerated for 8 months due to a DUI, she lost her vehicle, her job, and her housing. Her parents took custody of her children while she served her sentence. After her release, she enrolled in Summit Academy OIC for Carpentry and dedicated herself to turning her life around. Due to Monica’s unstoppable disposition, she was able to bounce back from being incarcerated and then homeless to graduating with a 3.6 GPA.
Ruben Childs
Ruben Childs and his wife Mariguax are a hardworking couple from South Minneapolis, they are striving to build a better, more stable future for their children and their community. In 2013, Ruben started a small business called Turnover Commerical Cleaning Services which picks up used appliances, furniture and junk for sorting and recycling. When Ruben’s only business vehicle needed repairs, MCCD (the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers) nominated Ruben for a Microgrant. Since making the necessary repairs to their business truck, the company has been successful with a 67% increase over the prior 12 months.
Tiara Keezer
Tiara Keezer was homeless and living with her sister and her sister’s four children in a two bedroom apartment. In an effort to get back and forth to work and maintain a stable lifestyle for herself and her daughter, she needed reliable transportation. Summit Academy OIC nominated Keezer for a Microgrant to help secure a vehicle. Since then, Tiara has purchased a car, gotten a job and lives in her own place. Having graduated #1 in her class, she is currently working on the Viking Stadium and happy to be able to provide for her daughter. Keezer has plans to return to Summit Academy regularly to speak to students encouraging them to know it is possible to transform your life with hard work and help from people who care.
Danielle Goodrum
Danielle Goodrum, opened her restaurant, Fresco Pasta and Bar in Midtown Global Market in 2012. Like any new business owner she encountered special challenges along the way. Without a hood in her kitchen space, she had to use a commercial kitchen in support of her restaurant and catering business. With only two employees there was insufficient time and staff to maintain the business, including updating the catering menu of which was critical to sustaining the business during slow times of the year. When she had a baby, she hired additional help which increased her costs. Thanks to Microgrants, Goodrum was able to recover from surgery, pay her additional staff, update her catering menu and add a hood to her kitchen. As her business continues to grow, she credits Microgrants with providing vital support at a critical time.
De’angelo Johnson
When DeAngelo first came to the Father Project (an arm of Goodwill Easter Seals), he felt that this program was his last chance to turn his life around. He began the construction training program with Summit Academy OIC but didn’t have a driver’s license which he needed to complete his training. De’Angelo was nominated and used his Microgrant to obtain his driver’s license, buy auto insurance and has since graduated from Summit Academy’s training program. De’Angelo is now a certified carpenter and proud to say that, for the first time he is providing for his family in the way he had always dreamed. Last month he became a first time home owner!! He now understands that no matter what your life circumstances, life can change for the better as long as you are willing to work hard, believe in yourself and never give up.
Rouny Phoupthaphaphone
Rouny Phoupthaphaphone dreamed of beginning a career in business in order to provide for her family and give her children a "well-deserved" education. During the summer of 2013, she had to drop out of school due to an unsafe home environment. In the past year, Rouny has obtained restraining orders, relocated and now is in a safe living space with her children. In an effort to help finance her education, Goodwill Easter Seals nominated her for a Microgrant. She enrolled at Century College full-time toward a degree in Business Administration. Thanks to Microgrants, she is back on track towards a better future for herself and her family.
Monica Fossati
"None of my success would have been possible without my teachers and the generosity of MicroGrants which has made a dramatic impact in the success and future for myself and my children. We are
Lenora Edwards
Her $1,000 MicroGrant went for special reading instruction so she can keep moving forward with her dream of being a pre-school teacher.
Samson Zeleke
With his grant, Samson had the foresight to buy a new sewing machine just days before the old one broke down.
Erica Brown
"Thanks to MircoGrants and their partner agency, PRISM, I am now able to get my son to school, myself to work on time ANS I'm back on track to finish my degree in business management."
Adrian Coulter
MicroGrants allowed Adrian’s entrepreneurial spirit to grow, while at the same time enabling his company's (XLfeet) annual gross sales to rocket into six figure territory.
Wonneda Hing
She was awarded a MicroGrant through the Neighborhood Development Center to expand her marketing and add new products.
Andre Woods
Andre used his $1,000 to buy a vehicle that helped him travel to his job interviews. He has now participated in some major infrastructure improvements around the Twin Cities.
Maria Totozintle
Through MEDA, Maria recieved a MicrGrant that she used to but a more powerful computer.
Willie Johnson
"The grant gave me hope and allowed me to see that achieving my goal of working in construction was closer than it has ever been."
Jody Clarke
MicroGrants help her to buy a car to save her job and then she didn't have to spend 2 hours ONE WAY to work using public transportation.
Frewoini Haile
The MicroGrants investment allowed Frewoini to get a grant for advertising flyers and a sidewalk sandwich board sign to increase her visibility, increasing her business by 15%.
Craig Ebert
Craig received a $1000 grant in 2006 that let him take some time from work to accelerate his studies.
Marie Chante Flowers
With the help of a $1000 grant, Marie went back to school full-time and became self-sufficient. She is making one of her poems into a book for children and another into a motivational journal for teenage girls.
Brenda Cleveland
Brenda received a $1,000 MicroGrant in 2006 to help pay for a statistics class she needed before she could apply for graduate school at the University of Minnesota.
Kari LeVan
Kari used the grant money for replacing her laptop, car repair, work clothing and a much-needed stage monitor for when she sings around the Twin Cities.
Iris Dixon
She received a $1000 grant when she was overwhelmed with bills and needed her driver’s license to be able to drive to work. She also bought a computer to help her with schooling.
Latriste Graham
In 2012, she was awarded a $1000 MicroGrant to help support her program, which helps women who wish to leave prostitution.
Mollie Mosman
MicroGrants helped Mollie update her bookkeeping business's software that could have put her in debt and without it, hindered her business.
Shantae Holmes
She's a multi-grant winner who has used the grants to help All Washed Up Laundromat grow and changed her life.
Benjamin Mchie
Benjamin created a website where Black history could be celebrated all year long. His MicroGrant helped him buy microphones for his website’s video work.
Ngawang Dakpa
"Now, I do not need to worry about that project and can therefore focus on other things to help the business to grow even further."
Shegitu Kebede
With our help, she was able to create a cleaning business, an after-school program for children with single mothers, as well as a sewing class for immigrant women.
Antonio
With the help of MicroGrants he was able to purchase a snow plow, a new vacuum, advertising, and some cleaning supplies.
Ian Silver-Ramp
"I am convinced that without the MicroGrant Mississippi Mushrooms would be at least three months behind our current progress and have fewer connections with other companies and resources."
Linda Lakes
Linda’s business, Flowers by the Lake, had just moved and was in need of a sign that would attract customers. That’s where MicroGrants came in.
Lisa Gonzales
With the help of MicroGrants, her facility now consist of kennels and grooming for dogs, cats, and even rabbits.
Latoya Spencer
MicroGrants allowed her to continue education and personal growth in the midst of mothering.
Sam Riley
After receiving the microgrant, his children had a wonderful Christmas, his car ran and bartending school was partially paid for.
Jocelyn
She was diagnosed with serious disease while she was attending Minneapolis Community Technical College and was forced to drop out. MicroGrants helped her pay in full the debt she owed them.
Manuel Barrios
With the help of MicroGrants, he bought his own apartment in hopes of furthering himself in his construction carreer.
Shante Stone
Shante is junior at Capital University. Along with studying to become a counseling psychologist, she is also a mother. She is very appreciative of MicroGrants for they helped her buy books and pay for the remainder of her tuition.
Leeann Benjamin
MicroGrants lent her a hand during a time financial struggle by helping pay for her truck’s repairs.
Antoinette Williams
After spending almost all of her savings on cancer treatments and new storefront, she had little to support herself. Her $1000 grant let her buy a new computer that opened a whole other world for her business.
Jesse Lockett-Ell
Jesse’s lifelong dream was to open his own restaurant, and with MEDA & MicroGrants’ help, his dream is becoming a reality.
Marcallina S. James
I am happy to say that it was a MicroGrant that inspired me to resume my studies at Augsburg College and to achieve a dream.
Angela McRoy, Outstanding Innovation and Leverage
Angela McRoy won the Outstanding Innovation and Leverage Award working withNichol Ellis-McGregor of Project for Pride in Living. Working as a full time Personal Care Assistant,Angela was striving daily to save enough money to take the classes and exams that would certify her to becomeemployed teaching Yoga. Angela comments, “Thanks to MicroGrants, I completed my classes and am a certified Yoga Instructor. I have taken a new position in business development and am earning a good wage with a good future. Yoga is still a big part of my life and I am volunteer teaching. Thank you so much for your support in moving me closer to my dreams.”
Gail Weiss, Outstanding Progress and Biggest Step
Gail Weiss won the Outstanding Progress and Biggest Step Award working with ShariSibbaldt of Wilder Foundation. Right after graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree, Gail landed agreat job in her field, and right after that, her car broke down! Getting the vehicle back to safe, runningcondition wouldn’t have happened without MicroGrants. Gail says, "I had just gotten out of school and didn’t have the extra cash. With your help I got the auto repairs done, I have advanced in my career and I already saved enough money to buy my first new car. Without your help, I’d have definitely missed work and possibly lost my job which I worked so hard to get!”
Jerry Evans, Outstanding Persistence
Jerry Evans is the Outstanding Persistence Award winner,working with Gina DeNardo of EMERGE. At only 22 years old,Jerry has a clear vision of being a successful business owner. Workingwith EMERGE, Jerry graduated property management training andalong the way, saw himself as a property owner too. The MicroGrantshelped him cover the tuition of his real estate classes and license. Jerrydeclares, “I now own a property management company and a property! WhileI’m growing my management company, I intend to sell a certain number of houseseach year. I am on track for success, and I acknowledge that my successes aren’tsolely based upon my efforts and hard work but upon my accountability to othersand the relationships I’ve built.”
Mitchel Anderson, Outstanding Creative Use
Mitchel Anderson won for Outstanding Creative Use working with Samantha Oakes of Project for Pride in Living (PPL). From successful photographer to several years homeless to Salvation Army to PPL and into Cabrini Housing! Nominated for MicroGrants, Mitchel was able to purchase a digital camera system to reopen his business. Mitchel remarks, “The $1000 grant really got things going for me again. I’ve shot weddings and fine art, my home is acting as a gallery and studio and I will have my digital photography degree in two years! This is a dream come true!”
Tanisha McGraw, Outstanding Strategic Use
Tanisha McGraw winner for Outstanding Strategic Use. Tanisha was caught ina cycle of temp jobs, some with overnight hours causing her to leaveher teenage son home alone all night; something had to change! Shelearned about Twin Cities RISE and saw that it had what she wanted -a better life, a better future. She immediately enrolled in classes andwas passing every one of them in the 95 percentile! Tanisha shakes herhead, “Then my car broke down and it was clear that I would have to leaveTCR classes and go back to temping so I could get my car working again. ButMicroGrants allowed me to fix my car, finish my classes and I’ve landed a greatjob where I’m required to have a reliable car to transport and visit clients!“
Tseregeda Cherinat, Outstanding Entrepreneurship
Tseregeda Cherinat vision, motivation, determination, and even clients.She had everything to open her own sewing and alteration business - well, everything but the money to purchase the sewing machine and serger. Tsegeredashares, “It was either pursue my sewing business or give up the dream and get a job just to pay the bills. I will always be grateful for your help in getting the supplies I needed to get my business started and make my living at what I love to do!"
