COVID-19 Community Coordinators

 
(Photo credit: Ivy Vainio)

The COVID-19 community coordinator initiative funds community-based organizations to connect Minnesota’s diverse communities to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and other resources, as well as providing access and support for comprehensive health recovery post-pandemic. Coordinators are contracted by the State to serve communities hit hardest by COVID-19, including communities of color, American Indian communities, LGBTQ communities, and Minnesotans with disabilities.

It is essential to draw on community strengths and trusted community networks to respond effectively to COVID-19 and to longstanding health inequities made worse by the pandemic. The contracted organizations understand the cultural norms and values of their communities and how to address their needs.

These contracts have been supported by the community engagement team within the Health Equity Strategy and Innovation Division at the Minnesota Department of Health.

What COVID-19 community coordinators provide

COVID-19 community coordinators support Minnesotans who needed COVID-19 information specific to their communities, including in their languages. Coordinators help community members find and get critical resources to deal with health concerns as well as employment, food access, housing, childcare, and legal rights.

COVID-19 community coordinators can answer questions about: 

• Where to get tested for COVID-19
• What COVID-19 vaccines are available and how and where to get vaccinated
• Food support
• Health care and mental health resources 
• Housing and rental assistance
• COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing
• Employment resources

2024-26 COVID-19 community coordinators 

1. Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota
2. Advocates for Thriving Communities
3. African Career, Education & Resources, Incorporated (ACER)
4. African Immigrants Community Services
5. Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
6. Briva Health
7. CAPI USA
8. Center for African Immigrants & Refugees Organization (CAIRO)
9. Centro Nazareno de Compasión Agape, Inc.
10. Chinese Community Center
11. Comunidades Organizando el Poder (COPAL)
12. Cultural Wellness Center
13. East African Integration Center
14. Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER)
15. Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc.
16. Hmong American Partnership
17. Igbo Women League (IWL)
18. International Oromo Health Professionals Association
19. Islamic Association of North America
20. Keystone Interpreting Solutions
21. Korean Service Center
22. Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
23. Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
24. Little Earth Residents Association
25. Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
26. Minnesota People of Color LGBTQ+ Pride
27. Minnesota Africans United
28. Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition
29. Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
30. Raíces Sagradas Community Mental Health (RAICES)
31. Re’ese Adbarat Tserha Aryam Kidist Selassie Cathedral EOTC (TAKS)
32. Restoration for All Inc.
33. SEWA-AIFW
34. Skellegnese LLC
35. St. Mary’s Health Clinics
36. Stairstep Foundation
37. The Aliveness Project
38. Vietnamese Social Services (VSS)
39. Voices for Racial Justice (Seeds of Justice)
40. WellShare International
41. White Earth Band of Chippewa