People Responding In Social Ministry

TO PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES AND CONNECTIONS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BUILD HEALTHY, STABLE LIVES.

PRISM IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1970 BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONCERNED ABOUT LOCAL HUNGRY AND HOMELESS FAMILIES. WHAT STARTED AS AN INFORMAL EFFORT HAS SINCE EVOLVED INTO A STRONG, SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATION THAT IS CONSIDERED A LEADING PROVIDER OF BASIC NEEDS SERVICES IN THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES AND CONNECTIONS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BUILD HEALTHY, STABLE LIVES. OUR CORE VALUES OF COLLABORATION, INNOVATION, DIGNITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY GUIDE OUR WORK. THE CONTINUED GENEROSITY OF THE COMMUNITY ENABLES US TO MEET THE FOOD, CLOTHING, AND HOUSING NEEDS TO NEARLY 11,500 LOW-INCOME CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND SENIORS EACH YEAR. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAM LANGUAGE.PRISM'S MARKETPLACE FOOD SHELF SERVES EVERYONE: OTHER CORE SERVICES INCLUDE HOUSING AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, AND SHOP FOR CHANGE THRIFT SHOP, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. PROGRAM 2 - MARKETPLACE FOOD SHELF:THE MARKETPLACE FOOD SHELF ENSURES CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND SENIORS DO NOT GO HUNGRY. TRADITIONALLY, PRISM USED A "CHOICE" MODEL WHERE INDIVIDUALS GET TO SELF-SELECT THEIR OWN FOOD AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS. A TOTAL OF 4,691 HOUSEHOLDS VISITED THE FOOD SHELF BETWEEN 10/1/22-9/30/23. IN ADDITION, WE DISTRIBUTED 1,560,408 POUNDS OF FOOD BETWEEN 10/1/22-9/30/23. CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. THEY MAY ALSO PROVIDE GIFT CERTIFICATES TO THE THRIFT SHOP TO ACCESS CLOTHING AND HOUSEWARES, AS WELL AS EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT EVICTION. THIS SUMMER WE CONTINUED AS THE AS THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS COORDINATOR AT THE ROBBINSDALE AND GOLDEN VALLEY FARMERS' MARKETS. THIS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SNAP BENEFIT RECIPIENTS TO BUY FRESH FOOD FROM LOCAL FARMERS, AND FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO USE THEIR SNAP BENEFITS TO PURCHASE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THEY OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE WITH THEIR SNAP BENEFITS. PARTICIPANTS OF THE FOOD SHELF WERE ALSO INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, WHICH PROVIDED MORE THAN 1,400 CHILDREN WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES, HOLIDAY TOYS, NEW BABY ESSENTIALS AND BIRTHDAY GIFTS BETWEEN 10/1/22 - 9/30/23. PROGRAM 3 - HOUSING PROGRAMS:PRISM'S HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM KEEPS FAMILIES SAFELY AND STABLY HOUSED. BETWEEN 10/1/22-9/30/23 WE HELPED 276 FAMILIES AVOID THE LOSS OF THEIR HOME DUE TO FACING A FINANCIAL CRISIS. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ADVOCACY WITH LANDLORDS TO HELP AVOID COSTLY HOUSING COURT PROCEEDINGS AND EVICTION, ASSISTANCE WITH APPLICATIONS FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND REFERRALS FOR COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO ADDRESS OTHER ISSUES LIKE TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE. PRISM HAS ALSO OFFERS HOUSING LOCATION SERVICES; THIS ROLE HELPS FIND HOUSING FOR PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE HOMELESS OR PRECARIOUS HOUSED. PARTICIPANTS OF THE HOUSING PROGRAMS MAY ALSO ACCESS THE FOOD SHELF, THRIFT SHOP, AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS AS THEY WORK TO REGAIN STABILITY. PROGRAM 4 - SHOP FOR CHANGE THRIFT SHOP:SHOP FOR CHANGE THRIFT SHOP MAKES PROPER CLOTHING ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. THE SHOP IS STOCKED BY DONATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND IS STAFFED PRIMARILY BY VOLUNTEERS. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE PROCEEDS SUPPORT PRISM'S BASIC NEEDS SERVICES. OPEN TO PRISM PARTICIPANTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE SHOP OFFERS HIGH-QUALITY, UNIQUELY AFFORDABLE CLOTHING AND HOUSEWARES. IN FY22-23, PRISM CASE MANAGERS HAVE PROVIDED OVER 140 VOUCHERS TO FAMILIES IN NEED OF CLOTHING AND HOUSEWARES TO PURCHASE AT SHOP FOR CHANGE. THERE HAS BEEN CONSISTENT GROWTH AND REVENUE YEAR OVER YEAR IN THE SHOP. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHOP IS A KEY AREA OF FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR PRISM. DURING FY22-23, SHOP FOR CHANGE GENERATED OVER $328,000 IN REVENUE, UP FROM $307,000 DURING FY 21-22.