Assessing Safety and Protection Through a Women's Focus Group in North Minneapolis 

On December 4, 2024, Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) hosted a Women’s Focus Group at the Hub for Nonviolence and Safety in North Minneapolis, a safe community space located at 2143 Lowry Ave N. Eight women participated in the focus group to share their experiences, discuss safety concerns, and envision solutions specific to the needs of women and girls. 

This focus group was part of an ongoing initiative by NP to assess women’s safety needs, led and facilitated by Nanyeni Glory, an intern from the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, with the support of NP’s community peacebuilders. Nanyeni brings seven years of experience in women, peace, and security from her work as a social worker and community peacebuilder in Cameroon, West Africa.  

Before diving into the conversations, Nanyeni and her team guided participants through a series of meditative and grounding exercises. A creative activity followed, where participants drew what safety means and looks like for them. Their unique visions of community safety included:  

• Family and Home: “Peace and safety in the family are everything,” said one participant, emphasizing the importance of stable households and intergenerational connection.  

• Nature and Clean Resources: Clean water, fresh food, and the ability to grow gardens were recurring themes. One participant described nature as “a source of healing and grounding for our families.”  

• Community and Belonging: Parks, transportation, and spaces for play and gathering were highlighted as essential. “Prayer and love bring peace,” one group shared, combining spiritual and relational elements in their vision of safety. 

Systemic and Personal Challenges

Throughout the discussions, women spoke candidly about the systemic and personal challenges they encounter daily, including:  

• Substance Abuse and Violence: Areas like 36th and Penn were described as "infested with fentanyl," with many participants losing family members to drug abuse and gun violence.  

• Homelessness and Vulnerability: One participant shared, “Every Sunday, a young woman comes to the church for clothes. There’s nowhere else for her to turn.”  

• Historical Trauma: Participants emphasized that the legacy of slavery and systemic racism continues to impact their lives. “This country wasn’t designed for people who look like me,” said one woman, underlining the ongoing need for reparations and healing.  

• Broken Family Structures: Many women pointed to mass incarceration, economic inequality, and welfare policies that have historically excluded men from households as root causes of family disconnection. “When you heal the women, you heal the household, but we also need to heal our men,” one participant said. 

Participants reflected on the critical role women play in fostering community safety and resilience in North Minneapolis. From nurturing and patience to advocating for change and rebuilding the basics, women described themselves as the “backbone” of the community, providing stability despite significant challenges.  

“Speaking up and not putting up with disrespect anymore,” one participant said, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and building self-respect. Many stressed the need to return to teaching life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and emotional regulation, especially for younger generations.  

Hopes for Safety in the Community

When asked about their hopes for safety in the community, many creative and practical ideas emerged, including:  

• Improving Public Safety: Better lighting at bus stops, trained civilian protectors, and clean public spaces were frequently mentioned. “Walking alone in the dark should not feel like a risk every time,” one woman said.  

• Creating Safe, Healing Spaces: Participants highlighted the need for trauma-informed spaces where women can connect, share their experiences, and build resilience.  

• Engaging Men as Allies: Many participants stressed the importance of involving men in safety efforts. “Men are my safety,” one woman said, calling for mutual respect and collaboration to rebuild trust within families and communities.  

• Addressing Substance Abuse and Exploitation: Recovery programs, safe shelters, and trauma-informed care were identified as crucial for breaking cycles of addiction and violence. 

Building on Existing Efforts 

Participants emphasized the importance of collaborating with organizations already working in the community, such as Appetite for Change, which focuses on food justice and empowerment. “Let’s not recreate the wheel,” one participant said. “We need to support what’s already here and make it stronger.”  

Suggestions included creating shared community calendars, supporting existing healing circles, and hosting outreach events at bus stops and shelters to meet women where they are.  

Moving Forward Together

“This is just our starting place,” one participant said, expressing a strong desire to continue these conversations and take tangible steps toward creating a safer, more resilient North Minneapolis.  

At NP, we remain committed to walking alongside the community, centering the voices of women, and building partnerships and programs that are community driven. As one participant shared, “When we heal together, we grow stronger together.”  

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Read the full assessment report about the protection needs of women and girls in North Minneapolis here: