NP and SEECCAA Group Expand Healing & Safety in North Minneapolis
In November 2023, NP established a collaborative relationship with the SEECCAA group at the Hub for Safety & Nonviolence in North Minneapolis, U.S. The Hub was created to strengthen NP’s connection with the community, fostering partnerships to interrupt cycles of violence and promote safety in the area.
SEECCAA, which stands for Supporting Equity in Education through Collaborative and Collective Means for Advocacy and Access, is a Black-led grassroots organization focused on community empowerment in North Minneapolis. Founded by Lawanda Warren, SEECCAA uses storytelling as a powerful tool for building transformative relationships within the community. With a one-year grant, SEECCAA has focused on creating healing groups and circles aimed at supporting community members affected by violence.
Impact on the Community
SEECCAA uses the Hub to conduct healing circles on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. These sessions offer a safe space for individuals to process trauma and build resilience. Beyond the activities at the Hub, both NP and SEECCAA are working on initiatives aimed at preventing and reducing the impact of violence on youth in North Minneapolis.
Will Wallace, NP’s Director of Community Peacebuilding, emphasized the mutual benefits of working together: “The idea is that as we conduct our community outreach, if we encounter individuals who could benefit from SEECCAA’s healing groups, we can refer them. Conversely, if SEECCAA identifies someone who might be a good fit for our community peacebuilding efforts, they can refer that person to us. It’s a reciprocal relationship that strengthens our work in the community.”
Lawanda Warren also shared her views on sharing the space, highlighting its significance for SEECCAA, “Having a secure space to hold our workshops has been crucial. It allows us to be consistent in our efforts to engage the community. Beyond just the space, the support and collaboration with NP have been invaluable. Being able to bounce ideas off NP staff, receive feedback, and engage with them in our sessions has strengthened our work. It's been a tremendous support, especially since our team is small.”
SEECCAA’s Vision and Future Goals
Warren’s vision for SEECCAA extends beyond the current programming. She aims to activate the community by equipping individuals with the skills and mindset needed for harm reduction and positive engagement. Through a series of community workshops on mindfulness, de-escalation, race and equity, trauma, and community engagement, SEECCAA has been building capacity within the community. Warren is also providing life coaching to participants to help them set and achieve personal and community goals.
Warren acknowledged the challenges she has faced, particularly personal losses that have impacted her ability to operate at full capacity. Despite these setbacks, she remains committed to expanding SEECCAA’s impact. “This work is hard, and it requires a lot of energy. But I believe in the importance of pouring into each other and into the community. The partnership with NP has been a key part of that process, offering support and collaboration that helps me continue this work.”