The Banyan Community

 

Virginia McKnight Binger Awardee

Joani Essenburg of Minneapolis founded the Banyan Community, an after-school and summer program in the inner-city East Phillips neighborhood. What started as the Kids Club — a weekly gathering of local youth for games, stories, and snacks in the Essenburg basement — has grown into a community-building force in the neighborhood. In 2000, they bought and renovated a house to create a home for all Banyan's programs, and in 2007, the Banyan Community Center opened around the corner from the Banyan House.
Since 1985, The McKnight Foundation has given the awards each year to recognize Minnesotans who demonstrate the difference one person can make in helping others. The awards are named for the Foundation's former chair and president, Virginia McKnight Binger. Mrs. Binger served the Foundation for nearly 50 years as a board member, as president from 1974 through 1987, and then as honorary chair until her death in 2002. Although her parents, William and Maude McKnight, established the Foundation, it was Mrs. Binger's personal compassion and generosity that set the standard for the Foundation's work.

Open House

March 17 from 9am to 12 noon. Bring your family to come and see the Banyan Community Center, meet Banyan families and Board members. Tours, open gym, crafts, and snacks will be a part of a fun time.

College Acceptance Party

March 20 from 5:00-6:00pm. What do you do when your child receives their first college acceptance letter? You get very excited… and throw a party. Same here… our four seniors have brought in about a dozen college acceptance letters. We are celebrating that at Banyan; come and join us.

Traveling Art Display - Pieces of Peace

The Banyan middle schoolers, along with artist Anne C. Brink, have done it again. They have created a stunning collection of paintings that explain the importance of being peace makers in our urban community. This collection is available to display at your church upon request--20 canvases plus artists statements, along with a group banner. For more information, contact Lori@banyancommunity.org

Business Leaders Breakfast

Thursday July 12 at 7:30-8:30am —registration opens at 7:00am at the Banyan Community Center Hear prominent business leaders speak about their passion of making a difference in the urban America landscape, by beginning with local involvement. Also, hear Banyan youth speak about how they are overcoming poverty. To register, send an email to: mail@banyancommunity.org and include names of all people attending. Please indicate if your business would like to help sponsor the event. No admission charge.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS FOR 2011!

2011 was a banner year for Banyan with $575,000 of income through the generous donations of our individual donors (49%) corporations and foundations (47%), and churches (4%). Together we were able to invest $560,000 to impact 120 youth and 75 families, as well as over 600 people on Eight Lighthouse Network Blocks—bringing our total reach to 800 people! We are counting on you for 2012 as we strengthen our grip and deepen our roots in the community!

Dessert Circles

Want to help us spread the news about Banyan? Host a dessert circle. Invite your friends over for dessert and Lori Nissen will come, along with a Banyan Board member, to explain more about the Banyan Community. It is a story worth sharing! For more information please email: lori@banyancommunity.org