A Convening on Mental Health

Hearing from communities gives the Otto Bremer Foundation critical understanding of local concerns and challenges. Convenings provide opportunities for Foundation staff, Trustees, and nonprofit and community leaders to connect in ways that do not usually happen in everyday life. These discussions give all involved a chance to hear about pressing issues and emerging problems. In May, Bremer Bank organized a convening in partnership with the St. Cloud Hospital on mental health which was attended by the Otto Bremer Foundation as well as eight providers in the St. Cloud community to understand more about the issue in the St. Cloud area as well as the opportunities related these services.

During the dialogue, we learned about many gaps that exist in the community such as a shortage of psychiatrists, housing, and available services. A common theme was a need for more financial resources, which led the group into an exploration of new partnerships to secure additional funding from national funders.

Convenings further the commitment of the Otto Bremer Foundation to listening and learning. The group is now exploring additional gatherings to focus on ways in which to meet the needs related to mental health.

Kathy Grochow, NRS, St. Cloud

We Need to Talk

...or better yet, you need to talk and we want to listen. In so many words, this is the message that the Otto Bremer Foundation conveys as staff and trustees visit Bremer communities in what we call "community convening" settings. The Foundation considers these sessions invaluable in meeting community stakeholders and learning about the issues and priorities as local leaders define them.




Community convenings were recently organized by Bremer Banks in Marshall and Willmar. Two dozen community leaders in each setting visited with Foundation Executive Director, Randi Roth, and Trustees, Charlotte Johnson and Dan Reardon. Topics ranged from the opportunities that these Bremer communities are experiencing with diverse cultures along with the challenges they confront in working to retain young people. Convening participants talked about school systems -- what's going well, what's not; volunteerism in rural towns; economic, cultural and health care challenges; collaboration and cooperation examples; and the desire to ever improve how we work together.


The convenings help the Foundation understand the unique characteristics and dynamics in the various Bremer regions, and provide information as they receive and consider proposals.



Posted by Lois Schmidt, NRS, Willmar