Our Approach: Assess to learn, Design with community, Advocate to impact
At Prosperity for New America (PNA), our approach begins with listening to and learning from the communities we serve. We assess community needs by engaging directly with African immigrant families, students, and leaders to understand their unique challenges and opportunities. By collaborating with research partners and leveraging community-driven insights, we ensure that our work is rooted in the realities of the people we aim to support.
With this foundation, we design intergenerational programs that are both culturally relevant and community-centered. These programs are created by and for the communities we serve, blending respect for ancestral traditions with innovative solutions. Whether it’s empowering families through education and housing support, fostering economic opportunities, or engaging youth and elders in shared initiatives, our programs aim to strengthen connections across generations and build pathways to success.
Finally, we advocate for impact by using data and lived experiences to amplify the voices of African immigrant communities. We ensure that our programs not only address immediate needs but also create lasting change. By sharing research, training advocates, and influencing policies, we work to ensure that the improvements we make together are visible, meaningful, and sustainable for the communities we serve.
At PNA, we’re dedicated to building a future where every member of our community has the opportunity to thrive, while preserving the rich cultural heritage that defines us.
Organization History
Prosperity for New America, established in 2008 as a volunteer based organization, emerged from a passionate grassroots movement of dedicated community volunteers. Their primary goal was to facilitate the acculturation of African immigrant families newly arriving in Minnesota. In those formative years, our small but mighty team provided a wide range of free education, advocacy, and supportive services, helping new American families overcome systemic barriers and societal complexities through the wisdom of shared lived experiences.
Prosperity for New America (PNA) is a nonprofit organization with an exceptional track record of uplifting Minnesota’s African immigrant communities through culturally competent, family-centric programs and services. Our very identity is intentionally derived from the diverse cultural identities, lived experiences, and intergenerational wisdom of the vibrant African diaspora communities we exist to serve.
Mission
PNA’s mission is to actively engage and advocate for African immigrants and families through research, advocacy, and education, with the aim of fostering economic prosperity and empowering communities.
Vision
Our vision is centered around our community, our narrative, and our power, shaping the future together!
What We Do
Assess the Community Needs
As an organization dedicated to research and advocacy for African immigrants, PNA collaborates with higher education institutions and research entities to engage African immigrant communities, identify their needs, and analyze policies impacting them. The focus of PNA’s research and evaluation is community-centric, leveraging data to advocate for community needs and effect meaningful change.
Design Intergenerational Programs
Supportive Services for Youth and Families
PNA’s programs blend grassroots innovation with deep respect for ancestral identities, traditions, and cultural preservation. Services include:
- Job training, financial literacy, and legal assistance for immigrants.
- Case management to address individual needs and create personalized plans for self-sufficiency.
Advocate for Impact
PNA disseminates research findings to organizations and leaders serving African immigrants to share best practices. Advocacy training is offered to empower communities and foster a culture of action.
- Advocacy workshops for public safety and local government leadership.
- Training programs to develop civic-minded leaders.
- Promoting participation in the U.S. Census and ensuring voting rights.
Our Key Programs
We are committed to building stronger families, empowering seniors, and fostering collaborative networks of businesses and community partners. Some of our flagship programs include: Unity in Reading, Positive Parenting, Old is Gold, Community Resource Hub, and Small business support.