One Heartland
One Heartland's mission is to improve the lives of children, youth, and families facing significant health challenges or social isolation. We envision a world where everyone feels appreciated, celebrated, and free of stigma and discrimination. We want a community where individuals can learn and grow so that they may lead healthier and more productive lives. We meet these goals through our summer camp programs. We provide youth (ages 7-17) camps to three distinct marginalized groups: HIV/AIDS+ youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and LGBTQ+ families. Our programs provide a safe and accepting place for youth to enjoy summer camp activities while building community with peers and adults with similar identities. Aside from being fun, camp builds self-confidence, life skills, friendships, and memories.
$50,000.00 each year is for a grant to One Heartland Center for programming and outdoor activities for families and youth in Minnesota.
We will provide financial aid to 57 youth to attend camp and provide financial assistance to the majority of families who attend family camp, roughly 30 individuals. These outcomes will apply to those campers:
1. Provide a judgment-free, welcoming space where youth can fully express and celebrate their identity without fear of rejection.
90% of campers surveyed will agree or strongly agree with this statement.
2. Create opportunities for youth to gain life skills, build confidence, and access necessary resources so they can succeed in life.
90% of campers surveyed will agree or strongly agree with this statement.
3. Facilitate connections and friendships between youth in similar circumstances, so they can develop a lifelong support network.
90% of campers surveyed will agree or strongly agree with this statement.
70% of eligible campers will return year after year.
4. Provide educational opportunities around healthy relationships, mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, HIV/AIDS prevention and community resources.
90% of campers surveyed will agree or strongly agree with this statement.
Every camp session will have at least one partner agency on-site to discuss healthy relationships, all campers will attend.
Every camp session will have at least one educational class addressing queer history and the legacy of HIV/AIDS in our community, all campers will attend.
5. Campers will have an increased sense of belonging and connections by creating relationships with trusted adults.
90% of campers surveyed will agree or strongly agree with this statement.
6. Campers will have an increased sense of understanding and connection to nature and will develop a sense of care and appreciation for the environment.
90% of campers surveyed will agree or strongly agree with this statement.
Achieved proposed outcomes