The Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, serves the four southeast Minneapolis neighborhoods of Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park and Wenonah. Tracing our beginnings back to the mid-1980’s, NENA was incorporated in 1997 with the goals of promoting neighborhood improvement and revitalization and encouraging citizen participation in civic affairs. NENA invests in neighborhood improvement, builds community connections, encourages citizen participation, and advocates for the interests of the Nokomis East neighborhood. Through the years, NENA volunteers and staff have developed successful programs in the areas of Housing, Commercial and Streetscape, Environment, Neighborhood Development & Planning and People Services & Safety. Current NENA programs include low-interest rate home improvement loans and an emergency repair fund; environmental initiatives such as the Giving Garden and Gateway Gardens; and popular annual events such as the Minneapolis Monarch Festival, State of Our Neighborhood, and a neighborhood garage sale day. NENA is led by a 15 person Board of Directors comprised of community members, elected by the community at our Annual Meeting in April. We are a neighborhood-driven organization and thrive with a diverse group of volunteers and active committee participants.
