Healthy Community Initiative

10/14/2026

Early voting is underway in Rice County and Youth on Boards members, led by the Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC), recently supported a voter registration drive at Northfield High School. They encouraged and assisted students age 16 and older with pre-registering (and registering) to vote and played Minnesota and government-related trivia with younger students. Rice County residents can vote ahead of the Nov. 3 general election in person in Faribault or at Northfield City Hall, or by requesting a ballot by mail. Learn more about early voting options at kymnradio.net/2026-election-guide

MYC students were joined by students from other local boards, including the District Youth Council (DYC). They’ll also be hosting a local candidate forum on Oct. 27 in the Northfield High School auditorium, so spread the word to the students in your life!

10/12/2026

Today, we honor the history, resilience, and rich cultures of Indigenous communities. Join us in recognizing this day with a commitment to learning more about the extraordinary legacies of Native people in America.

Find resources for all ages and learn more about Indigenous history in Minnesota: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/indian/teach/

10/07/2026

HCI has been a proud participant of Opportunity Reboot (a Youthprise initiative) since it began in 2015. For more than ten years HCI has worked with Youthprise to help youth who have become disconnected from education and employment achieve the career-readiness skills needed for them to gain a more secure foothold in life as they pursue their long-term goals.

At HCI, Opportunity Reboot funding contributes to the work we do in the TORCH (Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes) and RISE (Realizing Individual Student Excellence) programs in partnership with Northfield and Faribault Public Schools, which work toward improving high school graduation and postsecondary participation rates in low-income youth, potential first-generation college attendees, and/or students of color.

funding also supports students working on their postsecondary education through the NCCC, which offers in-person and online community college classes, tutoring, career planning assistance, and other support that promotes postsecondary success and leads to meaningful, family-sustaining careers.

Key partners of Opportunity Reboot include: The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Youth Development, Search Institute, and MENTOR Minnesota.

10/05/2026

Thanks to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for highlighting one of our incredible NCCC-supported student parents - Yolanda! The NCCC: Navigating and Coaching for College and Careers is proud to support students at all stages of life through their postsecondary journey.

10/05/2026

Growing Up Healthy staff are facilitating another vaccine clinic this week in partnership with Rice County Public Health! The vaccine clinic will take place on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 3-5 p.m. at the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC). This clinic supports any Northfield Public School District student who is currently without health insurance coverage (or is on MA) and who needs updated immunizations. If you have questions or would like to register, please contact [email protected].

10/03/2026

HCI is currently accepting applications for two open positions!

The Director of Grants role is a full-time, hybrid, salaried position. We are seeking an experienced government and foundation grant writer. This role focuses on large-scale, complex public funding opportunities that drive significant community impact.

The Early Childhood Navigator role is a full-time, hourly position based in Faribault and working under the Growing Up Healthy umbrella. Early Childhood Navigators work with families with young children to help them overcome obstacles that prevent kindergarten readiness.

Visit www.hci-mn.org/careers for more information.

10/02/2026

Clean River Partners, HealthFinders Collaborative y la Ciudad de Northfield le invitan a una celebración comunitaria para toda la familia, pensada especialmente para niños pequeños y familias de habla hispana.

Este festival con temática del agua reúne a la comunidad con un mercado local, actividades prácticas, puestos educativos, lotería y una visita del bibliobús de la Biblioteca Pública de Northfield. ¡Venga a apoyar a los artesanos locales, descubra formas divertidas de cuidar nuestra agua y conéctese con sus vecinos! En el camino, esté atento a Miguel, nuestra mascota cachorro de agua, en su misión de proteger el río Cannon.

Clean River Partners, HealthFinders Collaborative, and the City of Northfield invite you to a family-friendly community celebration especially for young children and Spanish-speaking families.

This water-themed festival brings the community together with a local market, hands-on activities, educational booths, lotería, and a visit from the Northfield Public Library's bookmobile. Come support local makers, discover fun ways to care for our water, and connect with your neighbors! Along the way, keep an eye out for Miguel, our mudpuppy mascot, on a mission to protect the Cannon River.

Clean River Partners, HealthFinders Collaborative y la Ciudad de Northfield le invitan a una celebración comunitaria para toda la familia, pensada especialmente para niños pequeños y familias de habla hispana.

Este festival con temática del agua reúne a la comunidad con un mercado local, actividades prácticas, puestos educativos, lotería y una visita del bibliobús de la Biblioteca Pública de Northfield. ¡Venga a apoyar a los artesanos locales, descubra formas divertidas de cuidar nuestra agua y conéctese con sus vecinos! En el camino, esté atento a Miguel, nuestra mascota cachorro de agua, en su misión de proteger el río Cannon.

10/01/2026

Several flu vaccination clinics are scheduled this month in Rice County. Find one near you! If you don't have insurance, you can still get the flu shot at no cost to you.

10/01/2026

Celebrate a New Health Resource for Faribault Youth! Join HealthFinders Collaborative next Thursday, Oct. 8, from 4-6 p.m. for the grand opening of the School Health Center at Faribault High School. This new health center represents a community-driven effort to remove barriers and provide accessible healthcare for local youth, helping them to thrive both in the classroom and beyond. The ribbon cutting will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by tours and the opportunity to connect with the care team. HCI joins HealthFinders and Faribault Public Schools in celebrating this effort to support healthier Faribault youth!

09/28/2026

Interested in pursuing a career in long-term care nursing? Through the Supporting New Americans in the Long-term Care Workforce grant, you can receive support to take certified nursing assistant (CNA) courses, pay for tuition, testing, and supplies, and continue your nursing education beyond the CNA certification.

Contact: Candace Godfrey, Manager, NCCC
[email protected]
(507) 301-6729 (call or text)

This program is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services through the Supporting New Americans in the Long-term Workforce grant. This program is offered through a partnership between Healthy Community Initiative, the NCCC, and the Community Action Center - Northfield.

Visit nccc-mn.org/academic-programs/ for more information.

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En Español:

¿Le interesa cursar una carrera en enfermería de cuidados a largo plazo? A través de la subvención «Apoyo a los nuevos estadounidenses en la fuerza laboral de cuidados prolongados», usted puede recibir fondos para realizar cursos de asistente de enfermería certificado (CNA), cubrir los costos de matrícula, exámenes y materiales y seguir persiguiendo su formación en enfermería más allá de la certificación de CNA.

Contacto: Candace Godfrey, Gerente, NCCC
[email protected]
(507) 301-6729 (llame o envíe un mensaje de texto)

Este programa es patrocinado por el Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Minnesota, a través de la subvención de Apoyo a los Nuevos Estadounidenses en la Fuerza Laboral de Cuidados Prolongados. Este programa se ofrece a través de una colaboración entre La Iniciativa para una Comunidad Saludable, la orientación y el acompañamiento para la universidad y las carreras profesionales (NCCC, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Centro de Acción Comunitaria.

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Somali:

Ma dooneysaa in aad mustaqbalka xirfad ka dhigato kalkaalisada caafimaadka? Iyada oo la kaashanyo deeq laga helay Supporting New Americans in the Long-term Care Workforce, waxaa la idinka caawin karaa tababarka gacan yaraha kalkaalisada caafimaadka (CNA), bixinta kharashka waxbarashada, imtixaanada, iyo qalabka waxbarashada, iyo waxbarashada xigta ee kalkaalisada caafimaadka ee ka dambeysa shahaadada CNA.

La soo xiriir: Candace Godfrey, Maamulaha, NCCC
[email protected]
(507) 301-6729 (Soo wac ama u soo dir fariin qoraal ah)

Barnaamijkan waxaa hirgeliyey Waaxda Adeegga Dadweynaha ee Minnesota isaga oo qeyb ka ah Taageerada Dadka Ku Cusub mareykanka ee Gargaarka dhaqaalaha ee cududda shaqaalaha. Barmaaijkan waxaa iska kaashaday Healthy Community Initiative, the NCCC, iyo Community Action Center.