Brooklyn Center-based ACER Awarded $350K for Workforce Development

Brooklyn Center-based ACER Awarded $350K for Workforce Development

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) granted more than $11 million to develop the workforce. Some of that money will go to a Brooklyn Center nonprofit.

DEED awarded African Career Education and Resource, Inc. (ACER) $350,000 to prepare and equip its clients for the workforce. The funding is meant to help members of underserved communities find substantial employment.

ACER, located at 6096 Shingle Creek Parkway, works to connect African immigrants with employment opportunities and other critical resources.

The nonprofit largely focuses on immigrants living in Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Maple Grove, Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope, officials with ACER said. The northwest suburbs are home to an estimated 45,000 African immigrants.

Nelima Sitati Munene, ACER’s executive director, said this grant aligns with the organization’s goals. She said it tries to identify where there is need and fill that need with interested people.

“Our role is to build that bridge. We have folks in our community who are interested in the heath care field who have barriers to overcome. How do we help to close those barriers?” Sitati Munene explained.

Sitati Munene said the money will go toward a number of ACER’s efforts. That includes scholarships for health care job training and support for entrepreneurship. It also will help pay for holistic care for families, like daycare and support for job seekers.

ACER recently moved to a new location in Brooklyn Center. If you’d like to check it out, it’s holding an open house on April 10.

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SOURCE: CCX MEDIA