History
Banyan Community is rooted in the Phillips Neighborhood to transform lives by developing youth, strengthening families, and creating community. Banyan Community began as an idea, when founders Tim and Joani Essenburg moved into the Phillips neighborhood in 1990. The Essenburgs are committed to seeing their community change through the gifts, leadership and vision of the residents themselves.
The Essenburgs began by building relationships with their neighbors, and out of those relationships a block club was born. As neighbors got to know each other, both adults and youth began to express interest in creating new youth programs. In 1997, a Kids Club program was launched, providing a safe place for kids to learn conflict resolution and community building.
Programs grew and Banyan Community incorporated as a tax-exempt nonprofit in 1998. Development of other new programs followed: an after school program was launched and ASPIRE (high school tutoring/support) was started for high school youth when Banyan staff saw the need to provide more structured academic accountability.
The leaders of Banyan Community recognize that in order for children to thrive and ultimately graduate, go to college and succeed as adults, whole families and the larger community must be connected and engaged. This philosophy is at the heart of all of Banyan’s programs.
Banyan History
Neighbors band together to form a Block Club to fight crime and build community on the 2500 block of 16th Ave
First Kids Club of the neighborhood youth meet to play games, make crafts, share a snack, and listen to bible stories on a Thursday evening in January. Kids Club is the longest running program at Banyan.
Banyan in a fig tree with a large center trunk. Long branches send out roots which grow downward and form new trunks that create a grove of trees. This is our vision—a vibrant and connected urban neighborhood with roots and transformed lives!
Mission: To reclaim the East Region of the Phillips neighborhood by reconciling people to people and people to God and reweaving the social and spiritual relationships necessary to create a tapestry that strengthens education, family and community.
Vision: Building Shalom in the City (Shalom: a Hebrew word meaning peace, justice, and the enjoyment of all relationships with God, ourselves, and neighbors.)
A partnership with artist Anne C. Brink and middle school youth begins with the theme: Build Each Other Up.
After School Program begins at Banyan house, providing a safe place for kids to do homework.
First Banyan youth graduates from DeLaSalle High School with a Higher Ground scholarship.
Banyan expands to nearby church, 2nd floor offices, gym space and classrooms.
Banyan elementary kids attend Silver Birch Ranch for summer camp.
Banyan builds collective efficacy in our neighborhood through the dual strategy of local leadership development and block-by-block community building efforts. The Lighthouse Network operates on a longstanding concept of block club organizing. The overall goal of the Lighthouse Network is to enhance public safety through leadership development and community building.
Space is maxed out and a waiting list begins. Banyan Board of Directors begins due diligence on search and acquisition of a new building to allow for growth.
Banyan middle school youth attend Camp Amnicon.
Banyan hires first Banyan parent in Family Advocate role.
Event is designed to bring in business leaders to build bridges for 1st generation leaders. Banyan recognizes that in order for people in poverty to thrive and succeed, whole families AND the larger community must be connected. Banyan creates educational pathways for youth to develop leadership skills, engage in positive and meaningful relationships with peers and adults, and broaden their horizons. These pathways are likened to a “LinkedIn” social capital network that dissipates the ghetto-like situation of poverty in neighborhoods.
5 million dollar Growing Responsibly kick off.
Park Board voted unanimously to sell property to Banyan for our new permanent home.
Groundbreaking on a permanent home for Banyan! Construction began the fall of 2015 and will be completed in the summer of 2016.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony August 18, 2016.
At the end of July 2016, as the lease expired on our 6,200 square foot space, staff packed and labelled boxes. Community members arrived and helped move Banyan to our new home. This was the third move in Banyan’s history, and puts us in our permanent home!
In response to input from Banyan parents, the adult-focused Community, Leadership, Education, and Connection (CLEC) program was launched.
Banyan graduates the 50th youth from high school.
Wilder Research performed a study to determine the societal return in investment (ROI) that our work fostered based on the youth who have graduated from high school in our first 20 years. The research concluded that Banyan’s ROI per youth yields a benefit: cost ratio of 8:1. For every $1 invested in Banyan, $8 is returned to society!
Banyan builds a unique and responsive partnership with St. David’s Center to offer a 4-star Parent Aware and NAEYC certified early childhood education program in the Phillips neighborhood. This partnership bring experts in early childhood development and urban community development together. The model uses a community platform to improve educational outcomes for the youngest members of our community, intervening as early as possible to lay the groundwork for long-term educational success.
Banyan pivoted programmatic offerings during the pandemic.
Banyan is pleased to provide a space for Minneapolis Public School’s Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes. ECFE’s goal is to enhance the ability of all families to provide the best possible environment for their child’s learning and growth.
Banyan Community celebrates its 25th year of serving the community. Read more and watch our history video.
Still Rooted, Rising & Reaching
The Seedlings early childhood program is shaped by a collaborative effort that emphasizes a holistic, multi-generational learning experience. Curriculum focuses on side-by-side experiential learning that caters to both children (0-4 years old) and caregivers. Within the program there is dedicated time for parents to learn together, drive the topic studies through collective voice, and build a support network.
With the addition of the Senior Social Club Banyan has completed the arc of impact offering services to neighbors of every age.
“I love how Banyan supports families and kids. My kids really enjoy coming here and the educators do a great job.”
“I am so grateful for Banyan. I trust Banyan and the staff here with my children, which is very important to me.”
“Sometimes I think of moving to the suburbs due to the drug and homeless issues but, then I think of Banyan and my neighbors, friends and family and I say – I CAN NEVER LEAVE PHILLIPS.”
“I’m glad I came to Banyan this summer or else I would just be at home bored watching TV instead of doing fun things like crafts.”
“I’m thankful that we have had Banyan to guide us through this college process. We have never done this before, and don’t know anything about college or financial aid. It was good to know that our son had Banyan to help him understand things and explain the steps.”
“Banyan teaches you to stand up for what you know is right, to handle the situation in a respectful manner.”
“I give to Banyan because I know that my gift will go a long way both in impact with the community as well as effectiveness with a well-run organization.”