COVID-19 Community Coordinators

 
(Photo credit: Ivy Vainio)

The COVID-19 community coordinators (CCC) initiative was terminated on March 24, 2025 due to insufficient federal funding.

The CCC initiative funded community-based organizations to connect Minnesota’s diverse communities to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and other resources, as well as providing access and support for comprehensive health recovery post-pandemic. Coordinators were contracted with the State to serve communities hit hardest by COVID-19, including communities of color, American Indian communities, LGBTQ communities, and Minnesotans with disabilities.

It is essential to draw on community strengths and trusted community networks to respond effectively to COVID-19 and to longstanding health inequities made worse by the pandemic. The funded CCC organizations understand the cultural norms and values of their communities and how to address their needs.

These contracts were supported by the community engagement team within the Health Equity Strategy and Innovation Division at the Minnesota Department of Health.

What COVID-19 community coordinators provide

COVID-19 community coordinators supported Minnesotans who needed COVID-19 information specific to their communities, including in their languages. Coordinators helped community members find and get critical resources to deal with health concerns as well as employment, food access, housing, childcare, and legal rights.

COVID-19 community coordinators answered questions about: 

• Where to get tested for COVID-19
• What COVID-19 vaccines are available and how and where to get vaccinated
• Food support
• Health care and mental health resources 
• Housing and rental assistance
• COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing
• Employment resources

2024-25 COVID-19 community coordinators 

1. Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota
2. Advocates for Thriving Communities
3. African Career, Education & Resources, Incorporated (ACER)
4. African Immigrants Community Services
5. American Indian Community Housing Organization
6. Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
7. Briva Health
8. CAPI USA
9. Center for African Immigrants & Refugees Organization (CAIRO)
10. Centro Nazareno de Compasión Agape, Inc.
11. Chinese Community Center
12. Comunidades Latinas en Servicio (CLUES)
13. Comunidades Organizando el Poder (COPAL)
14. Cultural Wellness Center
15. East African Integration Center
16. Equity News Network
17. Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER)
18. Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc.
19. Hmong American Partnership
20. Igbo Women League (IWL)
21. International Oromo Health Professionals Association
22. Islamic Association of North America
23. Keystone Interpreting Solutions
24. Korean Service Center
25. Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
26. Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
27. Little Earth Residents Association
28. Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
29. Minnesota People of Color LGBTQ+ Pride
30. Minnesota Africans United
31. Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition
32. Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
33. Raíces Sagradas Community Mental Health (RAICES)
34. Re’ese Adbarat Tserha Aryam Kidist Selassie Cathedral EOTC (TAKS)
35. Restoration for All Inc.
36. SEWA-AIFW
37. Skellegnese LLC
38. St. Mary’s Health Clinics
39. Stairstep Foundation
40. The Aliveness Project
41. Vietnamese Social Services (VSS)
42. Voices for Racial Justice (Seeds of Justice)
43. WellShare International
44. White Earth Band of Chippewa