About Us:
A Latina/Hispanic Women Nonprofit

Vision

We envision our city of Northfield and the surrounding areas in southern Minnesota as communities where the growing immigrant and refugee populations feel welcomed and appreciated, and are embraced as contributors with full access to opportunities.

Our work focuses on affordable housing, economic growth and entrepreneurs support, wellbeing, and art expression through our nonprofit market and arts center, Mercado Local and MAS, Arts Space-Mercado Artes.

Mission Statement

The sizable immigrant and refugee communities in Northfield have been largely invisible for many years and suffer issues that are specific to them. Neighbors United works to advocate, bring visibility and empowerment to these communities.

We are committed to being an inclusive group open to everyone, with the goal of breaking down barriers and bridging gaps between communities. All are welcome, regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or economic status.

History

Neighbors United began with a core group of four immigrant women and the support of two husbands. At the time, the women were co-hosts of the Spanish-language radio show Barrio Latino on Northfield’s local station, KYMN, The One. Housing issues prompted them to take action, and through that work, they discovered a broader need for advocacy in the community. From this beginning, the group has grown, continuing to welcome all who wish to join.

Neighbors United operated in the Northfield area of southern Minnesota for two years before officially becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on January 31, 2017. Today, it remains deeply engaged with the immigrant community. Many volunteers participate in its nonprofit market, Mercado Local, which features over 22 vendors, as well as in the Art Center, MAS – Mercado Local Art Space / Mercado Local Artes, a storefront located in downtown Northfield.

Focus Areas

Following our vision, we strive to work on areas that need to improve in our community. Those areas include but are not limited to:

Housing

Working towards having more immigrants and people of color be homeowners and build equity for their families.

Apartments: Worked with the City of Northfield and the outcome was the new rental ordinance and tenant protections.
Providing support to Viking Terrace Manufactured Home Community sold to a national company.

Business and Economic Development

Supporting minority owned businesses.

We are the promoters and creators of the Mercado Local, a nonprofit market and art center of local vendors seeking to promote their businesses and grow as entrepreneurs.

Cultural

Working to share our culture and know other cultures. Expanding cultural activities with art, exhibits, murals and music in Northfield with Mercado Local nonprofit market and art center MAS– Mercado Local Art Space / Mercado Local Artes, a storefront located in downtown Northfield.

Education

We created the Hispanic Committee with the Northfield Public Schools. Community members from the Immigrant Community meet with the Superintendent several times per year to share people’s worries and what can the schools offer to families. An excellent way to know each other.
As community partners of the local colleges, Carleton and St. Olaf, we work with faculty and students on Academic Civic Engagement classes on projects involving the immigrant community.