According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than one in four adults living with mental health challenges also have a substance use problem (SAMHSA, 2023). Often, people experiencing these co-occurring disorders struggle to find sustainable help and support, and Melissa (pictured) was one.

On the last day of the 2023 session, the Minnesota legislature passed a capital investment package containing $3.388M for improvements at Harriet Tubman Center East in Maplewood. Through this award, our state legislature has demonstrated bipartisan support, recognizing the importance of the public/private partnership necessary to best serve our clients and communities.

The $3.388M will be used specifically for an additional public elevator to increase accessibility, safety, and confidentiality; a partial roof replacement; major electrical upgrades; and the completion of fire sprinkling code compliance.

Over the past several months, Tubman's Racial Justice Collective has expanded the scope of racial justice to include work around land acknowledgements. A staff workgroup has been formed, and has connected with Indigenous activist and consultant Nancy Bordeaux. The complete Land Acknowledgement is now available to read, including a statement from Tubman's Land Acknowledgement Workgroup on the background and resources. As we continue the process of learning, we know that this land acknowledgement is only one part of our commitment to working with and supporting our Indigenous clients and the many communities around Tubman.