‘The heart of South Minneapolis’ upholds Kings belief in community

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of community is as relevant today as it was in 1963. Sabathani Community Center was founded in 1966 by members of the community, who wanted to work together to provide structured activities and recreational outlets for neighborhood youth.

Today, nearly 50 years later, Sabathani Community Center is a multi-purpose social services agency known as “the heart of South Minneapolis.” With a mission of providing people of all ages and cultures with essential resources that inspires them to improve their lives and build a thriving community, Sabathani’s mission is in alignment with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s heartfelt belief in the importance of community to the good of humanity.

Sabathani’s programs meet the holistic needs of neighborhood families over the span of their lives. Horizons Youth Program provides afterschool academic enrichment for youth ages five-14. Our Senior Center is a place community elders come for education, health clinics, dancing, fitness classes, socialization and recreation.

Our Family Resources Program eases the burden of poverty by providing resources to help families meet their basic needs. Our health programs, James G. Cook First Access Health Center and eliminating health disparities initiative, endeavor to improve overall community health by addressing health disparities within the African American and Latino communities in the areas of diabetes, teen pregnancy, intentional injuries and violence and by helping individuals improve their health through health education, health clinics, nutrition information, and fitness classes.

We are proud of Sabathani’s historical legacy and longevity of service to the community we serve. As we move forward, our goals are to meet our community’s vast array of needs and to work collectively to change systems that impede our progress. Our promise to the people we serve is to be ever mindful of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s commitment to community and to work together to keep his dream and vision alive for many years to come.