ENG 310: Writing and Nonprofits: Local Issues

Newspaper articles are a tremendously valuable source. Look for stories about the arts, about services for various groups of people, about cultures and belonging. Newspaper articles will often mention organizations working on specific issues; you can then track down those organizations.  

While you certainly can do google searches for newspaper articles, you will hit some paywalls. The easiest way to access news articles is through the following databases. This will get you around any paywalls you might encounter. Contact Julie for more help - accessing articles behind a paywall is one of the most common questions that I get!

Note: The Mankato Free Press and the St. Peter Herald are both available through the Access World News database (below).

Here are some organizations working with race and ethnicity in Minnesota and the local area. You should also try google searches as well as the resources in the Newspapers box to find additional information. 

• Greater Mankato Diversity Council
• Diversity and Inclusion - from the Mankato city government
• Racial Equity Resource Directory - from Minnesota Compass
• Directory of MN government agencies focused on race and ethnicity

If you're investigating issues related to Minnesota's economy, start with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The Region Nine Development Commission is also a good place to check. You may also want to browse the city government sites for St. Peter and Mankato. If you are looking for statistics related to the economy, start with our library guide to Business & Economy statistics.

There are many organizations serving refugees in Minnesota, including within the surrounding area. You should also try google searches as well as the resources in the Newspapers box to find additional information. 

• MCC Mankato Area Refugee Services, part of the broader Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services
• Refugee Resettlement - International Institute of Minnesota
• Refugee Resettlement Programs Office, part of the Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Resettlement resources, including local, federal and international organizations, from the Minnesota Department of Health

These are several of the main arts organizations in Minnesota, especially those serving the surrounding area. You should also try google searches as well as the resources in the Newspapers box to find additional information. 

• Arts Center of St. Peter
• Carnegie Arts Center - Mankato
• Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council
• Minnesota State Arts Board

Here are a few education groups in Minnesota. You should also try google searches as well as the resources in the Newspapers box to find additional information. 

• Minnesota Department of Education
• Education Minnesota Foundation
• St. Peter Public Schools
• Mankato Area Public Schools

While you'll find a lot of information on recreation and leisure from google searches, here are the local and state government agencies most closely involved in rec and leisure in Minnesota:

• Parks, Trails, and Recreation - from the City of Mankato
• Community Education - Mankato
• Recreation and Leisure Services - from the City of St. Peter
• St. Peter Community and Family Education
• Recreation - from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources