With six children, life is hectic for Pa Yang and Qhia Lor.
Finding the time and money to get to downtown Minneapolis for social services made it even more challenging.
Now, however, the young couple need only a few minutes to drive to a new suburban Hennepin County services hub to seek government help with money, health care and food. "It's more convenient. I like the parking and it's closer. We don't have to drive too far," Lor said.
The Brooklyn Center hub is part of a $41 million, five-year project to close the downtown Minneapolis service center and open centers in six locations to bring county services closer to the people who need them. The county approved two more centers last week that are slated to open next year.
"We're moving direct services out," said Rex Holzemer, who oversees the project for the Human Services and Public Health Department.
At the Brooklyn Center hub, which opened Oct. 1, proximity to home and free parking appear to be big hits.
The county had projected 250 customers would walk in each day, but some days bring in well over 400. "When you make services available, people will come," Holzemer said.
Hub a cutting-edge approach