The American Indian Family Center was initially started as an idea in 1994 under the umbrella of the Ramsey County Childrens Initiative.  In 1995 a location was identified and the doors opened to families in 1997.   Articles of Incorporation and temporary federal status as a 501c3 non profit organization was achieved in 1997 with permanent status in 2001.

Growth 

AIFC in its first years received funding through the Childrens Initiative. The American Indian Family Center is now a recipient of mulitple grants through both private and public sources.

Just the Numbers 

The American Indian Family Center encourages families to participate in our activities and in doing so can become a member of our Family Center.  Each year these member families have grown.

Structure

The American Indian Family Center is governed by a 7 member Board of Directors made up of culturally grounded individuals from the American Indian and St. Paul Community.  The Center is staffed by American Indians and includes a full time Director, Associate Director, four Program Managers, Case Managers, one Therapist, a Secretary and a Community Health Nurse. The staff is from the Lakota, Dakota, Ojibwe, and Yupik Indian nations.  The Family Center staff is connected to the St. Paul Indian community and brings a wealth of educational credentials, cultural knowledge, customs and values to the community in which they work.  The American Indian Family Center is located on the Eastside and is easily accessible to the high population of American Indians residing on St. Pauls Eastside and is on a major bus route for others needing services at the family center. 

Programming

In all programming, the Family Center views each program participant holistically, in the philosophy of the medicine wheel, which teaches that the four parts of each human being, physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual are equally important.  Thus, interventions for any one area must include an assessment of the other areas.  All American Indian Family Center programming focuses on bringing traditional values to bear on the challenges facing our families today.  We are finding success in connecting with these values to fulfill our mission of healthier families.  With all of our programming the American Indian Family Center promotes building relationships and seeks genuine participation from our community.  The AIFC pulls together partner agencies and community resources that serve the American Indian community so that access to services is increased.  In most of our programs and services we rely on some or all of the American Indian serving agencies in St. Paul.  Many of these partners are able to provide access to community members, resources to supplement our program activities, and support to our parents and staff as they work with the community.