Ammilyn, Fond du Lac band of Minnesota Chippewa and Cheyenne River Sioux, enrolled in Takoda GED program after leaving a suburban Twin Cities high school, where she at times felt unwelcome and grappled with mental health challenges.
Ammilyn, Fond du Lac band of Minnesota Chippewa and Cheyenne River Sioux, enrolled in Takoda GED program after leaving a suburban Twin Cities high school, where she at times felt unwelcome and grappled with mental health challenges.
Shorone faced a challenging two-hour commute via light rail and bus for his $15-per-hour job at Dairy Queen after incarceration. Now, at 51, he drives a 2012 Jeep Cherokee to his $24-per-hour construction job, operating a forklift. Grateful for the support from American Indian OIC/Takoda, he earned lift operation certificates, securing better employment opportunities. With assistance in job search, license recovery, and stress reduction, Shorone appreciates the dedicated team, recommending AIOIC/Takoda to others for a brighter future
Anthony’s life transformed when he discovered American Indian OIC’s Takoda programs while incarcerated. Engaging with Takoda’s SOAR program post-release, he built a resume, gained county benefits insights, and received vital support. Securing a job at Brin Glass, he now enjoys stability, redirecting his life positively.
Jessica first heard about American Indian OIC through the South Minneapolis community. She had previously enrolled in our GED program, but didn’t finish. After gaining custody of her nephew, she felt a renewed motivation to attain her GED—a personal goal she was ready to tackle, despite not ever being a big fan of school.
Takoda Institute graduate Tyler Mullen spent his summer doing an internship in the IT department of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. The company’s internships are designed to give early-career professionals meaningful experience across multiple areas of technology. For Tyler, this meant applying the IT credentials he earned through the Takoda Institute to a real-world information technology environment.
American Indian OIC has always believed in the power of culturally grounded education and workforce development to uplift families and communities. Now, thanks to research by The Constellation Fund, we have powerful new data to support what we’ve seen firsthand: our Takoda Institute’s job training programs don’t just change lives— they generate measurable, lasting value for the entire community.