RESOURCE GUIDE


 




Minnesota Department of Commerce – Energy Assistance Program (EAP) Oversight

Why: (Minnesota Valley Action Council - Growing Cancer) The EAP is administered through this department. You can escalate if a local agency (MVAC) is misusing the program. Website: https://mn.gov/commerce/

1. State Attorney General's Office

  • Many states have consumer protection divisions under the Attorney General’s office that handle violations of privacy and unauthorized use of personal data.
  • In Minnesota, contact the Minnesota Attorney General's Office:

2. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

  • The FTC handles complaints about misuse of personal data and privacy violations.
  • Submit a Complaint: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • Relevant laws: FTC Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act (if credit-related).

3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

  • If the misuse of your data is connected to housing discrimination or retaliation, you can file a Fair Housing Act complaint.
  • Submit a Complaint: HUD Fair Housing Complaint
  • Phone: 1-800-669-9777

4. Local Privacy or Consumer Protection Agencies

  • Some cities or counties have specific offices that handle consumer and privacy complaints.

5. Civil Legal Remedies

  • If your data has been misused, you may have grounds for a civil lawsuit under:
  • Consider consulting a lawyer specializing in privacy or tenant law.

6. Better Business Bureau (BBB)

  • While not a legal authority, the BBB can help escalate complaints and mediate disputes with businesses.
  • File a Complaint: BBB.org

8. Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice

  • This organization focuses on addressing human rights issues, social justice, and discrimination. They may offer guidance or resources for addressing privacy violations if they relate to broader civil rights concerns.
    • Address: 217 Humphrey School, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
    • Email: rwilkins@umn.edu
    • Phone: 612-625-9821

9. Minnesota Department of Human Rights (Civil Complaints)

  • If the misuse of your personal data results in discrimination or retaliation, you can file a complaint under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
    • Website: mn.gov/mdhr
    • Phone: 1-800-657-3704
    • Email: info.mdhr@state.mn.us

10. Minnesota Office of African American Health (OAAH)

  • This office is dedicated to addressing issues affecting African American communities in Minnesota, including systemic discrimination or violations of civil rights. While not primarily focused on privacy, they may provide guidance or direct you to the appropriate resources.

11. United States Department of Justice (DOJ)

  • The DOJ can address civil rights violations and misuse of personal data when it relates to federal privacy laws or discrimination.
    • Civil Rights Division: justice.gov/crt
    • Phone: 1-202-514-4609
    • Complaint Portal: civilrights.justice.gov

12. Committee Against Domestic Abuse (CADA)

  • Provides support to victims of domestic and sexual violence; may offer guidance if the data misuse relates to harassment or abuse.
    • 24-Hour Helpline: 1-800-477-0466
    • Email: info@cadamn.org
    • Website: cadamn.org

13. HOME Line

14. Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT)

  • Oversees licensed behavioral health professionals; if the data misuse involves a licensed therapist, you can file a complaint here.

15. ACLU Minnesota

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota provides advocacy and legal assistance in cases involving civil rights and liberties, including potential privacy violations or other abuses.

  • Address:
    275 East 4th Street, Suite 600
    St. Paul, MN 55101
  • Phone: 651-645-4097
  • Email: aclu@aclu-mn.org
  • Website: www.aclu-mn.org
  • Intake Form: For legal help, submit a request through their online form: Request Legal Help

 

16. Legal Abuse Syndrome (LAS)

Legal Abuse Syndrome is a term associated with PTSD-like symptoms resulting from systemic injustice or abuse in legal processes. While there isn't a centralized organization for LAS, here are potential resources and contacts for help:

1.      National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota

o    Provides support for mental health concerns, including those triggered by legal or systemic abuses.

o    Phone: 651-645-2948 (Local) / 1-888-NAMI-HELPS (Toll-Free)

o    Website: www.namimn.org

17. Therapists Specializing in Trauma

o    You can find therapists in Minnesota who specialize in trauma and PTSD by using the Psychology Today therapist directory:

o    Therapists in Minnesota

18. Coalition for Ethical Justice (Potential Resource)

o    This coalition may provide resources or support related to systemic abuses, but their reach can vary by state.

o    Check for state-specific resources on systemic injustice.

19. The Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education

o    Focuses on educating and supporting individuals affected by systemic and interpersonal harm.

o    www.saferelationshipsmagazine.com

Agencies Focusing on African American Issues

20. Urban League Twin Cities

o    Advocates for economic empowerment, education, and racial equality for African Americans.

o    Address: 2100 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411

o    Phone: 612-302-3100

o    Website: www.ultcmn.org

21. Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)

o    Focuses on addressing systemic inequities and achieving success for African American families in North Minneapolis.

o    Phone: 612-521-4405

o    Website: www.northsideachievement.org

22. Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (CMAH)

o    Advises the state government on matters affecting African American communities.

o    Phone: 651-757-1750

o    Website: mn.gov/cmah

23. Sabathani Community Center

o    Provides programs and services for African Americans in South Minneapolis, focusing on economic opportunity, housing, and education.

o    Phone: 612-821-2300

o    Website: www.sabathani.org

24. Equal Access Advocates (EAA)

  • Description: Equal Access Advocates is dedicated to providing legal advocacy and support for individuals facing barriers due to civil rights violations, disability discrimination, and other systemic injustices. Their resources include legal representation, workshops, and informational booklets like their brochure.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Civil Rights Advocacy
    • Disability Rights
    • Legal Guidance and Representation
  • Resource Link: EAA Brochure Booklet 2017 (PDF)
  • Website: www.equalaccessadvocates.com
  • Contact Information:
    • Phone: [Contact directly from brochure]
    • Email: [Listed in the brochure]
    • Address: [As per brochure details]

State and Federal Programs Supporting Refugees (SMH)

So much for other peoples refugees, while we create our own and just in general across the board the way that language is manipulated to exclude Soulaani from everything that their up against as common daily barriers of the human experience living in the United States its like there’s one word to exclude us from everything, even support, even healthcare “disparity.” Respectfully, and I say this as the daughter of an African Immigrant so people’s offense is moot to me, when you see African Americans thriving in Minnesota you can look as something as simple as the legitimacy of the supports in place for them in comparison to Soulaan supports. We’re the only population not taken seriously. It’s so frustrating; we literally have the same problems but they’re ignored because Americans did it. And we’re worse off because of history winning the civil war people have been taught to hate us based on their own history and the history of this nation. There is no threat, with people who have come from other nations and they’re embraced. I grew up around it. I know what I’m talking about.

25. Minnesota Department of Human Services (Refugee Programs Office)

o Administers refugee cash assistance, employment services, and case management programs.

o    Phone: 651-431-3864

o Website: mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/program-overviews/refugee-programs

26.  United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Twin Cities

o  Provides advocacy, direct support, and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers.

o    Website: www.refugees.org

27. Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services

28.  International Institute of Minnesota

  • Provides comprehensive services for refugees and immigrants, including education, workforce training, and refugee resettlement support.
  • Address: 1694 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
  • Phone: 651-647-0191
  • Website: www.iimn.org

29. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) Refugee Services

  • Offers refugee resettlement, family reunification, and support for asylum seekers.
  • Phone: 651-642-5990
  • Website: www.lssmn.org

30. Arrive Ministries

  • Provides resettlement assistance, immigration legal services, and community support for refugees.
  • Address: 1515 E 66th Street, Richfield, MN 55423
  • Phone: 612-798-4332
  • Website: www.arriveministries.org

31. Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis Refugee Services

  • Supports refugees with case management, employment assistance, and resettlement services.
  • Phone: 612-204-8500
  • Website: www.cctwincities.org

32. African Immigrant Community Services (AICS)

  • Provides specialized support for African refugees, including resettlement, language assistance, and youth programs.
  • Address: 1201 East Lake Street, Suite 201, Minneapolis, MN 55407
  • Phone: 612-871-9481
  • Website: www.aicsmn.org

33. Hennepin County Refugee Health Program

  • Offers health screenings and services for newly arrived refugees to ensure public health compliance.
  • Phone: 612-543-2500
  • Website: www.hennepin.us/refugeehealth

34. Somali Community Resettlement Services (SCRS)

  • Focused on Somali refugees, providing resettlement support, employment services, and community development programs.
  • Address: 1516 E Lake Street #203, Minneapolis, MN 55407
  • Phone: 612-353-6161


⚖️ FEDERAL AGENCIES

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights

  • Why: Enforces nondiscrimination under federal assistance programs, especially for low-income services like EAP.

  • Protected Classes: Race, color, national origin, disability, sex, age, and more. | Website

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

  • Why: If utility denial is affecting safe housing or causing uninhabitable conditions. Website: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) (if education access or children are impacted by service denial)

Website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html


Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (If disability-related discrimination overlaps with benefits or SSA interface)

Website: https://www.ssa.gov/agency/civil-rights/


⚖️ CIVIL RIGHTS, LEGAL & ADVOCACY GROUPS

 Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid / Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota

  • Why: Free legal support for low-income, disabled, and BIPOC individuals facing denial of public services. Website: https://mylegalaid.org/

Disability Law Center of Minnesota


HEALTH & DISPARITIES-FOCUSED AGENCIES

Minnesota Office of African American Health (via MN Department of Health)
Why: Addressing racial health disparities due to lack of basic utilities and systemic neglect.
Website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/equity/afam/index.html

Minnesota Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

  • Why: If disability and mental health rights are implicated. Website: https://mn.gov/omhdd/

Office of Equity and Inclusion – Minnesota Department of Health

  • Why: If the lack of heating and utilities has caused direct harm to your health. Website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/equity/index.html


✉️ OPTIONAL: Legislative and Media Exposure

15. Your State Legislator

  • Why: File a formal constituent complaint with your State Senator and House Representative. They can apply pressure or request an investigation.

16. Minnesota NAACP Chapters

  • Why: Community-level support and public visibility.

    • Website: https://naacp.org/find-chapter

17. Media Outlets & Civil Society Platforms

  • Why: Public accountability. Submit op-eds or documentation to newsrooms (e.g., MPR, Star Tribune, Sahan Journal).








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