Sowing Seeds In
The Community
“In order to successfully complete any journey, you must begin with the first step”
Our Mission
The Mission of It’s Our Neighborhood is to build and develop youth into entrepreneurs. This mission will be accomplished by providing employment, mentoring relationships, and recreational and academic opportunities to these students.
What We Offer
Weekly Classes
Mondays, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Intro to Entrepreneurship
Interns will learn the basics of starting their own business, creating a detailed business plan to present at the youth job fair.
Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Photography & Videography
Interns will learn to take photos and videos and to use editing software. Photos and videos will be used to promote their businesses.
Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
UPS Job Placement
Learn what you need to know to get a job with UPS.
Thursdays, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Web Design with Tech for Success
Interns will build and deploy their own business websites to showcase their business model, products and services.
Fridays, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Chess Club & Game Competition
Interns will learn mastery of chess and play games with a chance to earn prizes.
ION Events Calendar
Prizes Available:
1st Place $400, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $200, 4th Place $100, 5th Place $50, and 6th-10th non cash prizes.
Youth Membership Application and Job Opportunities
Apply for Membership! For grades 3rd-10th only.
Apply for Employment! For ages 14 - 20 only.
Please click the link below,
create a user account, and apply
for the Its Our Neighborhood Intern
Program.
Job Positions:
Maintenance, Marketing, Landscaping, Dishwasher, Food handler, Computer Tech Tutor, Business Tutor, Chess Tutor, Secretary, Multimedia Tutor
For all other job positions please click the link below and email or drop off at our location.
Programs and Services
• Entrepreneurial mentoring
• Business classes and Workshops
• Academic and Social programs
Employment Services
• High school Students
• Adults
• Tutors
Volunteers
• Tutors
• Chaperone
• Other
Vending +
ST. PAUL CHILDREN'S BUSINESS FAIR AND BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT
YOUTH CHESS TOURNAMENTS
Thank you to our Community Partners!
“Owner Milan Dennie says it's his way of helping out his neighborhood. He says he grew up with a single mother and knows how hard it can be for families to afford all the expenses that come with a new school year.”
Inside Edition
About Milan Dennie
Like many young black men around him in Gary, Ind., Milan Dennie didn’t grow up with much. It was mostly just his siblings and his mom, who struggled to make ends meet. He remembers the pressure to have new shoes, clothes, and a fresh haircut heading back to school, and wished there was a way to help his family afford those things. It’s because of those difficult times that he is committed to helping people today, giving away haircuts and school supplies through It’s Our Neighborhood. Now, children in the neighborhood can go to school with pride and self-esteem, knowing their parents didn’t have to shell out yet another big expense.
By doing what he does, Milan and his crew also present the children with role models of hope and triumph, success and leadership. He exemplifies entrepreneurship. What’s more, he proactively mentors the children, listens to them, talks with them, asks them how they and their families are doing and what they want to become in life, and he offers inspirational advice based on his own life experience.
Let’s not forget to mention that Milan is an accomplished professional barber. He does hairstyles of different entertainers, sports figures and celebrities, but the most popular these days are mohawks with graphic designs.
“It’s actually something I went through growing up,” Dennie said. “My mom was sick so she really couldn’t work. Other kids, they had really nice stuff and you have to go to school with those kids, and they’ve got on brand new Jordan’s (sneakers), and you’ve got on your brother’s hand-me-downs. You are going to get bullied and chastised. Parents do their best, but stuff is expensive.”
Twin Cities Pioneer Press
In the News
 Inside Edition"Minnesota Barber Gives Away Haircuts and Backpacks to Needy Kids Headed Back to School" |  Twin Cities Pioneer Press"With free haircuts and backpack giveaways, a St. Paul barber starts his own nonprofit" |  WCCO CBS Minnesota"St. Paul Barber Gives Free Back-To-School Haircuts" |
|---|---|---|
 KARE 11"Barbershop gives free back-to-school haircuts" |  Minnesota Monthly"Milan Dennie of King Milan’s Barbershop" |  Fox 9"Free back to school haircuts at King Milan's barbershop" |
““So many kids out here ask me, ‘Man, you’ve got a job for me?’ And I feel bad,” Dennie said. “I went on to college. I have a few credentials.”
Twin Cities Pioneer Press
We Need Your Support Today!
Milan’s Labor Day Event garners a handful of donations and volunteers, here and there, but he mostly covers costs out of his own pocket. That’s why he’s calling on the public and businesses to offer their time, products and services, and to make donations. So far, McDonald's has donated desserts, The St. Paul Saints have donated baseball tickets, The Wilder Foundation has donated volunteers, and even a local woman has offered animals for a petting zoo. So if you’re in a position to help school children look and feel their best and to receive a gesture of hope and possibility, please donate what you can. It’s Our Neighborhood is a nonprofit organization.