SAGE Foundation out to build bridges between college students, community

One student at a time, a newly-formed Ely area nonprofit aims to build bridges between students at the Vermilion campus of Minnesota North College and the greater Ely community.

The SAGE Foundation emerged as a local effort to duplicate what was promised by Project Legacy, a failed attempt to link college students and Ely area residents.

Vermilion alumni Kes Ebbs and Lou Wiggen, an assistant basketball coach at the school, have teamed up to help college students - particularly those of color and from underrepresented populations - navigate Ely and take advantage of what it has to offer.

“A lot of the college students we are trying to support are coming from out of state or are just not familiar with the Ely area, and that can be difficult when you’re coming into a new area,” said Ebbs.

He added that for some Vermilion students, the campus “almost seems like your whole world and a lot of students don’t end up experiencing what Ely has to offer.”

Ebbs described his own experiences and challenges when arriving in Ely, including being prepared to dress for a typical northeastern Minnesota.

He and Wiggen have found a “disconnect between the college and the community” and identified reoccurring issues facing many students - including transportation, and a lack of affordable food, productive activities and consistent advocates.”

Many students don’t have access to transportation, which has led to difficulties in obtaining affordable food.

Ebbs has directed students to the Ely Area Food Shelf, but indicated some students are reluctant to take advantage of that opportunity.

“Some students are thinking they are outside of the Ely community, but (the Food Shelf) is for the community, you’re part of the community, it’s literally for you.”

The duo sets up shop regularly at the college library, and they’ve arranged an array of activities to aid Vermilion students in their adjustment to Ely.

That has included clothing drives, food drop-offs, Sunday dinners at the Ely Folk School and mentorship arrangements.

They’ve provided transportation when needed for Vermilion students and made arrangements for the same with the Ely Ride Service.

Moving forward, they’re hoping to establish a mentorship program, potential internships with area businesses and are seeking to inspire volunteerism and community participation.

Part of their efforts are aimed at convincing more Vermilion students to stay during the summer, which could in part help to alleviate some of the hiring issues faced by local businesses.

“You’re already here, you might as well stay here, work here and make some money and then potentially work out those next steps,” said Ebbs.

The SAGE Foundation, which stands for Students Achieving Goals Equally, is just getting off the ground. A board of directors has been formed and the organization is hoping to tap into grant funding and enlist community support to move forward.

Funds are needed for basic operations including a website, a vehicle to transport students, insurance, as well as staff, “We want to make sure we can make this a long running program and not just a one off, one year program where it’s going to die down,” said Ebbs.

This weekend, in conjunction with the final performances of the NLAA Musical Fiddler on the Roof, the SAGE Foundation is hosting pizza dinners at the Ely Folk School, at 5 p.m. both March 23 and 24. Plans call for silent auctions and collecting donations to help the foundation move forward, “We are currently in the process of applying for and researching grants for the upcoming school year,” said Wiggen. “With all the wonderful minds we have in Ely, it takes a village. We want to utilize the village we have there to make this organization as strong as possible.”

Ideas, information, correspondence related to donations and more can be directed to sagefoundationely@ gmail.com.