Why We Give: Brett Hoffland on The Sanneh Foundation

In this month of giving, KSTP is highlighting organizations that have a positive impact in our community.

Brett Hoffland visited The Sanneh Foundation to see how it is empowering youth across the Twin Cities.

Tony Sanneh grew up in Minnesota, but many remember him for his stellar play on the soccer field for the U.S. National Team.

However, it’s his legacy in the Conway Community Center in St. Paul that he’s most proud of.

"The transition into this work has been pretty easy," Sanneh, founder of the Sanneh Foundation, said.

In 2003, The Sanneh Foundation was born. It empowers Twin Cities youth with a positive environment in the classroom and with physical health.

Why We Give

"You go to bed with a smile on your face when you know you’ve affected the lives of others," Sanneh said.

Starting with just one program and a $30,000 budget, Sanneh has grown this into a six-program foundation with a yearly budget of $3.5 million.

"We’ve grown fast because we recognize the need," Sanneh said.

Another example of The Sanneh Foundation’s growth is outside the Conway Community Center. Construction is underway on a multi-field dome facility to give kids an opportunity for physical activity all year round.

Julie Kalinowski is a program coordinator who’s been with the foundation for nearly five years.

"As much as I know I’ve changed their lives, they’ve impacted my life drastically," Kalinowski said.

Kalinowski said helping these kids isn’t just her passion, it’s her purpose.

"I never had that person for me so that’s why I’m here because they need it. They need someone else to believe in them," Kalinowski said.

Sanneh stressed that it’s a dual-track theme. They work to help kids, while also giving young adults who work here a path toward a successful career.

"I’m glad that our staff is able to do real work, finding their value in the community to really calibrate their moral compass for a lifetime of success," Sanneh said.

From free sports camps to thousands of meals at no cost, The Sanneh Foundation’s impact is felt all across the Twin Cities.

"Families would really be hurt if this wasn’t here, myself included," Kalinowski said.

Especially during a time of so much uncertainty, the foundation is grateful for all their partners who can help these kids dream big.

"We know the community trusts us to do good and we want to give back and we want the next generation of leaders to come out of this area," Sanneh said.

For more information on The Sanneh Foundation and how you can help support the organization, click here.