As fear and uncertainty ripple through immigrant communities in Minnesota following increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, one Minneapolis mother has stepped forward to help families struggling to meet basic needs.
Destiny Prosper, whose daughter attends Jenny Lind Elementary School in north Minneapolis, has launched a grassroots effort to support families affected by recent ICE raids and school disruptions. Prosper said she became alarmed after noticing a sharp drop in student attendance over several days.
“I could see it in my daughter,” Prosper said. “She kept asking why her friends weren’t in class. Having to explain that to a six-year-old is heartbreaking.”
The absences come amid heightened tensions following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. In response, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) announced that students would have the option to attend classes virtually for the next month, citing safety concerns for students and staff.
While the district’s decision aims to protect children, Prosper said it has created additional hardships for families already living on the margins.
“Many of these families are low-income or immigrant households,” she said. “Some are afraid to leave their homes, which means they’re not working, they’re not shopping, and their kids are missing meals.”
Prosper noted that several students at Jenny Lind Elementary rely on free school breakfasts and lunches, services now disrupted by remote learning. Concerned about food insecurity and access to essentials, she started a GoFundMe campaign, is collecting gift cards, and is personally delivering groceries and supplies to families in need.
“The money goes directly to necessities,” she explained. “Food, hygiene items, whatever a family needs to get through the week.”
Despite facing criticism online, Prosper remains undeterred, emphasizing that her motivation is rooted in motherhood rather than politics.
“This isn’t about policy debates,” she said. “This is about kids. It’s about making sure children feel safe, fed, and cared for.”
Prosper said her efforts are also inspired by her own experience during the unrest that followed the 2020 killing of George Floyd, when community organizations helped her family during a difficult period.
“I remember what it felt like to need help,” she said. “That’s why I couldn’t just sit back. Our families need support, and sometimes they just need someone to say, ‘You belong here.’”
Prosper is encouraging those who are able to contribute by donating through her GoFundMe page or volunteering to help deliver supplies. She says the response so far has reinforced her belief in community solidarity during times of crisis.
“We’ve gotten this far,” she said. “There’s no turning back now.”
