Ujamaa Place Welcomes Mr. Otis Zanders as its new President & CEO
Saint Paul, MN (July 30, 2012) – Ujamaa Place is pleased to welcome Mr. Otis Zanders as the new President and CEO of Ujamaa Place. Mr. Zanders worked for thirty-four years with the MN Department of Corrections and was the Warden of the Minnesota Juvenile Correctional Facility in Red Wing for the last fifteen years where he created strong programs and community partnerships that achieved outstanding results. A longtime resident of St. Paul, Mr. Zanders is an active community member and serves on the board of several nonprofit organizations. His outstanding experience with young men similar to those served by Ujamaa Place along with his passion for helping young men will greatly further the Ujamaa Place mission.
Ujamaa Place is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist young African American men typically between 17 and 28 years of age, who are economically disadvantaged and have experienced repeated cycles of failure. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ujamaa Place offers these young men success in their lives through education and skills training specifically aimed at turning their lives around to become productive members of their families and communities.
Currently, about 30 men are enrolled in the program. Some of the men’s successes to date include:
- Not going back to jail
- Discontinued involvement with a gang
- Completion of their GED and a growing hunger to learn
- Securing a full time job for the first time in their life
- Renewed relationships with their children and families
- Finding a safe and secure place to live
- Enrollment in job training programs
- Enrollment in post-secondary degree programs
Mr. Zanders started his tenure on Monday, July 23rd. The former President and CEO, Senator John Harrington, transitioned to Board Chair. The men of Ujamaa Place thank Senator Harrington for his leadership as President and CEO and continued commitment as Board Chair.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Otis Zanders to his new position as President and CEO of Ujamaa Place.
There is a lost generation of young men in our community. They’ve grown up impoverished and without fathers, they’ve dropped out of school, they’ve never held a decent job, they’ve become involved in drugs and violence, and they’ve already been to jail more than once. Without effective intervention, their prospects are dim, but we know that change is possible. Please join us in working with this marginalized population for a better future for them, their families and our community!
Ujamaa Place’s mission is to assist African American men typically between 17 and 28 years of age, who are economically disadvantaged and have experienced repeated cycles of failure. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ujamaa Place offers these young men success in their lives through education and skills training specifically aimed at turning their lives around to become productive members of their families and communities.
Informational sessions are held each Monday at 10:00am. If you are in need of our services, please contact us at (651) 528-8006. Should we miss your call, please leave a message with your name and telephone number. We will return your call as soon as possible!
