10/17/2026
This past Friday and Saturday, CAPI officially celebrated the grand opening of our expanded and redesigned Immigrant Opportunity Center (IOC) in Brooklyn Center! This milestone marks an exciting new chapter in CAPI’s legacy, with a space designed around the needs, hopes, and future of the community we serve.
From expanded gathering spaces and a technology resource center to community gardens and partnerships that will bring childcare and immigration legal resources to our facility, every part of the IOC reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. We look forward to continuing the legacy of growth and prosperity that began in Brooklyn Center in 2018 and in the Twin Cities in 1982.
A few words from Mary Neidermeyer, CAPI’s CEO, who has led the vision to bring the Immigrant Opportunity Center to life:
"This space that we are gathering in today has been the result of years of planning, dedication, and commitment, and I am so proud to be standing here with you. I think you would agree that our community deserves spaces of beauty, dignity, and belonging. They deserve opportunity, stability, and the resources they need to thrive. And that is what this building represents.
At a time when many organizations are shrinking, when buildings around us sit vacant, and when our immigrant communities are facing uncertainty, we are opening something new. Brooklyn Center is one of the most diverse communities in Minnesota. It is rich in culture, entrepreneurship, and possibilities. This community deserves investment, and this building is proof of what can happen when people choose to invest in a community's future. I think that is what makes today so meaningful.
The real purpose of this building is not the building itself. It is what happens inside it.
Families will come here seeking foods that connect them to home, tradition, and community. Job seekers will find coaching, support, and pathways to sustainable employment. Others will come to strengthen their financial futures, prepare for homeownership, or get help navigating systems that can often feel overwhelming.
Whatever brings someone through our doors, our goal is simple: to ensure they feel welcomed, supported, and equipped to move forward."
This milestone would not have been possible without the many dedicated individuals, organizations, and teams who contributed their time, resources, and passion to bring this vision to life. We extend our heartfelt thanks to:
• The City of Brooklyn Center
• Metropolitan Council
• The Offices of Senator Amy Klobuchar
• Representative Ilhan Omar
• Senator Susan Pha
• Representative Samantha Vang
• LOCUS Architecture
• Ashley from Fancy Meeting You Here
• Loeffler Construction
• Joel Schurke
• CAPI’s Board of Directors
• CAPI staff
• CAPI funders, donors, and partners
• And, most importantly, our community
Thank you for believing in this vision and helping make it a reality.
We can’t wait to see the connections made, opportunities discovered, and futures strengthened within these walls. This space was designed with the community at its heart, with every space, detail, and decision shaped by the people it serves.
