Community learning pods aim to meet shifting needs as Minnesota schools return to class The Hope Youth Center wants to continue as a community center. March 11, 2021 — 5:18pm Text size Copy shortlink: The sign at Hope Youth Center that says "School Zone — Keep Voices Down" is hardly necessary. The 28 students tucked in cubicles there on a recent morning were nearly silent as they focused on online classes. "All these kids wanted was a quiet space to work," said Mary Claire Francois, one of the co-founders of the center in Minneapolis. "But we also know that they need more and we're here to offer that."