Thursday, September 15, 2011

Does Your Site Serve Hmong Youth?

Attend the 10th Annual Hmong Resource Fair on October 1st! The mission of the Hmong Resource Fair is to provide resources and assistance to members of the Hmong community and to those who work with them.

The Fair brings health, education, employment, housing and a variety of other resources to you every year. The Hmong Resource Fair is committed to providing opportunities and a source of networking with local and national organizations for the community. Through strong partnerships and sponsorships, and the support of our community, Hmong Resource Fair works to make many informational resources free and accessible to the Hmong community and the public.

Taking Bolder Actions: Engaging Youth, Families and Community Members in Solutions

Changing the way you do business means changing who is involved in identifying community issues, as well as who is active in taking action toward solutions. Leaders need to engage youth, families and community leaders as organizers, planners and advocates by ensuring ongoing opportunities for leadership and participation. It's important to have strategies that reach all, not just a few. We'll highlight the work and tools of three Ready by 21 National Partners - America's Promise Alliance, Search Institute and United Way Worldwide - and discuss ways to ensure that your work is engaging youth, families and community leaders to the fullest.

Mark your calendar for September 27, 2011, 3 PM ET, and don't forget to register for this FREE webinar today to learn about taking Bolder Actions in your community!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

2011 ACT Report

Here is the 2011 ACT report on Minnesota. It provides up to date information about one aspect of college-readiness: http://www.act.org/news/data/11/states/pdf/Minnesota.pdf

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Ready by 21 Webinar on July 26th

The Ready by 21 Partnership is committed to meeting leaders where they are, challenging them to do more, and helping them build the capacity to do so. Included in this endeavor is our free Ready by 21 Webinar series, aimed at introducing participants to the core components of Ready by 21. The webinar series is designed around the Ready by 21 Leadership Capacity areas (the 4Bs): Building Broader Partnerships, Setting Bigger Goals, Using Better Data for Decision Making, and Implementing Bolder Strategies. In our webinar series, we will provide an opportunity to learn the basics of the Ready by 21 Strategies via 3 part modules. Each module will consist of one introductory webinar, one webinar focused on a leadership capacity, and a focused webinar on a related tool or resource. We hope you can join us for this exciting series! Click here to register or contact Kiley Bednar at Kiley@forumfyi.org with any questions.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Win Airline tickets for your program!

From Southwest Airlines --

"In honor of our 40th Anniversary, we want to spread the LUV even further to the communities we serve by giving 40 deserving nonprofit organizations the chance to win 40 roundtrip tickets each—that’s 1,600 tickets total. Starting July 12 through the end of day on July 14, nonprofit organizations focused on community initiatives that concentrate on education, diversity, military, environment, or families facing serious illness can submit a photo illustrating the positive work they do in the community along with their compelling story to showingluvfor40years@wnco.com to explain how they will use the 40 tickets to achieve the organization’s missions in the community."

‘Beyond the Numbers’ a documentary film project


Opportunity for youth with University of Minnesota students:

How are students interacting with ‘the numbers’ in their classrooms and schools?
What happens when ‘the numbers’ drive our education?

The Youth Education Justice Initiative (YEJI) is creating a short documentary film exploring the violence that occurs when students are reduced to numbers in their classrooms and schools. This project is being funded by the Summer 612 youth violence prevention campaign. We are working with youth to capture the stories that get silenced by “the numbers” in our education system: test scores, GPA, class rank, application fees, account numbers, student ID tags, graduation rates, school assessments, neighborhood demographics, etc.

This film is being produced collaboratively by students and a community filmmaker. The project will build the skills of youth to create their own media. Numbers do not have voices-Youth Do! Film is a medium through which youth can project those voices to a broad audience and become participants in the dialogues around education from which they are often excluded.

We have worked closely with youth from the Minneapolis Youth Congress and the Whose University? Campaign at the University of Minnesota to develop the vision for the film. These young people are at differing points in their experience in the education system- some are in high school, some have graduated, some are pursuing post secondary education. We are currently looking for a few more youth who are excited about exploring these issues and being a part of a collaborative film project to join the process. If you, or youth you are connected to, are interested in being a part of this project please contact YEJI ---Hana Worku and/or Jake Virden-----by
the end of this week, Friday, July 15th. The summer is moving quickly and so is this film!

Participants are committing to attend regular Saturday meetings and filming sessions that will be scheduled by the group and dependent on the availability of interviewees.

This work will be engaging and fast paced!
Hana Worku- haworku@gmail.com
Jake Worku- jakevirden@gmail.com

Monday, July 11, 2011

BABY PICS!!!

To illustrate how much we’ve grown over the year we’re asking Promise Fellows & Supervisors to send a baby picture (of yourself, under the age of 5) to Rachel Ayoub (email Promisefellow@mnyipa.org or mail to 1494 Grand Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105), with the subject line: BABY PICTURE OF (your name) by Friday, July 22nd! Can't wait to see all your cute faces!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Linking School, Afterschool, and Summer Learning to Support Student Success

There is growing national discussion about the need to create a more expansive definition of learning to include all the ways that youth can access educational opportunities—not just through the traditional school model, but also through afterschool activities, time spent with the family, and increasingly, through interaction with digital media. Broadening our ideas about where, when, and how learning happens helps communities to create richer learning pathways that have the potential to include more nonacademic opportunities to help youth gain the skills necessary for a healthy adulthood, offer a seamless learning environment that can help stem summer learning loss, and tap resources outside of schools for additional opportunities to help close the achievement gap.

Click HERE to access the full PDF.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The CANVAS

This summer, the Canvas will be offering two powerful and unique programs each and every Thursday evening. First, TEENS TAKING ACTION, a series filled with workshops and discussions (and food!) will investigate the intersection of community, social justice and the arts. Second, they'll be kicking off their THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE series, a weekly event focused on showcasing talent, loving the arts and just having fun. From poetry slams to concerts to dance battles and more, these programs will all be FREE.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

TXT 2011

AWESOME summer camp opportunity for female students entering 5th-8th grade!!! Three days of college prep at Dakota County Technical College and two days of GEEK SQUAD SUMMER ACADEMY!!! ONLY $25 for the whole week!!! Click here to download the flyer and information about how to register!!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Youth Leadership Opportunity through The Frederick Douglass Family Foundation

The Frederick Douglass Family Foundation (FDFF) has announced the formation of a Student Board of Advisors for our 2011-12 service-learning programs. Students that will be entering grades 7-12 in fall 2011 are eligible to apply for a seat on the Board.

They will select 50 students from all over the country that are interested in helping to address the issue of human trafficking. They are looking for outstanding young people to assist in creating service projects that will have a real impact on this global dilemma. FDFF is accepting applications beginning immediately.

Visit their website for an application: http://www.fdff.org/student-advisory-application.html
For more information, please visit www.fdff.org or contact Robert Benz at 702-523-4845

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

9/11 Service-Learning Grants

For those of you already thinking ahead to next year!


YSA's Youth Council is partnering with State Farm to support youth across the United States in learning about, remembering, and honoring the 10th anniversary of 9/11 through a 9/11 service-learning project.

Available to youth ages 5-25 and teachers/educators who work with youth ages 5-25, YSA will award 10-20 $500 or $1,000 grants to youth-led projects that address important community needs while helping youth - many of who have no first hand memory of the event - remember and honor the 9/11 victims and their families, understand the significance of the event, and commit to sustaining our democracy through service.

Projects will need to address one of YSA's 9 for 9/11 - 9 lessons from the event and related ideas for service-learning projects. Grant applicants can also suggest a 10th lesson. (YSA will select one of these proposed lessons to become the 10th lesson for 9/11, to coincide with the 10th anniversary of 9/11.)

-One-day or limited-duration projects that take place primarily on 9/11 are eligible to apply for $500.
-Projects that take place over an extended period of time (approximately 70 hours) as part of a summer Semester of Service (culminating on 9/11) or a fall Semester of Service (beginning on 9/11) are eligible to apply for $1,000.


Tentative Program Timeline:

Application Deadline: Friday, June 17
Notification: early July
Grant implementation: approximately July through September 11 (Summer of Service); September 11th for one-day projects; or September 11 through MLK Day of Service - January 16, 2012 (fall Semester of Service)
Progress Report Due: Thursday, September 1
Final Report Due: Friday, September 23 for summer or 9/11 Day of Service-only projects; February 1 for fall Semester of Service projects.



Application Process:

To begin the application, take this eligibility quiz. (http://www.cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/quiz.display_question?x_gm_id=3187&x_quiz_id=4133&x_order_by=1%20)
Applicants who have already taken the eligibility quiz and started their application can access their application here. (http://www.cybergrants.com/ysa/10for9-11/application)
If you have questions during the application process, please contact grants@ysa.org

Nominations Now Open for PARADE's All America High School Service Team Awards

"PARADE Magazine and generationOn are seeking nominations for The All America High School Service Team, to recognize students who have made exemplary contributions in the service areas of: health, education, environment, economics or community. These students show service as a solution to solve community problems and the power of stories to inspire others to action.

All nominees will receive acknowledgement and thanks in the form of an auto-reply.Everyone should feel good about being nominated or self-nominating. All nominees are appreciated and are winners in the sense that they are helping people and making a difference. The top 50 finalists, 10 per issue category, will receive certificates. The top 15 (3 per issue category), will receive a two-day paid trip to Washington, D.C. to receive their award and special recognition."


For more information, please see Parade's website

Shout-Out Video!

Give KARE 11 Sunrise a "Shout-out!" Submit your school's "Shout-out" video 30 seconds or less to their Facebook wall. We will air some of the videos during Sunrise over the coming weeks! Details in the link...

Monday, May 23, 2011

JUNIORS: In the Quiet of Summer, Start Your Essays

Do you serve at a High School this year? Has your attention been focused on Seniors preparing for college? Don't forget about the juniors! In preparation for their senior year, help your students get a jump start on their college admissions essay. The less hurried months before the onslaught of a highly pressured fall offer the chance for students to think, reflect and connect with a writing topic that can then be developed into 500 words of polished prose.


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Can teachers overcome poverty?

A volunteer's view from the trenches, which is a touching, yet heartbreaking account of a man's efforts to give time and energy to our youth.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Impact of Youth Development Programs On Student Academic Achievement

While access to high quality schools is a “necessary ingredient for the education of students, good schools alone may not be sufficient to ensure universally high levels of academic development.”

Click here to read more about how youth development programming can promote educational success.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Battle of Everyouth

"The Battle of Everyouth" is a projection-based performance staged at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for one night, beginning at 10 p.m., as part of the Northern Spark "white night" festival. It will be a blend of live cinema, participatory theater, and live performance, creating a context for exploration and conversation on the theme of global youth and violence.

Students from Washburn High School are working with the artists to interact with the public.

"MIA Inside/Out: Battle of Everyouth" is made possible by a Joyce Foundation Award and a grant from the Friends of the Institute with additional support by Northern Spark.

Saturday, June 4, 2011
24th Street Entrance to MIA
Free Exhibition

Featuring artists Ali Momeni and Jenny Schmid.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Friday, May 13, 2011

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Upcoming Event: Child Soldiers and Bullying: Taking a Stand Against Genocide and Hate

World Without Genocide, a human rights organization headquartered at William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, announces its inaugural high school institute to be held this summer, August 16-18. The institute, "Child Soldiers and Bullying: Taking a Stand Against Genocide and Hate," focuses on the connection between bullying and homophobia in our local schools and the prevalence of hate and violence around the world. The institute will include a genocide survivors’ panel; action plans from advocates, human rights experts, and upstanders; leadership training; and award-winning films. The institute will conclude with student presentations for local government leaders.

Rev. Carl Wilkens will be one of the featured speakers. The only American to remain in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide, Wilkens personally saved the lives of hundreds of children.

High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are invited to apply. The program will be held at William Mitchell College of Law from August 16-18. The cost of $100 per student covers meals, materials, and the program. Need-based scholarships are available; no student will be turned away.

To register and for more information visit http://worldwithoutgenocide.org/institute call 952-693-5206, or write to info@worldwithoutgenocide.org

World Without Genocide promotes education and action to protect innocent people, prevent genocide, prosecute perpetrators, and remember those whose lives and cultures have been destroyed by genocide.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Article about Reading Corps

I opened my door Tuesday morning to a headline in my newspaper that was a pleasant surprise: Four Minnesota corporations had joined forces to give the Minneapolis school system $13 million to help with early childhood literacy and improve science and math proficiency among young students.

Click here to read the whole article!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Sign Up Now for AmeriCorps Week Day of Service!

AmeriCorps Week is coming up quickly. The day of service is Monday, May 16th. Sign up now for service sites. There are sites all over Minnesota and opportunities range from just a few hours to all day. To find out more and register for a site, go to the Intercorps Council website.

Honor AmeriCorps Week(May 14th -21st)

Dear Minnesota AmeriCorps Member,
In honor of AmeriCorps Week (May 14th -21st) Handson Twin Cities would like to highlight the great work and impact that AmeriCorps members are making around the metro area; and we need your help!
We are asking for personal reflection stories, descriptions of projects/ programs you are working with, and overall impact you believe is being made possible through AmeriCorps.
Once the stories are gathered, we would like to highlight several stories a day throughout the week via our HOTC blog.
If you are interested in writing a meaningful reflection story or informational blog post please read the guidelines below. You are welcome to submit your entry any time before the deadline. If you are interested yet have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
As AmeriCorps members, my colleague Liz and I are excited to spotlight the hard work and positive strides being made by like minded AmeriCorps Members throughout our community.

For more information, click here!

Cultural Competence: Deepening Understandings

What is “being culturally competent” and what does that look like on the job?

How do I respond to the changing demographics of my community and workplace?

During this 3 hour workshop on May 20, participants will explore the important role of culture in our society and have the opportunity to engage in productive conversations on culture and race. Through exercises we will also explore how stereotyping and labeling play out in our everyday lives. Please join me for a fun, informative, interactive workshop that will add some tools to your toolbox about race, racism, and supporting a more diverse and multicultural Twin Cities.

Monday, May 2, 2011

An Essential Component of Community Violence Prevention: School Bullying

Do you live in Northwestern, Minnesota? Are you free on Wednesday, May 11th? Then join YIPA for a timely professional development opportunity about bullying!

This all-day professional development and informational session will consist of three strands: First, the context of bullying will be provided, with an emphasis on the relationship between bullying and more serious types of violence. John Hoover develops characteristics of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders; he also explores behaviors associated with bullying and prevalence estimates. A second portion of the presentation deals with research-based bullying prevention programs, including recommendations for tackling cyberbullying at school and at home. The third portion of the presentation deals with the establishment of community partnerships in bullying prevention.

For more information, or to register, click HERE!

Networking Lunch

Who: Promise Fellows and statewide Youth Services providers

Where: TIES Building in St. Paul

When: Friday, June 10, 12-3:15pm

What: As the end of your year of service nears, the question of “what’s next?” may be on your mind. To help facilitate the exploration process, YIPA and our member association would like to introduce you to some of the organizations and professional paths available by inviting you to attend a professional networking lunch! We will be bringing together youth service providers from non-profit organizations across the state who are eager to discuss their personal and professional experiences with you. They will be available to talk one-on-one about their careers and how they got where they are today.

Lunch will be provided between 12:00 - 1:00pm. Following the Networking Lunch, there will be a free training on Social Media open to all. During this training, professionals will offer advice, best practices, and strategies in social media for effective communication and messaging! We encourage everyone to stick around for this great afternoon training!

More info on how to register will be coming soon... but for now, mark your calendars!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Contest

Submissions are being accepted for a poetry, essay, photo and dance contest that brings together intergenerational groups. Sponsored by The U.S. EPA, Generations United, the Dance Exchange, National Center for Creative Aging, and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc. Submissions are due by June 10th. For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Working with Somali Youth

YIPA is hosting a four-hour professional training that will explore current hurdles facing African refugee youth and ways that schools, neighborhoods, and service providers can support successful transitions. Inside the community, issues of school performance and attendance, lack of employment opportunities, and public safety are top priorities. However, youth are still facing cultural identity crises, inter-generational conflicts, a lack of community resources, mental health issues, family poverty, gangs, and unique home/peer pressures. Individuals will learn how to work effectively with Somali youth and families and also engage in conversations about how schools, neighborhoods, and service agencies can build supportive communities for these youth and their families and help them clear the hurdles.

The cost for this half-day workshop is $15 for Promise Fellows! To register with this discounted rate, contact my supervisor Paul Meunier at 763-434-4190 or paulmeunier@comcast.net.


WHEN: Friday, April 29 · 8:30am - 1:00pm

WHERE: Webster Open Elementary School
415 Southeast 4th Avenue
Minneapolis, MN

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Book Fiesta Event

"CLUES will be hosting for the community at CLUES in Minneapolis on Friday, April 29 from 12:00- 6:00 pm and in St Paul on Saturday, April 30th from 9am-3pm to promote book, reading, and literacy skills within the diverse communities.

They will be giving away free books in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Oromo, Hmong, and Somali) and will be offering book read alouds, a quiet reading area, and interactive literacy activities for all participants. They are partnering with TPT, the public libraries, the Children's Museum, the Science Museum, and the Mexican Consulate to offer resources for parents and activities for the children. All of the activities are free and open to all, however please note that families should call us ahead of time to reserve their free books."

More about Clues:
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio
Many cultures, one dream. Muchas culturas, un solo sueño.

797 E. 7th Street

St Paul, MN 55106

work phone 651-379-4212

fax 651-292-0347

ylerew@clues.org

www.clues.org



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Webinar: Effective and Innovative Solutions to Address Health Issues Affecting Refugees, Recent Immigrants, and Undereducated Adults

Wednesday, May 04, 2011 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CT)

The increasing population growth of racial and ethnic communities and linguistic groups, each with its own cultural traits and health profiles, presents a challenge to addressing critical health issues in this country. By understanding, valuing, and incorporating the cultural differences of America's diverse population and examining one's own health-related values and beliefs, we can implement and support a system that responds appropriately to, and directly serves the unique needs of populations whose cultures may be different from the prevailing culture (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Minority Health).

Register Now!
http://healthwebinar.eventbrite.com/

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

GOP Education Bill

Here's a copy of the new bill proposed by House Republicans on Monday.  Since then, Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius has called the bill "too aggressive" and other Democrats from around the state think it creates a win/lose situation for inner-city schools.  Republicans believe that the bill will help fund charter and rural schools and pilot programs in Minneapolis and Saint Paul that aim to close the achievement gap.  Take a look, here

Friday, March 18, 2011

Women of WISE

Promise Fellow site, Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment (WISE) is featured in a local paper! WISE is a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 to help Asian, African and Latino immigrant women and girls succeed in this country. One of their programs, Girls Getting Ahead in Leadership (GGAL) aims to teach low-income immigrant high school girls what they need to know to get into college and how to finance it.

Way to go, women of WISE!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Youth Issues via Webinars

There's still time to sign up for some timely webinars related to working with youth. Well Aware is offering webinars about suicide and cyberbullying.

Workshops for Girls!

The YWCA is offering some all-day workshops for young girls! Click here for more information!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Race to Nowhere

Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.

In a grassroots sensation already feeding a groundswell for change, hundreds of theaters, schools and organizations nationwide are hosting community screenings during a six month campaign to screen the film nationwide. Tens of thousands of people are coming together, using the film as the centerpiece for raising awareness, radically changing the national dialogue on education and galvanizing change.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Century College Presents "Reach for the Stars" 11th Annual Young Women’s Conference.

Reach for the Stars “is a conference to encourage girls in grades six through ten to discover their unique interests and talents and to explore the wide range of future careers open to them. We want young women to connect their education to their economic future and to visualize themselves as successful and fulfilled workers.”

When: Saturday, April 2, 2011. 9:30 am -3:15 pm
Where: Century College, East Campus
How much: $10 per girl, $10 per adult

For more information, see http://www.century.edu/files/events/ywc_flyer.pdf
Or contact: Tracy Lybeck, 651.779.3967

Friday, March 11, 2011

The State of College Access in Minnesota

The Minnesota College Access Network will be releasing their latest findings about college access in the state of Minnesota. MCAN will host presentations in two locations:

Augsburg College:

Tuesday, March 29, 2011; 9:30 AM – 11 AM
Augsburg College (Minneapolis Campus), 2211 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis MN
Sateren Auditorium - Music Hall
Register Here

Winona State University:

Monday, April 11, 2011; 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Winona State University, 170 West Sanborn St, Winona MN
East Hall, Kryzsko Commons
Register Here

Data from over 3000 Minnesotan students will be presented, along with recommendations for practice and policy related to access and readiness. Space is limited so please register today!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Free ACT Prep for high school students

The Doorway Center, a college and resource center sponsored by the Saint Paul Public library is offering ACT prep help and practice tests in the coming months.

ACT prep:
March 22, 3pm-5pm: English, Reading, & Writing
March 24, 3pm-5pm: Math & Science
@ Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center
800 Conway Street, St. Paul, MN 55106

There will also be a free ACT practice test:
Saturday, March 26, 8:30am
@ Harding High School [room 1323]
1540 6th Street E, St. Paul, MN 55106
If you have any questions, please contact Douachee Lee: douachee.lee@ci.stpaul.mn.us  651.353.6868
All students must register for the
PRACTICE ACT TEST by emailing douachee.lee@ci.stpaul.mn.us with the following
information: name, high school, & phone number

For more information, please contact: Douachee Lee: douachee.lee@ci.stpaul.mn.us 651.353.6868

For more information on the Doorway Center visit: http://www.stpaul.lib.mn.us/locations/sunray-doorway.html

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

EPA Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Grant Funding

From the Environmental Protection Agency:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting grant applications for $1.9 million in funding for environmental education projects and programs. The purpose of the grants is to promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers and citizens. EPA expects to award at least 20 grants nationwide ranging from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $100,000 and will accept applications until May 2, 2011.

The grants provide financial support for innovative projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Projects should involve environmental education activities that go beyond disseminating information.

EPA will be hosting two conference calls for potential applicants interested in additional information about the application process. The conference calls will take place on March 21, 2011 at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and April 6 at 2 p.m. (EDT). To participate in the conference calls, dial: 1-866-379-5082, and use conference ID number: 48699133 for the call on March 21. Use conference ID number: 48696117 for the call on April 6.

For more information:
http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html

Art for Social Change Workshop for Students

Penumbra Theatre Company is currently offering free 50-60 minute in-classroom workshops for students. Using theatre games inspired by the Theatre of the Oppressed, they help students identify and explore social justice issues in their community. Three experienced staff members lead the session. They are currently scheduling workshops for March and April. For more information, contact Asha Shoffner at asha.shoffner@penumbratheatre.org or 651-288-7791. For more information about Penumbra theatre, see www.penumbratheatre.org.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

My Corps Values Project

The InterCorps Council of MN (ICC of MN) is providing a unique opportunity to engage former and current AmeriCorps members from around the state to creatively express the impact their national service experience has had on them.  In essence, it allows those who are serving and those who have served to share how their personal values have been influenced or have developed as a result of being an AmeriCorps member.  All projects will be displayed during AmeriCorps Week in May.  For more information and submission guidelines, click here

Monday, January 31, 2011

Achievement Gap Committee

Did you know that a Committee on the Achievement Gap existed?! I sure didn't, but am happy that it does! If you have time, check out this 2010 address from the retiring Superintendent on the Achievement Gap.

Striving to Close the Gap Event

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the African American Leadership Forum are jointly sponsoring an event Strive and "discussing the possibility and to consider launching a similar effort to connect the dots across our metropolitan area's diverse efforts to raise student achievement overall and to close gaps between student groups." The event will be Monday, Feb. 7, 10-11:30 a.m. at Coffman Memorial Union Theater at the University of Minnesota. To learn more about Strive and this event, go to

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Upcoming Training: DISORDERED {thy name is teenager}

Mark your calendars for Friday March 11th, because MN YIPA and the Mentoring Partnership of MN will be presenting a phenomenal afternoon (1:00-3:30pm) training on issues relating to, and impacting teenagers in America today. Disordered is a play that is written and performed by teens working with the Blank Slate Theatre. It is a mixture of spoken word with acting out monologues of various different characters who are coping with some of the common struggles faced by American teens. The cast will talk about various disorders such as depression, OCD, Anxiety, eating disorders, ODD and ADHD, as they pertain to their daily lives. We will have the honor of watching the play LIVE, and will follow it up with a brief Q&A session and discussion. This production aims to bring a perspective on teenagers that the media often ignores: that teens, like adults, suffer with mental disorders.

The training will be held at Children's Home Society & Family Services (1605 Eustis Street, St. Paul, MN) and will cost Promise Fellows $10! Feel free to invite your friends and coworkers to register for this uniquely awesome event, but let them know the fee for them may be different!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Programs for PreK-12 Students and Educators

If you're still looking for ways to actively engage your youth cohort in an activity outside your school, check out some of these AWESOME opportunities offered by the University of Minnesota!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

100 Strong Who Care

Minneapolis Public Schools, in partnership with the Hennepin County Medical Center, Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Minnesota Twins and KBEM-FM Jazz 88, will bring 100 business professionals to Loring Community School for “100 Strong Who Care: Building Bridges for the Next Generation.”

This event is designed to connect students with community members who want to impact their lives. The event will introduce students to business professionals in marketing, science, law, human resources, computer technology and many more professions.

How Can you Help:
For further information or to sign up, please contact Adebisi A. Wilson, MPS Office of Equity & Diversity @ 612.668.0018 or Adebisi.Wilson@mpls.k12.mn.us. Click here for the official facebook event.

Ready By 21 Webinar

The SEARCH Institute is hosting a FREE webinar on Thursday January 27th! The Ready by 21 National Partnership (“Rb21”) provides tools, resources, guidance, and national influence to tackle major obstacles that limit the success of community initiatives, and equips community leaders to lay the groundwork for changing the conditions that change lives. It offers many advantages:
  • Tools and guidance for big-picture planning
  • Cutting-edge resources for developing indicators and gathering data
  • Tools, surveys, coaching, and other development opportunities
  • National advocacy to engage local affiliates and other stakeholders
Click here and look at the right hand side of your screen for details on how to register!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

American Indian Family Scholarship Night

If you're working with American Indian youth who are interested in going to college, check out this upcoming event!

American Indian Family Scholarship Information Night
Hosted by Minnesota College Access Network, an initiative of MMEP
Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011
South High School
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dinner is provided. No RSVP is necessary, but is greatly appreciated.

This event is geared toward helping American Indian students and their families understand the financial aid and college processes. The event includes a college fair, general session and breakout sessions related to preparing for and financing college. Useful information from college admission and financial aid people, current college students and parents. Families with children of all ages welcome and the event is free of charge.

Representatives from the following colleges and universities will be present at the College Fair:

Augsburg College
College of St. Benedict’s and St. John’s University
Concordia University, Saint Paul
Hennepin Technical College
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
St. Cloud State University
University of Minnesota, Morris
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Winona State University

Groups of 10 or more, please contact Amanda Ziebell-Finley, 651-645-7400 x 204

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Friday, January 14, 2011

FAFSA Training

Want to be better equipped to help students fill out FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms? Attend this free training to learn more about assisting students through the process and also learn about the changes to the 2011-2012 FAFSA.

These trainings are held by Minnesota College Access Network Initiative (MCAN) and are happening at multiple locations, including the Twin Cities, Crookston and Mankato.

For more information, see http://www.mncollegegoalsunday.org/PitchIn.cfm

Monday, January 10, 2011

A Call for Volunteers!

Hey everyone! As we put the pieces together for the 2011 Rally for Youth Day at the Capitol, we look to all of you AmeriCorps Promise Fellows for some help! We are in need of some energetic and excited volunteers to help make the day go as smoothly as possible! There are many different tasks you could possibly be assigned to, but all are equally rewarding and count toward your CIVIC ENGAGEMENT hours! We anticipate that shifts will run anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on your availability. Please contact RACHEL at promisefellow@mnyipa.org for more information!

Mark your calendars! Thursday March 3, 2011 from 9am-3:30pm at the Minnesota State Capitol!

And make sure to RSVP to the facebook event if you haven't already!

Friday, January 7, 2011

2011 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour


Come down to Urban League Academy/City Inc. High School on TUESDAY, JANUARY
11th at 6:00 PM to learn more about Project Ready's Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour 2011. Project Ready Staff will be hosting a parent and student information night at 2201 Blaisdell Ave. S. in Minneapolis. To learn more, call 612 874-9667.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Mini-Grants Available for Connecting Children with Nature in Northern Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Crookston, in partnership with Minnesota Extension, Regional Sustainable Development Partnership Northwest Regional Development Commission, International Water Institute River Watch, Polk and Mahnomen Public Health Programs, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is offering mini-grants of $500.

"The mini-grant opportunities are available to any school, club, group, community, or non-profit organization directly involved with educating or caring for children located in Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, and Wilkin counties. To be considered for the next round of funding applications must be received by February 1, 2011. For more information or to access the application form, visit www.umcrookston.edu/childrenandnature."

For more on currently funded projects: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/umcweb/news/2011/01/seven-mini-grants-awarded-in-d.html.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Stress Reduction Tips for High Schoolers

Check out this article from Minnesota Public Radio News about Stress Reduction Tips in Schools.  Provides great insight for teaching students tips and working with the potentially stressed out lives of certain students.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/npr.php?id=132630439

World Without Genocide: Summer Institute for Students

This might be of interest for some older high school students:

Taking a Stand against Genocide and Hate:
Rwanda, Congo, and Gender-Based Violence
Summer High School Institute
August 16-18, 2011

Prejudice, discrimination, hate, and violence plague our schools, our communities, and the world.
World Without Genocide is hosting a three-day summer institute for high school juniors and seniors to learn about the 1994 genocide in Rwanda; the spillover into Congo in a conflict that has resulted in the deaths of more than five million people; and continued violence, particularly against women and girls, today.
The focus of the institute is to enable students to stand up for human rights both globally and locally. On a global level, participants will learn how to advocate for innocent people in conflict zones around the world. Locally, many Minnesota students face homophobia and xenophobia in school-based bullying. Institute participants will learn skills to create a school environment in which everyone matters - and everyone matters equally.
The Institute will include a genocide survivors’ panel; training by organizations that develop youth leadership; presentations by representatives of the Marshall-Brennan Fellows at William Mitchell College of Law, Center for Victims of Torture, and the American Refugee Committee; and book and film excerpts. The Institute will conclude with a student-led program for invited mayors, council members, and human rights commissioners to advocate for the prevention of prejudice, discrimination, and violence.
For more information and to register, please go to www.worldwithoutgenocide.org/Institute

Free Lecture TODAY

I know this is REALLY short notice, but if you've got time in your schedule today, you're invited to a free lecture by the Konopka Institute!

Adolescence: What’s RISK got to do with it?
Busting the Stereotype that Teens Underestimate Risk
Speaker: Clea McNeely, MA, DrPH

When: TODAY January 5, 2011, from 11:30 am — 1:00 pm
Where: MN Department of Health, Snelling Office Park
1645 Energy Park Drive – Red River Room

Feel free to bring your own lunch and they'll provide dessert!

No need to RSVP

*Thanks to Matt for posting this on the YCC facebook page