Posted by NEED Staff on July 2nd 2009 in Events, NEED Magazine
Throughout the summer NEED will be hosting fun events in the Twin Cities. Here are details about an open discussion held at a café.
photo | Steve Floyd
Topic: Gang violence and at-risk youth
Join a conversation about at-risk youth with staff writer Adam Hanson, NEED photographer Steve Floyd and a local organization. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from the magazine’s issue 5 feature on inner-city Oakland as well as solutions for youth in the Twin Cities.
Cost: FREE
When: Tuesday, July 14
7 pm – 9 pm
Where: The Beat Coffeehouse
1414 W. 28th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Posted by Jan Boroff on July 2nd 2009 in Organizations, Volunteers
Lounging on the beach. Soaking up the sun. These pastimes are generally what pop into college students’ heads when they hear the words “spring break.” For a handful of students from Huntington University, a liberal arts institution in Indiana, this past spring break looked a whole lot different.
Thirteen Huntington students and staff crammed themselves and their luggage into a van that headed north to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where they spent their break serving others. In a subdivision of houses built by Habitat for Humanity, the students painted, nailed metal roofing installed hurricane sheeting, mulched and picked up trash.
Others are skipping out on the beach scene too. Over 61 million Americans participated in volunteer work between September 2007 and September 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 22 percent of people ages 16 to 24 volunteered within the US in the past year. Read Entire Post: Beyond Curriculum: Service-Learning in Colleges
Posted by Lauren Fischer on July 1st 2009 in Events, Organizations
Any reason to visit New York City is a good one, but this June I had a great reason. I was invited to attend the Media That Matters film festival and awards ceremony (MTM). I found out later that I would be presenting an award on behalf of NEED magazine! I felt honored, nervous and excited all at the same time.
Although my mind was distracted with nerves, both events went extremely well. The film festival at the School of Visual Arts Theater was completely sold out and emotions ran high. Enrico Cullen, Arts Engine’s director of development and external affairs, explains that most of the audience related to the films’ messages. By bringing important issues to the screen, MTM reminds all viewers that they are not alone.
The awards ceremony hosted by Arts Engine was another exciting aspect of my trip to the big city. I felt privileged to present the Immigration Award to Richard Levien, director and producer of “Immersion.” His short film presents a powerful narrative about children falling behind in English-only curriculums.
The theme of this year’s festival is “Screen, Act, Impact.” Along with each film there will be “take action” tools that empower the viewer to learn more about each film’s topic and direct them to specific ways to help. The collection will be distributed on DVD through Netflix and do-it-yourself screenings. Last year, more than a million people participated in the festival online and through local screenings held around the world. Read Entire Post: MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL – A SUCCESS!
Posted by NEED Staff on June 30th 2009 in Events, NEED Magazine
Throughout the summer NEED will be hosting fun events in the Twin Cities. Here are details about a movie night for subscribers.
Join the NEED crew at our office to watch one of our favorite films,
When: Friday, July 10
Come to the office at 8 pm to chat and enjoy some snacks. The movie will start at dusk.
Where: NEED office
2303 Kennedy St. NE, Suite 502
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Spaces are limited! For info contact Lauren Fischer.
Posted by Elizabeth Zabel on June 30th 2009 in Organizations
Yellowed bike posters hang on the classroom’s grey and brown walls. Old bicycles hang down from the ceiling. I did not come to buy a bike or even to look at a bike, but to teach English to Somali speakers. I came here to check out a literacy program led by friends of mine in the Seabury neighborhood of Minneapolis.
The program was difficult to find because I did not know what I was looking for—an apartment, a schoolhouse? I pulled up in front of a small grocery store and a bike shop. I double-checked the address against what I had jotted down on an envelope. The address was the same. ‘There must have been a mistake,’ I thought.
I would have turned around and gone home, but I noticed my friend Jessica waving from behind the glass doors of Scallywag’s Bike Shop. She unlocked the door and let me in. Several women smiled at me from behind the fold-out tables in the corner. The bright, bursting colors of their hijabs contrasted starkly with the drab walls. Read Entire Post: SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE
Posted by NEED on June 29th 2009 in NEED Magazine, Reader Involvement
Kosovo Roma are still refugees in Serbia 10 years after the end of the war.
photo | Franek Strzeszewski
organization | NEXUS
This photo parallels the song “Society” by Eddie Vedder. Bend, OR.
photo | Emily C. Green
Submit to the “Save The World” Challenge
Posted by NEED Staff on June 26th 2009 in Events, NEED Magazine
all photos | Madeline BuckNEED magazine subscribers and friends had a chance to escape the heat and chat over a glass of wine with NEED staff, writers and photographers at Spill the Wine in Minneapolis. It was great seeing all the people that make NEED possible in the same space meeting one another. We had Spill the Wine overflowing with inspiring stories and great conversation.
Thank you to everyone who made it out!
It was truly great to see you all. We look forward to seeing you, along with many new faces next time!
Keep an eye on the NEED website sidebar for more events throughout the summer.
Read Entire Post: Thanks it was Great!
Posted by Lauren Fischer on June 26th 2009 in Events
The four Social Entrepreneur’s Cup finalists. (L to R) Jennifer Leimaile Ho from Hearth Connection, Jason Edens from RREAL, Jim McCorkell from Admission Possible and Dr. Michael Helgeson from Apple Tree Dental. photo | Steve Floyd
Last Thursday I attended the Second Annual Engaged Philanthropy Conference, which was hosted by Social Venture Partners Minnesota (SVP). As I entered the banquet hall I immediately felt energized. People were enjoying coffee, mingling with peers and learning about local philanthropic efforts.
There was a heightened sense of excitement floating around the room because one of the four Social Entrepreneur’s Cup finalists would walk away with $20,000 USD to further its efforts. Who would it be? The four finalists in the running were Admission Possible, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance, Hearth Connection and Apple Tree Dental.
The keynote speaker Don Budinger, business and social entrepreneur. photo | Steve FloydThroughout the day we heard from a keynote speaker, business and social entrepreneur Don Budinger, attended informative learning sessions and listened to the finalists’ presentations.
After each organization gave its final pitch, SVP turned the floor over the audience. A buzz filled the room as soon as the emcee told us we would be casting a vote for our favorite organization. My table launched into a discussion about the finalist we all agreed on. After a slight debate between Apple Tree Dental and Admission Possible, we cast our vote for Admission Possible. Although each table had weighed in, the final decision came down to the Social Entrepreneur’s Cup judges. Read Entire Post: A Minnesota Social Entrepreneur Wins $20,000
Posted by Monique Dubos on June 25th 2009 in Organizations, Volunteers
David Burstein – “18 in ‘08”
David wasn’t old enough to vote when he realized that his generation was underrepresented at the polls. He was 16 during the 2004 elections, and the story that was repeating over and over on TV was that today’s youth don’t get involved in politics. He decided to do something to spur his peers — “a generation that has so much at stake, ranging from education to college tuition, from health care to global climate change,” he says — to get involved in the 2008 presidential election. David launched a non-partisan campaign aimed at launching activism and encouraging voter registration. “Whatever way they get involved, we don’t take sides. That they get involved is what’s important to us,” he says. A documentary targeting 17 to 24-year-olds was sold across the country. The Los Angeles and New York City school districts bought the film to show in civics classes. Sales of the film funded public service announcements featuring celebrities and policy forums that were held around the US. The campaign encouraged 25,000 new voters, said Burstein. Since the election, “18 in ‘08” continues to spur political participation through policy forums that spark discussion and ideas about how to solve the problems that face his generation. David says, “Young people are increasingly drifting away from party, moving toward ideas, beliefs. As a political observer, I think that’s a good thing.” Read Entire Post: Kids These Days! (Part 2)
Posted by NEED on June 24th 2009 in NEED Magazine, Reader Involvement
Mixing compost and putting it in tree sacs to plant for our arboretum.
photo | Naomi Brown
organization | SIM International
Submit to the “Save The World” Challenge
