Blog

5 Scary Things That Happen When You Don’t Vote…

On this Halloween, only four days away from a major election, there are a few things I am pretty darn scared for in our state if every eligible voter in our state DOESN’T get out to the polls by 8pm on November 4th.

Here they are:

1. We will continue to have the worst-in-the-nation voting gap between voters of color and white voters. We will not hear the voices, demands, and needs from people of color. Our votes = our representation. No vote. No representation.

2. More of us losing our voting rights. Right now, people living in our community who have served their time but are still on probation/parole do not have the right to vote. If we don’t vote, that will just be the beginning of silencing as many voices in our community as possible.

3. Our kids’ future. Our votes determine what kind of laws and policies we are able to create to make our lives and our future better. Future generations are relying on me and you to vote for them.

4. Our countries prisons have become something someone can profit on. The same people who build those prisons, locking people in our community up and out, are the same ones who rely on progressives like me and you to NOT vote, so they can build more prisons and profit more off of our communities.… Continue reading »

Women Across Minnesota

Minnesota is a pretty big state. Stretching hundreds of miles from the rocky shores of Lake Superior to the vast prairie spanning along the Iowa border. But last Thursday night the state got a whole lot smaller.

We had over sixty people, mostly all women, calling from the far reaches of the state, from Northfield to the North Shore. Not to mention all the people making calls from our Duluth, St. Paul and Grand Rapids offices. Although the women callers may all see a different slice of Minnesota when they look out the window, all sixty volunteers shared a common story that night- we need a Minnesota that works for women and families. Several women shared their own stories of going to work too soon after a child was born or not having paid time off to care for a sick family member. Unfortunately these stories are too common in all corners of our state.

That’s why our work is so important. We can actually change this story for all Minnesota’s women and families. Seriously, this can be changed. On Thursday night we made 3,000 calls. Meaning we called households all over Minnesota to talk about these issues and why our elections are so important.… Continue reading »

Calling with babies.

I don’t have kids myself. Perhaps that is why I am so elated when kiddos come to our office with their parents. 

Last week we had a little four month old girl come to a night of calling with her mother. (I spent a good portion of the evening calling with a sleeping baby on my lap!)

As I called other women in the 8th CD that night and heard babies crying or kids refusing to eat dinner or giggles of bedtime shenanigans, I felt an incredible resolve to talk to these families about why the elections mattered to them.

This is bigger than a victory on election night. This is about women talking to other women about what we need in Minnesota for women and families to succeed- paid time off to care for a sick child, paid paternity leave, affordable childcare.

It is so compelling and honest to watch our Duluth office fill to the brim each Monday and Thursday with a group of women ready to work. The elections aren’t the answer to the big daunting problems we face. But they are a start. They are a place we gather to share what isn’t working, and begin talking about what we can do next.… Continue reading »

Ready to mess with politics?

When I am out in the community and I ask folks if they are registered to vote, a lot of times people respond with “I don’t mess with politics.” If this is you, I have something very important for you to know: whether or not you want to mess with politics, it’s messing with you. 

You can’t avoid being impacted by the people who control the policies and resources that govern our community. As a matter of fact, the longer we choose to “not mess with politics” the longer we are in danger of being screwed by systems run by people who don’t represent our values and experiences.

To make it plain, when you don’t “mess with politics” you get Police and Teachers who don’t live in or know anything about your neighborhood but are responsible to protect and educate your community. When you don’t “mess with politics” you get elected officials who listen to millionaires and corporations instead of listening to you. Not messing with politics may sound righteous, but in actuality, puts all the control and power in the hands of those whose instincts are to oppress us.

So are you ready to mess with politics?

Join us this Saturday as we hit the doors in North Minneapolis and on the East Side of ST.… Continue reading »

Our Favorite Moments from Grandparent’s Day

On Sunday, to celebrate Grandparent’s Day, TakeAction Minnesota members came together for a community meal, conversation, and to talk to voters. Here are some of our favorite pictures from the event!

… Continue reading »

What’s happening on Grandparents Day

Last weekend, I used “FaceTime” with my Grandma Marion who lives in North Carolina. FaceTime isn’t complicated, it’s just an app on a cell phone that lets you video chat. But what this simple tool gave me was a chance to see my Grandma’s smile, give her a virtual tour of my apartment and vegetable garden, and actually wave hello and goodbye as we greeted each other and said goodbye.

It was great to see my Grandma’s face. And as we hung up, I thought about all the things she’s taught me about the more “traditional” kind of face time – the kind of engagement in community that doesn’t require a cell phone.

Over the years, I’ve watched her carefully staying in touch with friends in far off places through hand-written letters, Christmas cards, and newspaper clippings and I’ve learned about the power of building relationships and being present in people’s lives. As I watched her meet, talk with, and become close to my friends (I swear most of them liked hanging out with her more than hanging out with just me), I learned that differences in generations don’t need to divide us, and that they can be bridged through stories, conversation, and shared values.… Continue reading »

Jobs and Justice 4 All

It’s Labor Day weekend and according to Angela Glover Blackwell Executive Director of PolicyLink, unemployment in the African American community has been a problem for six decades. We are talking about sixty years of wealth being drained from our families and communities. We can ask why, but we know the answer. In a country where unarmed black men are gunned down and choked to death in broad daylight by officers who are supposed to protect our communities. We know that we still have a problem with race.

Unemployment in the African American community is not about individual choices. It’s about Corporations who have had discriminatory hiring practices for more than sixty years. It’s about a Justice System that has used the War on Drugs and over policing to dismantle our families by putting more African Americans behind bars that we had in Slavery. It’s about people not having any reason to believe they will get a fair shot if they apply to jobs.

What’s the answer? We need to be in full control over the resources and policies that govern our community. The first step is building a voter block so that decision makers understand they are accountable to us.… Continue reading »

We Never Got a First Chance

The other day I had a scary experience that I and many black women experience over the course of our lifetimes. My partner, a dark-skinned, young, African American man, was walking the 6 blocks over to my house from his house late after work when he was followed by the police and a K-9 dog, profiling him to see if he was up to no good. As he walked, he could feel their presence, the dog’s nostrils sniffing for something wrong, and his sense of safety quickly disappearing.

Thankfully, he got to me safely and without incident but we know that this is a common reality in our community. How many black women like me, wait scared until their sons, uncles, brothers, and partners, come home from an errand, shopping, or work? Recent events in Ferguson, New York and even here in the Twin Cities, remind us, people of color, that we still have a reason to worry about our loved ones’ safety.

We have a justice system that is designed in a way to rob our communities of a fair first chance. My partner’s story is one that shows how young black men in this country are assumed to be “up to no good” and therefore need to be over-patrolled, profiled, and controlled in order to ensure everyone’s “safety”.… Continue reading »

What’s happening in the North Country

It’s been a busy summer in the North Country for TakeAction Minnesota. We wanted to make sure you knew what we’ve been up to, so we’ll be writing a blog post every month. Here’s our first installment…

It is election season. Picnics, parades, and door knocking abounds in the beautiful land of tall pines and big lakes. It’s my favorite time of the year.  As much as I love running on the amazing trails we have, I am equally jazzed to work hard to elect a slate of progressive Northlanders who will work to create a community that works for everyone.

From Grand Rapids to Duluth we are talking about why the elections matter to us. In Grand Rapids two 90 year old Rosie the Riveters marched in the Tall Timber Days parade to highlight the long way we have come, and the long way we have to go, on women’s economic justice. In Duluth we are hosting working families’ phone banks to talk about why paid sick days matter to working families.

Yes, it’s nice outside. Yes, we could all be dipping our feet off the dock. But would that get us where we want to be in November? Not so much.… Continue reading »

Locked Up Locked Out

This past Saturday at Locked up Locked out, community members came together to talk about the impact of the criminal justice system on our community. Shvonne Johnson Associate Dean of Students at St. Catherine’s offered a powerful spoken word piece that ask the question, what is our response to the system that criminalizes us? I think it is safe to say that 122+ signatures (and that is just the begining) for Governor Dayton to stop by North MPLS and talk about this issue is a solid response.

See you on the doors, but until then, here is Professor Johnsons spoken word piece.

Thank you to everyone who made #LockedUpLockedOut a success!

Locked up, Locked Out…

“To discuss the inhumanity of a system that is failing is not what this is about…
Although the system is failing…
To discuss a system that is broken is not what this poem is about.
Although it is broken…
This is about the pain of not having a place for mistakes and it being socially acceptable, and expected to be on the outskirts of humanity which might make you feel locked out.
We can talk about the socialization of our penal system which deems it lawful to subject a human being entirely to the domination of some influence or person.… Continue reading »

Locked Up Locked Out + Jobs

We know that people with records face barriers to employment, housing and democracy and to add insult to injury, big companies make even BIGGER profits from us — but won’t hire a brotha with a past. All while keeping us from voting so we have no voice on Election Day.

Enough is enough. This Saturday, we are getting together to demand corporations give us a fair shot at a job and to make it clear to our elected officials that while people on probation for felony convictions can’t vote, our families can and will be at the polls. We will vote for the candidate who will listen to us and support an agenda that moves Minnesota forward and creates more opportunity and Justice 4 All of us.

Come out and join us as we share our stories, build an agenda and take action for change. Locked up Locked out is just the beginning, let’s build a movement. Register at this link: Locked up Locked out

Then keep scrolling for more events and 47 job postings to help with you job search below.

Peace,
Justin Terrell

Events:
Locked up Locked out
2nd Chance Saturday
Powerful Invitations Training
Running Effective Door Knocks and Phone Banks Training
Together for Health

Job Postings:

Below are some links to help with your job search.… Continue reading »

Sharing our stories at Locked Up Locked Out

Jamil Jackson grew up on the North side of Minneapolis with two parents and was active in school and sports. By age 16, Jamil found himself as the man of the house, with no parents and responsible for feeding 6 siblings by working part time at Target and doing what it takes to keep the lights on.

Today, Jamil is a leader in our community, but you may have never heard of him. I hadn’t, not until my 17 year old mentee told me about his Run and Shoot league. Every Sunday, Jamil and his coaches pack the gym at Farview Park with hundreds of the city’s best athletes. These kids show up and show out on the court, but Jamil also requires them to attend a mentoring session. At these sessions kids connect lessons from the court to life. When I spoke to the room full of kids, I asked, “do you know anyone with a criminal record?” and every hand in the room went up.

Ask yourself, what lessons have these kids learned? What obstacles do they have to navigate? Who do you think should be helping them navigate these obstacles? Maybe someone who has been through the same thing?… Continue reading »

Need a job?

Need a job? We know that if you have been impacted by the Justice System getting a job can be hard. Below are some links to help you with your job search.

If you get a job or find questions about your background on the job application, please let us know by emailing me at Justin@TakeActionMinnesota.org.

Also, join the conversation on what we can do to fight back against the impact of the justice system on our families. Come out to Locked up Locked out! A community conversation on what we can do together.

Peace,

Justin Terrell
Justice 4 All Program Manager
TakeAction Minnesota
705 Raymond Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114
612-432-2141

Justin@takeactionminnesota.org

Construction/Painting/Etc.
Ballantine Painting & Drywall – Painters and Tapers
Healthy Homes/Lead Hazard Control/Insulation/Weatherization – Crew Member
Vantage Painting Co. – Painter, Interior and Exterior
Horizon Roofing, Inc. – Laborer on a Roofing Crew
Shaw/Stewart Lumber Co. – Driver/Yard Person
Twin City Framers – Entry Level Framer
MP Nexlevel, LLC – Laborers, Operators
Prestige Pools – Crew Member

Landscape/Groundskeeping/Building Maintenance
Dominium Apartment Complex in St. Paul – Groundskeeper
CommonBond Communities, Apartments in Minneapolis – Housekeeping/Caretaker
CommonBond Communities Apartment in St. Paul – Maintenance Technician I

Warehouse
Martin-Brower – Warehouse Person
Pro-Staff Recruitment Job – Part-Time Warehouse, General Laborer (1 year work history required)
Delaware North Companies, Target Center – Warehouse Porter
Wirtz Beverage – Night Warehouse Worker; Casual
Clopay/Griffon Corporation – Warehouse Worker I
UniFirst – Warehouse Unloader
Gulfeagle Supply – Warehouse Helper
Intermix Beverage – Warehouse Assistant (forklift experience)
Twin City Staffing – 3rd Shift Warehouse Worker
Southern Wine and Spirits – Warehouse; Nights
Viking Electric Supply – Warehouse Associate, 3rd Shift

Restaurant/Food Service
Aramark Food Service/Minnesota Arboretum – Food Service Worker
Bakers Square – Dishwashers
Delaware North Companies/Target Field – Suites Dishwasher
The Capital Grille – Server Assistant
The Capital Grille – Dishwashers
Morrison Senior Living – Cooks, Servers, Dishwashers
Minneapolis Marriot City Center – Server/Room Service

The Yard House, St.… Continue reading »

The Road to Equality Tour

In May, more than 100 women joined us in Duluth to talk about building a Minnesota that works for women and their families.

Continuing the conversation this month, our friends at the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota will cross the state for their 2014 Road to Equality Tour. See the details below:

“The tour will take us to seven vibrant Minnesota cities: Duluth, Grand Rapids, Rochester, Twin Cities, Mankato, Willmar, and Moorhead.

We’ll share the latest findings from our 2014 Status of Women & Girls in Minnesota research and learn from you how well the new data represents what’s happening for women and girls in your community.We’ll also show you how to use our new online research tool, Gender Equality Explorer.”

Interested? Head to their website to sign up. … Continue reading »

Building economic security across Minnesota

At the end of February, we laid out for you a vision to expand economic equity in the 2014 legislative session.

Three months (and 2,000+ emails to legislators, almost 30,000 doors knocked on, 8,000 petition signatures, 1,500 conversations on the phone, and one very (very) cold march with single moms later) much of that vision has been realized.

More than 300,000 Minnesotans will get a raise come August 1. Soon grandmothers will be able to stay home from work to take care of their grandchildren, and employers won’t be able to fire women simply because they’re a mom. More Minnesotans will get a second chance, and Minnesota will continue to lead the nation in health care through MinnesotaCare.

None of this would have been possible without Minnesotans like standing hand in hand with bold champions at the Capitol fighting for progress every day – while under immense pressure from corporate interests to back down.

We know that there’s more work to do. We’re still fighting to make sure that no mom worries about getting fired for staying home with sick kids. To make sure that all our neighbors can participate in our democracy. And to make sure that all Minnesotans have access to the affordable health care they need.… Continue reading »

A Minnesota that supports women and families

Working mothers in Minnesota are increasingly the primary breadwinners in their families and make up more than half of the workforce in our state. Yet, women continuously fall behind in almost every measure of economic success. 

Last week Minnesota took a big step towards tackling these problems when Governor Dayton signed the Women’s Economic Security Act into law. And on Monday, Duluth City Councilors, organizational leaders and community members gathered at Duluth City Hall to celebrate the passage of the Women’s Economic Security Act and to call on policy makers to continue moving forward. That night the Duluth City Council unanimously adopted a resolution highlighting the work that still needs to be done including expanding earned sick time for working families.

But you and I both know that there’s more to be done. Now is the time to continue to fight for changes that improve the lives of women in Minnesot and allow all Minnesotans to thrive — not just survive.

Want to be a part of a conversation on what’s next? 

At TakeAction we are excited to be working with the Center for American Progress to bring a statewide summit on women and families economic security to Duluth on May 22nd. … Continue reading »

A big step forward for women and their families

Moms working three jobs to support their family. Women being passed over for a promotion because they’ve got kids at home. Men being paid more for the same job. 

We’ve heard these stories so many times, but this Mother’s Day, things changed as Governor Dayton signed the Women’s Economic Security Act into law — a huge step forward for Minnesota women and their families.

What does this mean?

• A big expansion to earned sick time! Employees can now use sick time to stay home with sick grandkids or in-laws and for “safety leave” for the purpose of providing or receiving assistance because of sexual assault, domestic abuse, or stalking — and if your employer penalizes you for using sick time, Minnesotans now have a way to get protections 
• New parents can now take 12 weeks of unpaid leave, up from 6 weeks, and employers now need to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees
• Better enforcement of equal pay laws
• No more discriminating against women in the workplace for being a mother
• Support for women dealing with the economic consequences of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault

These are just some of the provisions that will go into effect with the Women’s Economic Security Act.… Continue reading »

10 things you did to raise the wage

On this historic day, when Governor Dayton signed a minimum wage increase of $9.50 an hour, indexed to inflation, into law — let’s take a look back at the top 10 things members like you did to make this day possible.

1. Talked to our legislators in their districts, like these meetings with Senator Ann Rest in Robbinsdale and in Grand Rapids with Representatives Metsa, Melin, Radinovich, Persell, & Anzelc and Senators Tomassoni & Saxhaug

2. Attended our caucuses and conventions to talk to our neighbors and senators about raising the wage. (Our Grand Rapids Organizer said this Itasca County convention had 95% of delegates wearing raise the wage stickers before she ran out!)

3. Spoke up against a proposal to put a constitutional amendment on the 2014 ballot to index the wage — making it loud and clear that working families deserved a raise now, not a vote in November.

4. Made 6,000 calls to Minnesotans and sent nearly 2,000 emails to legislators.

5. Collected more than 6,000 petitions signatures with CREDO Mobilize.

6. Knocked on 2,000 doors to talk to working families about what raising the wage would mean to them.

7. Members like K’Shauna testified at legislative hearings to make sure that legislators heard from the working Minnesotans who will benefit from this increase.… Continue reading »

Lots to Love about Duluth

You know what I love about Duluth? The big lake iced over in the winter, my West Duluth neighborhood, walking the trail at the end of Park Point, the great music and beer made locally, the Farmer’s Market in the summer, and the hearty people that call Duluth home.

Even with so many good things about Duluth we still have major issues confronting our community. Problems so daunting that they seem impossible to solve. We have a city whose residents’ life expectancy varies by zipcode, we have some of the worst income disparities between people of color and white people, and we have many who are without affordable housing. Our minimum wage leaves people in poverty.

And as a woman, I’m keenly aware that women in particular are being left behind in this economy. Two out of three Minnesotans working minimum wage jobs are women, and families headed by women are more likely to live in poverty than families that aren’t.

These are big problems. Problems that need solving.

But that brings me right back to what I love about Duluth. The people. We have so many committed, caring people, leaders, and organizations working together to tackle these problems. We can’t do it alone.… Continue reading »

My Skin in the Game

In reality, when I am fighting with the Justice4All program, I am fighting for myself.

I am fighting for my right to not be complicit in policies that work in my favor but that threaten my peers of color. I am fighting against a system that has invisibly shaped much of my life – that has planted in me fear, ignorance, and disconnection; that has denied me the ability to tell the difference between a threat and a stereotype; that has structured my life in such a way that I possess a radically unfair share of resources and privilege while others are locked up and locked out. I have been taught my whole life that people of color, especially black men, are criminals. I am fed this information through the media, where I consume images of black men labeled as thugs; I learn this when, from the back of the car, I hear the lock click as my white family travels through a black neighborhood; and I am supposed to understand that because more black men are locked away, it means that more black men break the law. But from my own experience, I know this isn’t true. Instead, I know that there is a double standard that benefits white people by constantly giving them the benefit of the doubt, and punishes black people by constantly denying their innocence.… Continue reading »

Marching with single moms

Earlier today, 100+ Minnesotans braved the cold to march with single moms and ask Wal-Mart to support policies that will lift Minnesota women out of poverty. We heard from women who were fired for being sick and who struggle to make ends meet working low-wage jobs.

They’re not an anomaly. Two out of three low-wage workers are women. Female headed families are four times more likely to be in poverty. And on and on.

So although I couldn’t feel my fingers or my toes, it felt worth it marching behind this single mom and her son.

Our kids’ moms deserve to be paid a living wage. Minnesota kids deserve to have their parents home with them when they’re sick without fear of losing their jobs. And Minnesota women deserve to equal pay for equal work.

Representative Carly Melin and Senator Sandy Pappas have put forward a bill that would tackle all these issues at once. Elizabeth in our office started a petition on CREDO Mobilize to back them up — will you add your name?

 … Continue reading »

Off and running

Last weekend hundreds of Minnesotans gathered in St. Paul and watched online as we elected our board of directors, kicked off a bold agenda for change in 2014, dreamed big together, and just had some plain old fun at our carnival.

See the beautiful mural below built from people’s dreams for our state and our families, then say you’re in for what’s next.

… Continue reading »

VIDEO: Saturday, February 15 — 2014 Annual Meeting Livestream

Our 2014 Annual Meeting & Progressive Carnival is this Saturday, February 15th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Central High School  Hundreds of Minnesotans will gather to launch TakeAction’s work for the year and to dream big about the change we want to see in our state in the long term — and we hope that you’ll join us (get the details here).

But if the drive is too far or you can’t get away from the house, we still want you to be a part of the day. Watch live on this page from your home starting at 11:00 a.m. this Saturday.

You’ll join a program in three acts. We’ll remember parts of our state’s progressive history and the people whose shoulders we stand on. We’ll talk about how we win by building relationships and partnerships, and why it matters that we shape the stories that get told about us. We’ll also explore what it takes to build the Minnesota we want — winning elections, winning campaigns, investing in our movement, and dreaming big together.

The program will start at 11:00 a.m. — hit play below to start watching, and then join the conversation on Twitter by tweeting @TakeActionMN with hashtags #ForwardTogether and #TAMN. … Continue reading »

VIDEO: Boring Meetings Protest

Breaking! A group of tiny protesters has taken over our office in advance of our 2014 Annual Meeting in protest of boring meetings. Head below the fold to watch what happens:

(And then join us on February 15th at St. Paul Central High School for what promises to be a non-boring meeting.)… Continue reading »

For my Grandma Hickman

One of my biggest heroines is a woman I do not remember meeting.

My great grandmother Hickman, born less than 70 years after slavery was “officially abolished,” grew up as a servant but was treated as a slave. I am told she was a wise woman who loved with all her heart. I grew up hearing stories of her doing back breaking work in the plantation fields of Alabama. She died when I was barely walking but I have idolized her all my life.

Hearing those stories, I always have had a sense of pride in my roots; pride that my people have been struggling for a very long time but we have continued to survive and figure out ways to strive. When I am asked “why I do what I do”, it always has been about my family’s history of struggle for dignity. I constantly remind myself that I am not alone, that I stand on the shoulders of warriors in a long battle for justice.

My favorite Grandma Hickman story is of her time breast feeding the babies on the plantation. She told my mom that she would breast feed the babies of the white and black “servants.”… Continue reading »

Wear your heart on your sleeve

I’m not exactly a fashion person. I wore the same pair of shorts every day in third grade.[1] I wear jeans until they are literally falling apart. The closest I get to Avant-garde is watching Project Runway reruns.[2]

But, I do love a good t-shirt. 

Growing up, I had some real classics:

One with all the letters of the alphabet next to an animal whose name begins with that letter.

One with the Ben and Jerry’s cow that that matched those favorite green shorts perfectly.[3]

A number of tye-dyed ones I’d made myself at camp or birthday parties.

One that promoted the World Lumberjack Days in Hayward, Wisconsin.[4]

A really awesome one from the North Carolina zoo that compared the head sizes of the Indian elephant and the African elephant.

Long story short, I’m kind of a t-shirt aficionado.

That’s just one reason I’m so pumped about the progressive carnival at TakeAction’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, February 15th. We’re going to screen print our own progressive t-shirts!

We’ll have 100 t-shirts for the first 100 folks who want to screen-print. After that, we’ll have poster paper to make your own poster. We’ll have a bunch of different patterns to choose from, and you’ll be able to mix and match.… Continue reading »

Happy birthday to you!

We’re eight!

From the “Cover All Kids” healthcare victory in 2009, restoring funding to GAMC in 2010, defeating the photo ID amendment in 2012, to all that was won in 2013 (and everything in between!) — it’s been a great 8 years. Again and again, your action has made the impossible, possible.

Have ideas about what could happen in the next eight? Join us for Forward Together: 2014 Annual Meeting & Progressive Carnival on Saturday, February 15!

… Continue reading »

Supersized

Dolores, one of our members, came in last night with a new gift from her grandson…we don’t think any one will be able to miss her new “button”!

… Continue reading »

Help Getting Health Care

Earlier this year, I couldn’t wait for October 1st when finally we could stop talking about what the ACA might mean for people, and people could start seeing for themselves.

Unfortunately, as we all know, that period of uncertainty has continued a little longer than we expected for many people, because of challenges getting through MNsure, Healthcare.gov, and exchanges around the country.

But there’s a new tool that can help answer those questions for Minnesotans, and your friends and family around the country.

Raise your hand if someone you know has asked a question, posted on facebook, lobbed a tweet, complained or otherwise let you know that they just haven’t been able to figure out what’s out there for them? Raise your other hand if you haven’t been able to figure out what’s out there for you! (And then give your arms a good shake – this waiting and wondering is stressful)

There’s good news.

1) This great new tool takes just a minute to give you a really good idea of what you may qualify for when you complete an application on MNsure. It’s a calculator from Get Covered America and they’ve just updated it with all the great Minnesota-made programs like the rates of private plans on MNsure, MinnesotaCare, and expanded Medical Assistance for kids and pregnant women.… Continue reading »

13 Best Photos of 2013

From January to December, see some of the best shots of the action that made big change possible in 2013.

1. We kicked off the year at our Annual Meeting making plans, and asking the legislature to expand and improve MinnesotaCare.

2. In February, we braved the cold with Representative Ray Dehn and the NAACP to file 10 complaints with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission regarding Target’s hiring practices.

3. The next week hundreds of us stood outside Target Headquarters and asked them to be a leader in closing Minnesota’s worst-in-the-nation racial jobs gap.

4. In March we visited Wells Fargo to shine a spotlight on corporate tax loopholes.

5. We celebrated Minnesota’s new health exchange, and thanked champions like Senator Al Franken for making it possible.

6. In May, we hit the Capitol to ask legislators to ask the wealthiest in our state to pay their fair share in taxes.

7. In June we traveled to Denver with Representative Ray Dehn, ISAIAH, and CTUL for Target’s shareholder meeting.

8. Our members met with Governor Dayton to talk about making our state a place where all Minnesotans can thrive.

9. August isn’t complete without a visit to the State Fair!… Continue reading »