| Note from the Executive Director Fullness of Spring | | | |
It's the start of spring in Minnesota. The trees are budding, the crocuses are blooming, and migratory birds are returning. There seems to be a lot going on for people too. FNVW is involved with a number of amazing community events and workshop opportunities coming up in the weeks ahead. I invite you to take part! Read on for more information. With Revolutionary Love, Leah | | FNVW uses the principles and practices of nonviolence to transform conflict and to address the root causes of violence in our community. Your financial contributions move our mission forward! | | | | |
| Introducing New FNVW Board Members | | At the FNVW Annual Meeting last month, we appointed two extremely talented and passionate individuals to the FNVW Board of Directors. Please join us in welcoming them! | | | |
Mohamed Jama Mohamed Jama is a passionate advocate for community involvement and positive change. He has been actively engaged in political campaigns at various levels, aiming to create change within systems. Growing up in the culturally diverse neighborhood of South Minneapolis, he witnessed such challenges as unemployment, housing disparities, and limited access to healthcare. Mohamed sees Somali American youth in Minneapolis as champions of change who tirelessly work to improve their communities' image, foster better relationships with governments, and innovate solutions for crime prevention, education, and social justice. He credits his mother's teachings on selfless giving for his drive to actively shape a better future. | | | |
Nancy Stevens Nancy Stevens’ work as an HR leader, executive coach, and transformation and talent management consultant is grounded in over 30 years of Human Resources Leadership experience in multiple industries including health care, logistics, retail and wholesale, restaurant, consulting, manufacturing, real estate and non-profit. As a trusted partner, Nancy has been instrumental in the development of leaders and teams, enhanced organizational performance and inspired employee engagement, culture evolution and change. Nancy is married and has 6 children and grandchildren. She enjoys music, reading, animals and volunteering. | | | |
| Thank you to outgoing FNVW Board Member, Maria Musachio, for her service on the FNVW Board of Directors these past three years. Maria made tremendous contributions to FNVW's 2023-25 Strategic Plan. Her work as Board Secretary was instrumental in keeping the Board's work moving forward! | | | |
| FNVW Volunteer Appreciation Event April 18th | | | |
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, the FNVW staff invites you to a visit, a rousing game of FNVW trivia, and a bite of breakfast with us. FNVW would not exist without your awesome efforts and we want to celebrate that with you in person! When: April 18, 9-11 am Where: The FNVW Office 393 Dunlap Street, Suite 450 St Paul, MN 55104 Please RSVP to volunteer@fnvw.org | | | | |
| AVP-MN Basic Level Workshop for Ages 15-25 April 13-14 | | This workshop will provide an exceptional space for teens and young adults to practice conflict resolution and build community on the University of Minnesota's beautiful East Bank. | | | |
The two day in-person workshop schedule is: Saturday, April 13th, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm - lunch and dinner included Sunday, April 14th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - lunch included Workshop Location: Liberal Arts Engagement Hub Pillsbury Hall, Room 120 310 Pillsbury Drive SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 | | | | |
This workshop is open free of charge to all community members ages 15-25, regardless of previous experience. You do not need to be a University of Minnesota student to attend. Thank you to Hennepin County for making this possible! Youth participants who return for a later workshop will receive a $50 Visa gift card as a thank you. | | | |
| AVP-MN Basic Level Workshop for Youth May 4th and 5th | | | |
FNVW is now offering Alternatives to Violence Youth Workshops for youth ages 10-30! AVP youth participants will learn to resolve conflict nonviolently in community with one another, supported by facilitators who recognize the power young people have to create lasting change. | | | |
The two day in-person workshop schedule is: Saturday, May 4th, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm - lunch and dinner included Sunday, May 5th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - lunch included Workshop Location: The Hub for Nonviolence and Safety 2143 Lowry Ave N Minneapolis, MN 55412 Sign up here to reserve your spot | | | | |
This workshop is offered free of charge. Thank you to Hennepin County for making this possible! Participants who return for a later workshop will receive a $50 Visa gift card as a thank you. | | | |
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We Belong to Each Other Stories from Authors Stanley Kusunoki and Kao Kalia Yang In a wide-ranging discussion with host Jarren Dean Peterson, acclaimed authors Stanley Kusunoki and Kao Kalia Yang discuss the power art has to speak the truth and connect us to our shared humanity. They provide intimate examples of how their courageous storytelling has impacted their own and their audiences’ perspectives and lives. | | | | |
Stanley Kusunoki, whose Japanese American parents were incarcerated in the U.S. internment camps during World War II, is the author of three collections of poetry; 180 Days, Reflections and Observations of a Teacher; Items in the News; and Shelter in Place—Poems in a Time of COVID-19. He has taught creative writing to young people through programs at The Loft, Asian American Renaissance, Intermedia Arts, and S.A.S.E., Among his honors, he was awarded a MN State Arts board "Cultural Collaboration" grant to create, write and perform "Beringia-The Land Bridge Project" with Ojibwe performance poet, Jamison Mahto at Intermedia Arts. He is the co-host/curator of the Literary Bridges reading series at Next Chapter Booksellers in St. Paul. He most recently was the High Potential Coordinator at Red Oak Elementary School in Shakopee. | | | |
Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong American teacher, speaker, and writer. She is the award-winning author of the memoirs, The Latehomecomer, The Song Poet, Somewhere in the Unknown World, and Where Rivers Part. Yang co-edited the groundbreaking book, What God is Honored Here?: Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss By and For Native Women and Women of Color. Yang is a librettist for The Song Poet Opera (commissioned by the MN Opera). She's also written several children’s books that center around Hmong children who live in our world, who dream and hurt and hope in it. Yang’s work has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Chautauqua Prize, the PEN USA literary awards, the Dayton’s Literary Peace Prize, as Notable Books by the American Library Association, Kirkus Best Books of the Year, the Heartland Bookseller’s Award, and garnered four Minnesota Book Awards. | | | |
Additional information is available on their respective websites: poeteacher.com and kaokaliayang.com This episode was hosted by Jarren Peterson Dean and produced by Charlotte Sebastian, with editing by Laurel Osterkamp and audio engineering by PJ Hoffman. Music generously donated by Bensound.com. | | | | |
| We are thrilled to share that this episode of the Everyday Nonviolence Podcast was broadcast on Northern Spirit radio's Spirit in Action show on March 30, 2024! | | | NSR promotes world healing by broadcasting inspirational and educational voices of peace and social justice using the language of personal story, music, and spirituality. | | | |
| Minnesota Women's Press & Changemakers Alliance 39 Years of Voice and Vision April 13th | | | |
The Minnesota Women’s Press will be commemorating 39 Years of Voice & Vision on April 13. FNVW is excited to be a part of the steering committee for this event. Festivities include storytelling from diverse, Minnesota voices, such as Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) facilitators. Email leah@fnvw.org if you'd like to attend as a guest of FNVW! WHO: Changemakers Alliance Badass members, event sponsors, and their invited guests WHERE: First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, 900 Mt. Curve Ave., 55403 [directions, parking, bus] WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 12-4pm, including live-stream, light food and drinks, tables of insights and products. | | | | |
| Mediation and Restorative Services - 2024 Annual Summit Rebuilding Community - Developing Alternative Ways to Resolve Conflict | | | |
FNVW is excited to be attending Mediation and Restorative Services - MN's upcoming annual summit on April 25th! The focus for the day is on Developing Alternative Ways to Resolve Conflict. The event will be held at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids and will include timely topics in conflict resolution, mediation, and restorative practice. Tickets are available at: https://aesbid.com/ELP/MARS23/Tickets. We hope to see you there! | | | |