| Nonviolence in action since 1981 | | | | | Note from the Executive Director Restoration is Possible | | A couple weeks ago I shared that FNVW will soon begin coordinating Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops for youth! The more I explore the possibilities for this new endeavor, the more committed I become to making it happen, and happen well. The newest episode of FNVW's Everyday Nonviolence Podcast reinforces the importance of providing young people opportunities to learn from mistakes, repair harm and experience what it feels like to be part of a trusting community. That's exactly what AVP workshops are about. FNVW is taking a leap of faith that we'll be able to raise the $13,000 we need to fund a comprehensive 30 hour/week AVP-MN Adult and Youth Program Coordinator staff position. Please show your support for the AVP workshops that have transformed the lives of thousands of people by making a donation today. Any amount helps. With Revolutionary Love, Leah | | | | | | | Restorative Practices Coordinator, Angel Dawson | | | | Applying Restorative Practices in Schools Angel Dawson is a Licensed Autism Spectrum Disorder teacher and a Restorative Practices Coordinator for an Intermediate district in the Twin Cities metro area. She has over five years of experience facilitating trainings for restorative practices in Special Education. She is dedicated to connecting people for the betterment of educating the next generation of youth and addressing educational trauma. Angel speaks with host Jarren Peterson Dean about her passion for building community. She shares how restorative practices create racial equity in schools and support learning environments where staff and students can thrive. Additional information on restorative practices in Minnesota schools is available at: education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/safe/prac/ | | | | FNVW's Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops are grounded in restorative principles. Learn more about youth and adult AVP workshop opportunities in Minnesota and discover how to become an AVP workshop facilitator at: fnvw.org/avp 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're Hiring! Alternatives to Violence Project - MN Youth and Adult Program Coordinator | | | | Friends for a NonViolent World seeks a passionate and motivated individual to join our organization as the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) - MN Youth and Adult Program Coordinator. This dynamic role is responsible for the overall coordination of AVP-MN’s workshops and activities, working closely with the Executive Director and AVP-MN Council to expand the capacity and impact of our AVP program. The person in this position will receive AVP facilitator training through participation in AVP workshops and is encouraged to co-facilitate youth workshops as a part of their role. Help us spread the word: Share the featured post on our Facebook Page! Share this Instagram post to your Instagram story! | | | | The ideal candidate enjoys launching new initiatives, is skilled at organizing resources and people to make a positive impact, and cares deeply about the well-being of self and others – especially youth and incarcerated/formerly incarcerated members of our community. They will possess a unique blend of relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, and creative follow through. As the AVP-MN Youth and Adult Program Coordinator, you will have the opportunity to develop your own nonviolence skills while directly influencing the lives of young people, incarcerated individuals, and anyone seeking new ways to handle anger, deal with conflict, and develop healthy relationships. FNVW is eager to hire that special person who can build on our long standing AVP program and help realize its potential for growth in this moment when community-based violence prevention and trauma healing work is so critically needed. This is a part-time / 30 hours a week position with opportunities to facilitate youth workshops for additional weekend hours. | | | | HOW TO APPLY FNVW is a Quaker-inspired organization that welcomes people from all faith practices as well as individuals with no religious orientation. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as BIPOC, Indigenous or people of culture, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, people from working class backgrounds, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status and others who are members of marginalized communities. Please send a resume and cover letter to Leah Robshaw Robinson, Executive Director, at leah@fnvw.org. The cover letter should outline 1) Your relevant experience 2) Any unique skills or characteristics you bring to the role and 3) Any connections (personal or professional) you have to FNVW’s mission. The cover letter can be included in the body of the email or as a separate attachment. Interviews will begin the second week of September. Position open until filled. FNVW is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. | | | | | 👋 Welcome to our New Community Engagement Specialist! | | | | We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our team, Joan Hyman! Joan moved from the East Coast to the Twin Cities five years ago after living in NJ and MD. Joan joins FNVW after a career in eldercare and volunteer work in adult educational programming. She is a founder and member of the Antiracism Group at Mayim Rabim Congregation. She assisted in the passage of a national Reparations Resolution adopted by the (Jewish) Reconstructionist movement. Joan is the mother of two grown daughters and is excitedly expecting her first grandchild. She grows organic vegetables, fruits and flowers in her large garden, spends time with her lab-mix, Bubba, and paints in oils and acrylics. Joan can't wait to meet the volunteers that make FNVW vital and engage new folks to promote the FNVW’s vision of a world free from violence. Say hello to her at joan@fnvw.org | | | | | Registration is Open! Virtual September AVP Basic Workshop | | | | The Alternatives to Violence Project - Basic Level helps to develop primary conflict management skills using personal experiences, problem-solving techniques and experiential exercises. Discussion topics may include affirmation, communication, cooperation and creative conflict resolution. Participants who attend all three days of the workshop will receive Basic level certification at the end of the workshop. If you would like to take the workshop but have a scheduling conflict, please contact Maria at maria@fnvw.org to discuss options. | | | | The 3-day workshop schedule is: Friday, September 22, 6:00 - 9:00 pm (CT) Saturday, September 23, 8:30 am - 7:00 pm Sunday, September 24, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm *Sliding fee scale: $25 - $100 *We understand that not everyone may be able to afford this. No one is turned away due to lack of funds. Email leah@fnvw.org to request a scholarship. You will receive an information packet, including a Zoom link and everything else you need to know, in the week before the workshop. Learn more about AVP at: fnvw.org/avp | | | | | How We Win: Organizing for Environmental and Climate Justice With a panel conversation between George Lakey and local organizers Joe Vital and Nazir Kahn | | | | | From his first arrest in the Civil Rights era to his most recent during a climate justice march at the age of 83, George Lakey has committed his life to a mission of building a better world through movements for justice. Lakey's life and vast experience with nonviolent social change organizing reminds us how to find hope in even the darkest times through strategic, joyful activism. Through a panel conversation with local organizers, Lakey will guide us in an exploration of what it takes to organize successful campaigns that create environmental and climate justice in our community. Organizer Nazir Kahn will discuss the Minnesota Environmental Justice Table's campaign to shut down the HERC Trash Burner. Joe Vital will share insights from East Phillips Neighborhood Institute's campaign around the Rooftop Depot site. George Lakey will weave in lessons learned from campaigns he's organized and share stories from his involvement in struggles for peace, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, labor justice, and environmental and climate justice. This is an event not to be missed! | | Hosted by FNVW, MN Interfaith Power and Light, and Minneapolis Friends Meeting Go to: fnvw.org/georgelakey | | | | | Raise Much Need Funds to Support FNVW's Work Join the Walk for Peace & Justice Fundraiser | | | | Challenged by our experiences of violence across the Twin Cities in recent years, Friends for a NonViolent World (FNVW), in collaboration with Twin Cities Nonviolent and many other peace and justice groups, is organizing a large Walk for Peace and Justice on September 30th. Everyone is invited to attend this event which will instill hope in the future, hope in the power of the people, and hope for a peaceful and just future. Your contribution and/or participation will be a demonstration of your commitment to nonviolence and peace and justice in the Twin Cities and beyond. Don't miss this inspiring opportunity to raise funds to support FNVW's peace and justice work in our community. Sign up to walk or make a donation here. | | | | Kicking-off at Brackett Park in Minneapolis, we'll walk to the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge for a Hands Across the Mississippi Ceremony followed by food, music and speakers at the Danish American Center. In collaboration with Twin Cities Nonviolent, this event takes place on Day 10 of Twin Cities Nonviolent annual 12 Days Free from Violence. | | | | There are many ways to take part: | | | | | We invite all groups and organizations in Minnesota that promote nonviolence, peaceful conflict resolution and equitable justice to partner with us. Contact us at walk4peace@fnvw.org if you’d like more information or are interested in helping us plan the event. Find out more and register to participate here: fnvw.org/walk4peace | | | | | George Lakey Twin Cities Book Tour September 24-30 Hosted by Friends for a NonViolent World | | FNVW is organizing a variety of community events where George Lakey will share stories and wisdom from his life as a nonviolent activist. Mark your calendars and come ready to be energized and inspired! | | | | | | “George Lakey stands out for the sheer range of his contributions to peace and justice, especially in strategy, training, organizing, innovative actions, and teaching others. His upbeat, soul-driven spirit underlies it all, as you’ll catch in this revealing memoir.” – Daniel Ellsberg | | | | Sunday, September 24th How Nonviolent Campaigns Succeed in Polarized Times* 10:15 - 11:00 am Mpls Friends Meeting 4401 York Av S Minneapolis, MN 55410 *hybrid event Zoom Link Meeting ID: 863 8548 3136 Passcode: 629978 Sunday, September 24th Prophetic Quakerism Tackles the Climate Crisis 2:00 - 4:00 pm Twin Cities Friends Meeting 1725 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105 Tuesday, September 26th Dancing with History Bookstore Event 7:00 - 8:00 pm Magers and Quinn Booksellers 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55408 Wednesday, September 27th How We Win - Organizing for Environmental and Climate Justice* 7:00 - 8:30 pm Minneapolis Friends Meeting 4401 York Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55410 *hybrid event Zoom Link Meeting ID: 825 2369 0843 Passcode: 817454 Thursday, September 28th Intersectionality of Racial Justice and Solidarity Work 7:00 - 8:30 pm East Side Freedom Library 1105 Greenbrier St St. Paul, MN 55106 Saturday, September 30th FNVW Walk for Peace and Justice 10:00 am Brackett Park 3800 E 28th St Minneapolis, MN 55406 | | | DANCING WITH HISTORY: a life for peace and justice By George Lakey A memoir of a Quaker activist and master storyteller on his involvement in struggles for peace, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, labor justice, and environment. From his first arrest in the Civil Rights era to his most recent during a climate justice march at the age of 83, George Lakey has committed his life to a mission of building a better world through movements for justice. Lakey draws readers into the center of history-making events, telling often serious stories with playfulness and intimacy. Read more about it here. "One of the big things about George is his bottomless well of hope and optimism. He frankly says this is the best period for social change that he's been alive for, and feels excited about continuing with his activism at age 85." - Betsy Raasch-Gilman | | | | | | | | | FNVW works to promote and create peace and justice in our community by using the principles and practices of nonviolence to transform conflict and to address the root causes of violence. Your financial support will help us move our mission forward into the future! | | | | | | | | | | Friends for a NonViolent World P.O. Box 4564 | Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104 651-917-0383 | info@fnvw.org | | | | | | | | |