In this MinnPost article, NAZ CEO Sondra Samuels and Ramsey County Commissioner Nicole Frethem urge the Minnesota Legislature to make the most of an unprecedented state budget surplus to invest in systemic changes to Minnesota’s early care and education systems. They advocate for providing the infrastructure to make progress toward affordable, accessible and high-quality early care and education for every Minnesota child.
Author: n0rtH5Id3
Kids in Crisis | MN day treatment providers join forces to seek help as waitlists for youth services grow
CEO Tom Steinmetz of The Washburn Center for Children (a NAZ Anchor Partner) talked with Kare 11 about the day treatment options for kids and families in search of stability during a mental health crisis. “Each day, there are about 60 kids who are coming to us from all over Minneapolis,” said Washburn CEO Tom Steinmetz. “Why day treatment is so unique and so important is it provides this intensive therapeutic support in a group setting, while the kid can still keep going to school and stay with their family.”
North Minneapolis leaders, kids work to heal from recent trauma
CEO Sondra Samuels and NAZ Director of Community Wellness, Jaton White, discussed with KSTP how kids are working to heal from the trauma occurring across North Minneapolis. They shared the resources that NAZ can provide scholars and their families when dealing with things like community violence, educational issues like the recent teacher strike, and other challenges.
Successful school beating the odds in north Minneapolis
NAZ Anchor Partner Ascension Catholic School was featured by Fox 9, discussing their high track record for success. “‘ There’s a piece that we don’t talk a lot about, and that’s the belief gap,’ said Principal Benito Matias. ‘That both have to do with scholars believing in their own ability to achieve as well as we, the adults believing in their ability to achieve.’”
Addressing Detrimental Impacts on Students in a Post-COVID World
The consequences of the pandemic on students’ health and learning are profound and not yet fully understood. NAZ’s Director of Evaluation, Amy Susman-Stillman penned an Op-Ed and asks educators, parents and policymakers to make changes in the educational system that will benefit all students, and particularly low-income scholars and students of color.
Read the piece here: https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2021/05/post-covid-bold-actions-must-address-detrimental-impacts-on-students/
Sondra Samuels Calls for Racial Justice on CNN
“Our children are the ones who are suffering the most…they are dealing with trauma…they are looking to the adults to protect them. And it’s something we’ve all failed to do.”
Watch this plea for racial justice for America’s children from Sondra Samuels as she speaks with Poppy Harlow of CNN.
Community leaders react as we wait for the Chauvin verdict
MPR | April 20, 2021
It’s a tense week in Minnesota.
Protests are ongoing after the killing of Daunte Wright. Some journalists covering those protests have been brutalized by police. And National Guard troops patrol the streets in Minneapolis as we wait for a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.
For some Minnesotans, the last year has been disorienting. Our state is making headlines as a great place to live — unless you’re Black. For others, the trauma of police violence triggers a fresh wave of grief.
Tuesday morning, MPR News host Kerri Miller invited two wise guests to discuss and opened the phone lines to hear from the community about how we are reacting to this moment, and how we might grieve, hope and heal together.
Education constitutional amendment is our best shot at racial equity
Minnesota Reformer | April 20, 2021
by Sondra Samuels
The picture of Chauvin, a white man, on top of George Floyd, a Black man, is an apt metaphor for racial disparities in Minnesota. The disproportionate killing of Black men notwithstanding, these disparities prevail in wealth, health, income, homeownership, incarceration, longevity, and education.
“Change Has to Come From a Place”: Inside the Northside Achievement Zone
Not long after she moved to north Minneapolis more than 20 years ago, Sondra Samuels began working alongside families to erase generational poverty and close the opportunity gap between Black and white Minnesotans that has persisted for so long. And she’s been doing it ever since. Read more…
Two Minnesotas: Interview with Jaton White on WCCO
A new survey finds Minneapolis and St. Paul among the worst places for black Americans to call home.