This month, we’re filled with gratitude. Our community allows us to have an impact beyond what we could do alone. From directing our work via pledge cards to volunteering to help us get young people out to vote, you strengthen our work beyond measure. Thank you for making our work possible! 

As we spend December reflecting on 2021 and planning for 2022, we wanted to share a little bit more about our impact this year, and what we hope to do moving forward.

This year, we were deeply involved in local elections, as well as our ongoing work organizing trainings for young Minnesotans. Throughout the year, we were proud to use our expertise in organizing to engage with young people statewide. Here is some of what we did this year:

• We ensured our staff and organizing fellows receive a living wage and benefits like health care.
• We hosted popular education events like our MNYC Reads conversation series, which uses relevant texts to discuss real-life issues like public safety and abolition.
• We collected a combined 10,333 signatures as part of the Housing Equity Now – St. Paul (HENS) coalition for rent stabilization and the Yes 4 Minneapolis (Y4M) coalition for a Department of Public Safety.
• We provided well-researched and detailed materials like our 2021 Voter Guide to help young people in Minnesota engage in electoral politics.

Moving into 2022, we have another set of ambitious goals we’re excited to undertake, including:

• Strengthen our community relationships through neighborhood-by-neighborhood organizing;
• Build our base outside of the Twin Cities, so we can provide more support to Greater Minnesotans;
• Establish and grow a volunteer program, so more people can participate in our work; and
• Refine our fellowship program to continue to provide organizing trainings and leadership development opportunities to young people through paid positions.

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We also want to take a moment to uplift other ways and organizations you can support this month. St. Paul Camps Support is a mutual aid coalition that directly supports the needs of our houseless neighbors in the Twin Cities through disbursement of donated funds. Their fund is critically low going into the cold winter months, and they would benefit from your support. Learn more about their work here, and donate via Venmo or Cashapp at @StpCampsHub.

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To close out 2021, we’re seeking to raise $2,500 from new monthly donors. A donation of any amount will get us closer to our goal! Monthly contributions from our base are investments into our communities and into MNYC’s ability to organize for policy and engagement that creates better living conditions for youth and Minnesotans at large. Will you become a monthly donor to the Minnesota Youth Collective? Donate now to sustain our work.

We can’t wait to see where 2022 goes — see you next year!