Minnesota Selected to Join the New Supporting Student Success Initiative
Minnesota was one of five states selected to take part in the Supporting Student Success initiative, a joint effort of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), and the National Governor’s Association’s (NGA) Center for Best Practices.  The project is made possible with support from the C.S. Mott Foundation. 

Youth Community Connections submitted Minnesota’s application which aims to develop a framework outlining strategies to align formal and non-formal learning practices and policies.  This is a great opportunity to anchor the importance of non-formal learning opportunities in the non-school hours as a way of supporting student success and preparing them for their future.

2009 Legislative Session Summary

As mandated by the constitution, the 2009 Legislative Session ended at midnight on May 18th.  The Legislature is not expected to meet again until February 2010.  Unfortunately, the Legislature and Governor were unable to reach a compromise in solving the state’s massive budget deficits this year.  At the end of the session there was still a $2.7 billion dollar budget deficit that needed to be balanced.  The Legislature proposed various tax increases to mitigate steep cuts.  These proposals were vetoed by the Governor who has vowed to resolve the budget deficit through the power of the line-item veto and through the unallotment process after the start of the new fiscal year, July 1, 2009.  Click here to read a longer summary of the 2009 Legislative Session.

StarTribune - Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota
Business Forum - Monday, April 13, 2008

 AFTER-SCHOOL LEARNING KEY PART OF THE FUTURE WORKFORCE ~By CHUCK SLOCUM

For most in the business community, education is recognized as the key to a productive workforce.

Early learning, K-12, higher education, continuing education and “lifelong learning” are now a comfortable part of the vocabulary of many business leaders who are facing 21st century global challenges.

Now after-school learning, and the role that it can play in workforce preparation, is likely to be included in future plans.

When pollsters from Lake Research Partners and the Tarrance Group surveyed a statistically valid sample of about 1,200 likely U.S. voters in November, they found remarkable consensus on the subject known as “after-school.”  Eighty-three percent agreed that very young children all the way through their teen years should have “organized activity and a safe place to go after school every day.” Large majorities of all races, ages and geographic regions as well as both parents and non parents strongly agreed.

Even as economy worsened, 76 percent of those surveyed said that federal, state and local taxpayers must “increase funding for after-school programs.”

These results were shared at “The National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks” in Clearwater Beach, Fla. in January, where 38 states, including Minnesota, were represented.

The meeting was sponsored by the Flint, Michigan based Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.   Attendees included about 300 leaders from education, youth and community based programs, law enforcement, federal, state and local program managers, policymakers, foundations and business.

Over the last century, the notion of “after school” has quietly evolved from a form of charity to an essential educational opportunity for America’s children.  Today, there is an emerging consensus about the value of quality after-school care for children as the need for structured activities has captured the attention of parents — the vast majority of whom are in the workforce.

Afterschool summit

Due to global economic, technical and social changes, today’s young people will be living and working in a vastly different world than the one their parents and teachers experienced.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, working with the broadly based Minnesota Statewide Afterschool Alliance, convened a summit last May to pull together state leaders to focus attention on the need for high-quality after-school learning opportunities. School age Minnesotans, Pawlenty said, must be well prepared to participate in the economy and as responsible citizens.  “After-school activities engage young people with caring adults in meaningful and productive ways,” Pawlenty said, developing skills through various volunteer and community-service opportunities.

Research has found that school-age youngsters have nearly 2,000 hours of non-school time each year.  Through calculating the hours for after school, week end and summer vacations, young people have available in discretionary time the equivalent of a full-time job. 

In Minnesota, more than a third of our K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves every day.

The after-school opportunity, summit organizers argued, is to find productive and relevant learning and personal development experiences for all of Minnesota’s young people during their out-of-school time, when too many of them experience “learning loss.”

Leaders from Minnesota Chambers of Commerce are beginning to frame an initiative with after-school organizers, including the U’s Youth Community Connections and the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota.

Considering the changing demographics and upcoming “Baby Boomer” retirements, the development of “human capital” is the No. 1 business concern, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its Institute for a Competitive Workforce.

Additionally, business requires workers who can read, write, speak and use basic math in doing their jobs.  Other qualities employers look for in future workers include a dependable work ethic; a self-starter; problem solver, creativity and teamwork.

Three of four entry level jobs now require a high school diploma and at least two additional years of schooling — a trend that will accelerate as more routine work is turned over to machines, according to the institute.

Federal leadership role

Among the allies in the after-school or out-of-school time effort is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through its Child Care Development Fund, begun during the Clinton administration, continued by President Bush and supported by the Obama administration, state profiles of resources have been developed. These contain effective tools to sustain quality in after-school efforts, and a technical assistance service so that state’s can better share their best practices.

Working parents and employers had best engage now in how the after-school movement continues to unfold in Minnesota and beyond.

Chuck Slocum (chuck@willistongroup.com) is president of The Williston Group, a management consulting firm.  His firm has worked on business engagement issues with Youth Community Connections, Minnesota’s Statewide Afterschool Alliance. 

SAVE THE DATES!
Check out these upcoming events!

April 17, 24, May 13 - "Connecting the Dots" - Adults Coming Together to Engage and Inspire Youth
This exciting event is for anyone who works with youth as part of their job, through volunteer efforts or as a career. The registration form and flyer has all the information necessary and may be reproduced and forwarded to all youth enthusiasts throughout Minnesota. It will be an exciting day of learning and sharing with colleagues across all youth interest areas.

May 1 - YCC's Bi-Annuall Meting - Youth Program Quality Research: National Findings and Local Implications - 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center, Memorial Hall, U of M, Minneapolis
Dr. Charles Smith, director of HighScope's Center for Youth Program Quality will present research findings on improving youth program quality. Youth Community Connections and the University of Minnesota Extension's Youth Work Institute are co-sponsoring this event. Attend this event in person OR view via a live web broadcast (morning session only)! This event is FREE and open to the public.

Meeting Objectives:
-Hear findings from national and Minnesota studies on youth program quality
-Understand implications for improving program quality
-Learn about funding streams that support out-of-school time programming
-Hear findings from Minnesota cost study and understand implications for quality improvement

CLICK HERE to register today!

May 8 - Howland Symposium - A European Perspective on Youth Work Concepts, Policies and Practices - PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE
The Howland Symposium is designed to bridge research and practice around critical youth development issues. It is hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension’s Center for Youth Development and made possible with funds from the Minnesota 4-H Foundation’s Howland Endowment.

Dr. Lasse Siurala, Director, Department of Youth, City of Helsinki
Non-formal learning has gained some political recognition in Europe and in the youth field. It is seen to have wide potentiality to contribute to social integration, to develop work-related skills, to increase social capital, to promote active citizenship and to enhance social change. However, despite this boost, non-formal learning is defined very differently across Europe and a shared understanding of its meaning is lacking. Furthermore, there is controversy over its relation to formal education. It is not agreed whether non-formal learning should be seen as a complementary, as an alternative or as an autonomous field of learning in relation to formal education. This presentation makes an effort to find clarity in the concept.

When:         May 8, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where:        McNamara Alumni Center, Memorial Hall, 200 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Cost:           FREE and open to the public

Register Today!


May 15 - YCC's Policy and Advocacy Committee meeting, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., Room CC 13 (Center A), Minnesota Department of Education, 1500 W. Highway 36, Roseville, MN. PLEASE NOTE DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Michael Messinger, 612.627.0157.

INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH PROGRAMS DEVELOPS NEW WEB SITE "FIND YOUTH INFO.GOV" DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING YOUTH PROGRAMS

FindYouthInfo.gov (http://www.findyouthinfo.gov/),  is a collaborative effort of 12 Federal Departments and Agencies developed out of a shared goal of strengthening community resources to support our Nation’s youth.  This site provides targeted information to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships plan and implement effective youth programs. 

FindYouthInfo.gov offers customized strategies and practical resources designed to help communities:
·        Build and sustain effective community partnerships
·        Generate maps of community resources
·        Develop evidence-based youth programs addressing risk and protective factors
·        Access up to date information on Federal programs, funding opportunities and youth-related issues

This Web site features many Federally-developed interactive tools to help users build quality partnerships within their communities and help America’s youth reach their full potential.  Online tools include social bookmarking, a calendar of events, news feeds, mapping tools, searchable youth program database, and much more. 

FindYouthInfo.gov will be continually updated with new features and enhancements.  Comments and suggestions on the site are appreciated, and can be submitted through the online Feedback Form.  Visitor feedback will be used to enhance the Web site in the coming months.

Visit FindYouthInfo.gov today and learn about all its great features, and sign up for e-blasts to stay abreast of the latest youth-related news and new site features. 

About The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs: The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP) includes members from:  the U.S. Departments of Agriculture; Commerce; Defense; Education; Health and Human Services (Chair); Housing and Urban Development; Justice (Vice-Chair); Labor; the Interior; and Transportation; the Corporation for National and Community Service; and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  Established February 7, 2008 by Executive Order 13459, Improving the Coordination and Effectiveness of Youth Programs, the IWGYP is responsible for promoting achievement of positive results for at risk youth.

Minnesota’s Youth Speak Up!
State Capitol Rally March 5 To Draw 400 Youth Statewide

MINNEAPOLIS – (March 2, 2009) More than 400 young people from schools and youth-serving organizations around the state will voice their concerns about the well being of youth in Minnesota at a Rally for Minnesota Youth on March 5 at the State Capitol in St. Paul.

“If current funding for youth services does not stay intact, we will lose quality youth programs, jobs and, most importantly, critical services that help youth stay on the right path for future success,” says Jessi Strinmoen, director of services, Minnesota Youth Intervention Programs Association and a member of the Minnesota Youth Policy Alliance. “Cutting services for our youth, in the midst of a recession, will most certainly lead to an increase in youth crime, which will place an even greater burden on taxpayers, families and communities. As the legislature and local governments work to address the immediate budget crisis, we hope they don’t eliminate resources that keep communities strong and vibrant.  Children and youth need a safe place to call home, caring adults, and learning opportunities outside the school day that keep them engaged in their community in meaningful ways, ready to enter the workforce or go on to post secondary education.” 
           
Youth will flood the capital to urge lawmakers to ensure that critical programs serving at-risk young people remain fully funded and accessible, despite the current state budgetary shortfall. A dramatic “All Youth Deserve A Chance” rally will take place in the Capitol Rotunda, beginning at 12:30 p.m., when young people and a number of supportive state and civic leaders gather for an hour-long celebration of Minnesota youth services. The rally will include a “Youth Shout-Out” and an inspirational unveiling of a giant American flag formed as 60 red, white, and blue banners are unfurled from the balcony of the Capitol rotunda by youth participants, as well as high-energy entertainment and remarks by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and several legislative leaders.

But young people will also make their case for continued support through dozens of individual meetings with their legislative leaders in their offices that day. And many will participate in educational workshops, entitled “Government 101: How Bills Are Made Into Laws…Or Not!”.

Minnesota has made excellent progress in recent years by expanding programs to help youth in areas such as homelessness, mentoring, out-of-school time, workforce development and youth intervention, says Strinmoen. “It would be especially tragic if now, when these types of programs are most needed, state funding was reduced for them.”
Children and youth who have the fundamental resources of caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education, and opportunities to serve are 5 to 10 times more likely to succeed as students, citizens, parents and employees. A groundbreaking 2007 Wilder Research/University of Minnesota study of mentoring and early youth intervention programs reported returns of $2.72 and $4.89, respectively, for every $1 invested in these services. The Youth Policy Alliance believes that investing in Minnesota youth is part of the solution to the long-term budget concerns of this state.

“Minnesota is a great place for kids, but some kids aren’t fully sharing all that the state has to offer them,” says Strinmoen. “Just like adults, youth need early intervention, job opportunities, mentors, engaging learning opportunities out of school and in the summer and safe housing. Current studies tell us that more than 1,700 youth are on our streets trying to survive all by themselves, for example. All of our youth need a safe place to live, supportive people in their lives, and opportunities to develop into good citizens.”

Jeremiah Luckett will be among the youth at the rally to share his story.  A 16-year-old from Minnetonka High School, Jeremiah lives with guardians other than his parents.  His life really began to open up to new possibilities when he connected with a mentor through Minneapolis-based Bolder Options. “Before I had a mentor, I wasn’t excited about the future, didn’t think of any events as special, and was just living day by day without hope for the future,” Jeremiah says.  “Now, I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with my life – thinking about college, where I want to go, and how I can be a positive role model in my community.” 
               
 “Honestly, I didn’t have any role models to look up to while I was growing up, and I’d like to change that, Jeremiah adds. “By supporting mentoring, you’re helping the future.  I’m a perfect example of a person whose perspective has changed because someone cared about where I would end up in life.”

Along with youth, Strinmoen said nonprofit organizations will also be sharing their concerns with legislators and advocating greater investment in early youth intervention, mentoring, out-of-school time, youth workforce development programs, and ending youth homelessness. 

Rally Sponsors
The All Youth Deserve A Chance capitol rally is sponsored by youth-serving organizations, including the Minnesota Alliance With Youth, the Minnesota Workforce Council Association, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Youth Community Connections, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Youth Intervention Programs Association with support for the Youth Policy Alliance from the McKnight Foundation. 

The Afterschool Formula: Bringing It All Together
Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education
November 13, 2008
Ramada Inn Northwest 6900 Lakeland Avenue
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

It was great to see so many of you at our bi-annual meeting on November 13th. Thank you for attending!

Click on the links below to view materials from each session.

YCC Policy Work: ADVOCATING FOR AFTERSCHOOL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES - Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn, Youth Community Connections

Session A: BUILDING EFFECTIVE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS - Corporate Voices for Working Families (Linda Roundtree, Jennifer Weber)
Afterschool Toolkits and other resources developed by Corporate Voices for Working Families are available online free-of-charge to help afterschool advocates - local providers or statewide networks - navigate the business world and form lasting partnerships. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Corporate Voices represents the private sector on public policy issues involving working families and facilitates research in the areas of workforce readiness (afterschool, early childhood education and youth transitions), family economic stability and workplace flexibility. Collectively its 50 partner companies, with annual net revenues of more than $1 trillion, employ more than 4 million individuals throughout all 50 states.

Session B: AFTERSCHOOL COST STUDY - Jack Tamble, Chair, Youth Community Connections' Strategic Leadership Team

EXPLORING THE COSTS OF OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS IN MINNESOTA - Executive Summary

Session C: EXPLORING SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME OPPORTUNITIES IN MINNESOTA - Ann Lochner, University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Youth Development

Session D: ADVOCATING FOR AFTERSCHOOL - Michael Messinger, Youth Community Connections

Branches of Minnesota Government
Heckman
How a Bill Becomes a Law - MN - Part I
How a Bill Becomes a Law - MN - Part 2
Message Triangle
Vandell
YCC Afterschool Messages
Workforce Development
STEM
Quality Matters in Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs
Summer Learning

Session E: TAPPING INTO THE POWER OF YOUTH: YOUTH ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES - Beki Saito and Terri Sullivan, University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Youth Development

Session F: PROMOTING QUALITY PROGRAMMING IN AFTERSCHOOL - Joyce Walker, Deborah Moore, University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Youth Development, Youthwork Institute

The Summer Gap - Washington Post, August 28, 2008

Poor children shouldn't return to school already behind.

Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins Provides Parents Tips for
Helping Kids Avoid “Summer Slide” in Learning

School’s almost out! But parents: Don’t let your kids’ brains take a vacation.

Research shows that most students fall more than two months behind in math over the summer, and low-income children fall behind two months in reading while middle-income kids make slight gains. Johns Hopkins University researchers recently found that 65 percent of the achievement gap between poor and more advantaged children is due to unequal summer learning experiences during elementary school years. A recent Ohio State University study shows children also gain as much weight during the summer as they do during the entire school year. The problem is worse for African-American and Hispanic kids, and for those already overweight.

“Parents always say summer is the hardest time to make sure their kids have productive things to do,” says Ron Fairchild, executive director of the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University. “Summer should be fun and memorable, but parents shouldn’t let it be a break from learning. High-quality summer learning opportunities are fun and engaging for kids, while keeping them healthy, safe and on track in school.”

SUMMER LEARNING TIPS:
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO KEEP KIDS SHARP OVER THE SUMMER

• Locate a summer program. High-quality summer camps and programs exist in almost every price range. Camps offered by schools, recreation centers, universities, and community-based organizations often have an educational or enrichment focus.

• Visit the library. Find out what interests your child and select books on that subject. Participate in free library summer programs and make time to read every day.

• Take educational trips. These can be low-cost visits to parks, museums, zoos and nature centers. Plan vacations with educational themes.

• Practice math daily. Measure items around the house or yard. Track daily temperatures. Add and subtract at the grocery store. Learn fractions while cooking.

• Play outside. Limit TV and video game time during summer, just as during the school year. Intense physical activity and exercise contribute to healthy development.

• Do good deeds. Students learn better and “act out” less when they participate in activities that help them develop emotionally, such as community service.

• Keep a schedule. Continue daily routines during the summer with structure and limits. The key is providing a balance and keeping kids engaged.

• Prepare for fall. Find out what your child will be learning during the next school year by talking with teachers at that grade level. Preview concepts and materials over the summer.

What Parents Should Look for in Quality Summer Programs:
• Low student-to-staff ratios.
• Positive interaction between kids and caring adults.
• High-interest, engaging activities.
• Balanced programming with daily opportunities for reading, math, enrichment and recreation.
• A safe, structured learning environment.

Full Press Advisories can be found at the following Links:
Keeping Kids Sharp to Avoid "Summer Slide" (Media Advisory)
Keeping Kids Sharp to Avoid "Summer Slide" (Press Release)

Summer Learning Opportunities in Minnesota
Parents and youth will find summer learning opportunities at several locations in their communities. Below is a list of resources available to families across the state – please note this list is not intended to be exhaustive but rather give examples of statewide offerings.

• Community Education Programs (usually found through school district websites)
• Park and Recreation Programs, which includes a variety of sports, arts, language and enrichment opportunities (usually found through city and county websites)
• 4-H Urban and Statewide Clubs (can be found at the University of Minnesota Extension’s Center for 4-H and Community Youth Development Webpage)
• Campfire USA – MN, has several programs and camps for girls and boys
• Boys and Girls Clubs, provide a variety of programming through the summer and school year
• YMCAs, provide programs for school age youth and older youth
• YWCAs, provides programs for school age youth and older youth
• Science Museum of Minnesota
• Theater and Arts Programs

The Minnesota Minority Education Partnership (MMEP) has compiled a list of summer learning opportunities. This resource is available on their website: http://www.mmep.net/Order_form_for_Summer_Enrichment_Guide.html

AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE NEWS RELEASE: May 14, 2008
CONTACT: Gretchen Wright – 202/371-1999

St. Paul Mayor Christopher Coleman Honored as an Afterschool Champion in Nation’s Capital

Parents, Educators, Students, Afterschool Leaders, City and State Leaders Urge Congress to Reject Proposed Funding Cut

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Afterschool Alliance today honored St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman for his support for afterschool programs at the “Breakfast of Champions,” a gala event in Washington, D.C. Mayor Coleman was one of 17 individuals and four organizations honored for their tireless work on behalf of afterschool programs. He was nominated by Youth Community Connections, Minnesota’s Statewide Afterschool Alliance.

Mayor Coleman has made afterschool programming a priority in St. Paul. He is working to ensure that the City helps to meet families’ needs by organizing out-of-school programming and partnering with youth programs across St. Paul. Mayor Coleman has also expanded the public transportation system to offer free rides to young people to afterschool programs and other locations that provide learning opportunities.

The “Breakfast of Champions” is part of the seventh annual Afterschool for All Challenge which brings together hundreds of parents, educators, children, program directors and advocates from around the country for a series of events and meetings with Members of Congress. The 2008 Challenge is co-sponsored by the National League of Cities and the Afterschool Alliance. Following the “Breakfast,” the advocates fanned out across Capitol Hill for meetings with their U.S. Senators and Representatives, and congressional staff.

“Parents, children and communities rely on afterschool programs to keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “But federal funding isn’t keeping up with the demand for afterschool, and President Bush proposes to cut federal afterschool funding even further. We’re in our nation’s capital this week to honor afterschool champions and remind lawmakers that these cuts are short-sighted and counterproductive. All kids need the opportunities that afterschool programs provide. Bipartisan support in Congress defeated the last proposed cut to afterschool programs, and we are seeking bipartisan support again this year so we can counter the President’s proposal and bring quality afterschool programs to all children who need them.”

This year, President Bush proposed cutting the federal budget for afterschool programs by $281 million and converting the successful 21st Century Community Learning Centers afterschool initiative (21st CCLC) into a risky voucher system. If Congress agrees to his proposal, 300,000 students would lose access to afterschool programs.

Other state champions honored at the Afterschool for All Challenge are: Boise Mayor David Bieter; Columbia Mayor Bob Coble; Kacy Conley, YMCA of Central Maryland in Baltimore; Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey; Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell; Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson; Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice; U.S. Attorney Jim Letten of Louisiana; Charlotte City Council Member James Mitchell; Missouri State Representative Danie Moore; New York City Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development Jeanne Mullgrav; San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom; Linda Robinson, Kentucky Department of Education; New Hampshire State Senator Kathleen Sgambati; Maxine Quintana, Denver Mayor’s Office for Education and Children; and Pennsylvania State Representative Jake Wheatley.

The Afterschool Alliance and MetLife Foundation also presented the first-ever MetLife Afterschool Innovator Awards at the “Breakfast of Champions” to four organizations that have developed and implemented innovative afterschool practices. The awardees are profiled in Afterschool Innovations in Brief, a series of Issue Briefs developed by the Afterschool Alliance with funding from MetLife Foundation. They are: The After-School Corporation in New York; LA’s BEST in California; The Native Youth Club in South Dakota; and Lincoln Community Learning Centers in Nebraska.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

Afterschool Opportunities Summit will bring together youth advocates, Gov. Pawlenty and business leaders to support youth

Afterschool learning opportunities are critical for the 2,000 hours of discretionary non-school time that Minnesota youth have each year.

Minneapolis, Minn. (April 29, 2008)- A collaboration of afterschool advocates, state government and public safety officials, and business leaders will meet in Saint Paul at the Amherst . H. Wilder Foundation on Monday, May 1 to discuss greater support for youth afterschool. Governor Tim Pawlenty will preside over the Governor's Afterschool Opportunities Summit whos goal is to promote and support efforts that will ensure that all children and youth have access to high quality afterschool learning opportunities. The summit calls the public and private sectors together to support quality afterschool learning opportunities. Research has shown that youth who participate in afterschool learning opportunities have better attendance, higher academic performance, and more positive attitudes about school and learning.

"It is critical that government, nonprofit and private sector resources are leveraged to help support meaningful afterschool learning opportunities for Minnesota youth," says Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn, executive director of Youth Community Connections, Minnesota's Statewide Afterschool Alliance. Youth Community Connections provides "a table" for public and private organizations that support or funds youth development through afterschool learning programs. "Afterschool learning programs also help protect investments in early childhood education and serve as a critically important element of workforce development for the state's economy."

The Governor's Aftershool Opportunities Summit highlights leading Minnesota institutions involved in afterschool, education, public safety as well as business leadership. In addition to Governor Pawlenty, speakers at the summit will include The McKnight Foundation board chairperson Erika L. Binger, University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks, Mark.

Hugo Lopez, associate director of the Pew Hispanic Center , and Deborah Lowe Vandell of University of California, Irvine. Two key panels of local and state leaders will speak to the Call to Action and make commitments about how they can contribute to the overall goal.

Sponsors of the event include Governor Tim Pawlenty's Office, the National Governor's Association, The McKnight Foundation, the Minnesota Department of Education, the University of Minnesota, the Greater Twin Cities United Way and Youth Community Connections.

This event is not open to the public, however press access is possible. Contact Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn for event information at 612.627.0161 or laura@youthcommunityconnections.org.

Presidential Politics as Afterschool Activity - Maria Elena Baca, Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 23, 2008

Attention first-time voters: Anoka High School senior Anthony Maki is planning to attend his precinct caucus on Feb. 5, and he thinks you should, too.

On Wednesday, Maki organized and hosted a caucus primer for his classmates that was attended by representatives of several major candidates for president and the U.S. Senate, the League of Women Voters, the Democratic and Republican parties and a handful of media outlets.

About a month ago, Maki was raving to friends about the Iowa caucus. "'Why should we care?'" he recalled one of them asking. "'Why should anyone care?'"

Taken aback, Maki approached his teachers about organizing the forum. "I wanted to show other youth in the Twin Cities area that it is possible to change things in America," he said, "and how you do that is you get out and participate."

As their classmates left for home or after-school activities, about 30 students ambled into John Belpedio's classroom. The room was transfigured by signs bearing candidates' names. Maki opened the forum to laughter with the deadpanned announcement that he was "officially considering running for the high office of president of the United States." He walked his cohorts through a PowerPoint tutorial about the caucus process, from presidential preference to delegate selection and from resolutions to Robert's Rules of Order.

Elwyn Tinklenberg, a DFL candidate for the Sixth District U.S. House seat, spoke briefly to students before he was called to another obligation. Representatives speaking for presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Ron Paul and Senate candidates Mike Ciresi and Al Franken all appeared to be in their 20s and early 30s. Several incumbents, including Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Sixth District Rep. Michele Bachmann, declined to attend, as did representatives of the major Republican presidential hopefuls.

Speaking in styles ranging from personal testimonial to a "we're gonna win" stump speeches, each assured the students of their importance to the electoral system and their power make a difference. Afterward, most of the students headed out; a few hung around to speak one to one with the representatives. Ryan Franzman, a senior from Ramsey, said he's not planning to attend a precinct caucus but will wait to see who the front-runners are. "I'll be able to make a better decision," he said. His classmate Paul Foss disagreed. "I want to have some say into who is nominated," he said, "Better than leaving it to chance and voting for whoever ends up there."

How to reach young voters

Juniors Laura Lee and Katie Elsberry, both of Ramsey, attended the forum, even though they can't vote in November.

"I really like to stay on top of political issues," Lee said. "We can still go to the caucuses, we can still encourage our eligible classmates to vote."

Students also weighed in on the representatives' and their candidates' approaches to the campaign. How should candidates communicate with young voters?

"I think allowing young voters to form their own opinions and giving them the information without a bias, allowing them to make their own opinions without being preached to is important," said Elsberry.

David Sparer, a senior from Andover, agreed. "I like to know what they stand for," he said. "Personal testimonials are good, but they only go so far. I think it's just needing to know what the candidate wants to do and what they stand for. Just like voters of any age, he said, "we need to know what we're going to get out of a candidate."

Landfall Named One of the 100 Best Communities

Calender of Events

Youth Community Connections named for St. Paul's Mayor Chris Coleman's 2nd Shift Commission.
Press Release

University of Minnesota 's Commission on Out-of-School Time releases report.
Press Release