#cradle2career

What does it look like when students receive the opportunity to pursue their dreams? On a Tuesday night in South Minneapolis it looked like an auditorium filled past capacity to celebrate 51 teenagers on their way to college.

Families, mentors, teachers, and neighbors gathered at Urban Ventures to recognize the fifth year of Act Six cadres. These scholars are emerging leaders in their communities who received full-need four-year scholarships to one of six partner Minnesota colleges and universities. The Act Six program recognizes both the scholars’ contribution and their potential to change their neighborhood.

Laughter, tears of joy, smiles, and a near-tangible feeling of hope filled the room. Senior staff from their respective colleges congratulated each scholarship recipient. The students then stood before the large crowd to offer a brief word of thanks and aspiration.

“I want to be an example to the young girls in my neighborhood that they don’t have to settle for anything less than their dreams,” one scholar shared, “to show them women can be doctors and CEOs and engineers and leaders in our community.”

Another scholar told the crowd, “I am going to study psychology to work with children who have been abused and had their childhood stolen from them, to restore their peace.”

The 2019 class was as diverse in motivation as it was in heritage. Many students shared in both English and their native tongue, including Spanish, Thai, Hmong, and French. Some scholars shared their experience growing up in refugee camps, others described their struggles right here in the metro. They each spoke with pride and dignity about where they came from and where they are going. 

The students weren’t the only ones given a chance to share. The event concluded with “community shout-outs” where friends and family encouraged their college-bound loved ones.

A senior community member commented on their own experience breaking down educational barriers. “I want to say to each of you who are the first in your family to go to college, so was I. It was many years ago, and most people weren’t sure they wanted to take a chance on me. Thank God they did. And thank goodness you are getting the opportunity now, too.”

One mother beamed as she addressed her child. “We dreamed of this when we came to this country. Your father loves you, I love you, your siblings love you. We are so supportive of you and so proud of you.”

Act Six Program Manager Miriam Medina reminded the scholars that the hard work is just beginning. The program’s ongoing support, leadership training, and connection throughout the college experience comes with high expectations. “You are not here because you are finished products,” Miriam challenged them. “If you work hard we know you will be great leaders. Everyone here is supporting you and not settling for less than your best.”

The evening ended with hugs, congratulations, and cupcakes. Families mingled in the lobby, and students from past cadres greeted their new classmates. The evening was a wonderful culmination of a thorough process that filtered nearly 500 applicants down to the 51 recipients.

The Act Six program is a key part of Urban Ventures’ cradle-to-career pipeline, which provides holistic support for students and their families from birth to adulthood.

David is a walking, talking example of the transformation taking place in South Minneapolis. He remembers the brown vacant lot where the Colin Powell Center now sits. He recalls the run-down buildings on either side of Fourth Ave. He witnessed the violence and addiction that used to run rampant in the neighborhood. But, he chose a different path for himself, one of helping others, as he saw modeled at Urban Ventures.

When David was just 12 years old, he heard about the Hub, Urban Ventures’ youth center. It enthralled him and soon he was a regular presence. More than the skate park or peers, the compassionate staff and volunteers drew him in.

“Growing up in this neighborhood you didn’t expect support like this to be here,” he shares. “It was big for me to find somebody who cared, who would offer a listening ear.”

Both the neighborhood and life at home introduced plenty of challenges. “My mom worked hard, but raising six kids all by herself and working, it got to her. When you’re stretched thin, it makes your life stressful.”

The stretching led to breaking, and David found himself with no place to live and unsure who to call. He reached out to the one place he’d learned he could count on - Urban Ventures.

“I called my mentor, I was crying, I didn’t know where to go. He was on a date, but he came to get me. He brought his date with him and they picked me up.”

David’s mentor helped him find housing at a shelter and get the support he needed. “It took away the burden of ‘how do I pay for this’ and ‘where will I sleep tonight’ and let me focus on my school. I was so far behind, but graduated on time because I had the support I needed.”

Grateful for the support he was receiving, David wanted to pay it forward. An Urban Ventures staff member recalls, “Here’s this kid, living in a homeless shelter, who calls me up and says, ‘I want to help kids who have nothing this Christmas.’”

Soon, David was selling Urban Ventures coffee at his school, the local market, anywhere he and Urban Ventures staff could think of. He raised thousands of dollars and used it all to sponsor eight families that holiday season.

David lists Colin Powell among his inspirations, having had the opportunity to meet him when the Urban Ventures Colin Powell Center first opened. Years later, David would receive an “Emerging Leader” award from Colin Powell himself for his selfless work while living in the shelter.

Myrna came to Urban Ventures by way of a hard childhood-and a rodeo clown.

Life began in Mexico, born into a family who didn’t know how to care for their children. “When I was six years old I was sexually abused by my uncle,” Myrna shares. 

Her childhood – marred by abuse, alcoholism, and violence – is an all-too-common story among participants at Urban Ventures. 

But Myrna’s story is also marked by something else found in many participants: resilience. Myrna persevered, and worked to escape the trauma of her childhood through education. While studying journalism in college, she was sent to cover a local rodeo where she met one of the rodeo clowns. 

Friendship became love. Myrna and Cesar married, but her childhood trauma followed her. “All the things I was carrying... I was a bitter person. But I wanted better for my daughters. There were a lot of emotions at that time.”

As drug cartels warred, the violence neared Myrna’s home. After a friend’s 5-year-old was robbed at gunpoint, they knew it was time to leave. With a family connection in the Twin Cities, Minnesota became home.

Myrna wanted to grow and heal, but she didn’t know how. “How will I forgive people who hurt me like that?” 

A friend invited her to the parenting classes at Urban Ventures. She began to understand things like forgiveness, healthy relationships, and conflict resolution. More importantly, she found support to change. “If we didn’t have the support, we never would have experienced these good things.” 

Her eldest daughters began volunteering at Urban Ventures while Myrna and Cesar attended classes. The whole family saw the transformation taking place in Myrna’s life. One of her daughters shared, “You are a better person and a happier person. You treat us differently now!” 

Ever since her children were young, Myrna had prayed that they could attend great colleges. Privately, she even prayed specifically that Vivian, the eldest, could attend Bethel University, even though she knew it was financially out-of-reach. 

While looking at other schools they heard about a possible scholarship opportunity. What they didn’t know, until they showed up for the meeting, was that it was also an Urban Ventures program. Vivian applied for and received an Urban Ventures Act Six scholarship…to the first cadre at Bethel University! Another answered prayer.

Around this time, Myrna began to consider her own future. “I wanted a job where I could help other people. Where I could say, ‘I understand.’” The very next month, the phone rang. It was Franklin, director of Urban Ventures’ Center for Families. There was a job opening, and he felt she’d be the perfect fit. 

Since 2016, Myrna has served as Family Support Specialist for Siempre Padres. In that time, she has helped hundreds of families going through the same classes she attended. She’s been able to say, “I understand,” to countless individuals. Still, she considers herself the lucky one. “I get to keep going to the classes, and I am always learning something new.”

Meanwhile, Vivian recently graduated from Bethel and is pursuing her master’s degree. Myrna’s second daughter, Mariana, received the Act Six scholarship this spring and will begin at Augsburg in the fall. Both want to be teachers. “I want kids in my class, who feel like I did, to know they are not alone.” Mariana shared. When asked to sum up her experience with Urban Ventures, Myrna’s eyes light up.  “Urban Ventures for us, for my family, is the bridge that connects our dreams with God’s will. We are really blessed.” 

Yesterday, over 90 participants of Siempre Padres attended the DNR Latino Open House event.

Families learned about nature from a DNR expert, were educated about Minnesota State Parks and Trails, and acquired general fishing information. At least 8 families obtained their fishing licenses yesterday and more will consider getting one in the future.

Our desire is for families to spend quality time together, and what better way to do this than enjoying nature! Minnesota has a lot to offer and our immigrant families are now more informed on how to access these services and opportunities.

Thanks to a grant from the DNR, Siempre Padres will be taking a family trip to William O'Brien State Park on Saturday, May 18th.

PS: We were excited to have one of our previous participants, Janet, hired to cater the event!  

Hello All,

This past Saturday, Center for Families- Siempre Padres hosted a beautiful couples retreat event.

13 Siempre Padres couples attended a 5-hour workshop where they learned how to build a strong and solid relationship as well as strengthening their commitment with each other.

Highlights of the event included a romantic lunch for couples and a special moment where couples renewed their vows.

During the same time, Jenny and the volunteers provided a structured program filled with many fun activities for the 30 children in attendance.

We want to thank all of the volunteers and facilitators that helped out and made this event possible.

Thank you, Franklin

Hello everyone,

I want to give you a quick CFF children's programming update! 😊

Monday night and Wednesday night were a very special nights in which we were able to celebrate our wonderful CFF volunteers. Along with Marquise and our CFF team, a LARGE crowd of parents offered to stay after programming in order to personally thank our volunteers! Parents expressed their gratitude for this program where they able to not only grow themselves, but where their children enjoy coming and where they know their children will be learning and having fun in a safe environment with positive role models! It was a beautiful time to celebrate these incredible individuals who are dedicated to serving our students week after week!

As this semester is coming to a close, I have received numerous emails from volunteers reflecting on their experience. One volunteer stated:

"I cannot even begin to express how much I loved Urban Ventures. It was absolutely the highlight of my semester and I love the kids there so much. I hope that it works out for me to come back next year and help out as well… it has been so impactful on my life!"

It is encouraging to hear that not only are our volunteers impacting our students, but they are being impacted themselves! It has been a joy to watch these volunteers laugh with students, to share their stories and their faith with students, and to be there for them week after week as they developed relationships!

I hope you are encouraged by this email today! Have a FANTASTIC weekend!

Blessings,

Jenny

We recently celebrated twelve moms with their families who completed the 16-week “Me & My Baby!” program. The program helps expectant mothers prepare emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually for the arrival of their baby. 

The night included games, raffles, dinner and testimonies from participants. Below are a few quotes from some of the mothers.

“This program had helped me to learn how to do brain stimulation of my baby during my pregnancy, also helped me to learn techniques on how to manage my anxiety and stress, the yoga class and the depression class opened my eyes to see that it is normal to feel in the way that I felt but also they teach me how to take care of myself. This is my 3 child and I cannot believe how many new things I learned this time!”

- Juana P-

“I learned how to take care of my baby, how to identify when she is hungry and be ready for breastfeeding before she gets anxious and frustrated. Also, I learn how sensitive her brain is, how to hold her appropriate. when we had the class of shaking baby syndrome and they demonstrate to us who the baby brain moves when the baby is shaking become very clear to me how to care for him.”

- Rosa S -

Thank you to MEDICA and ECFE volunteers for helping to make the night a success. Here are some more pictures from the evening.