Online Series
https://www.youtube.com/@CommunitySolutions-ne2ll
Monthly zoom conversations with individual’s fighting for social justice which explore how to create inclusive, sustainable, collaborative and thriving communities.
To join use the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86536505218
Values of this Forum
- Inclusive communities, where everyone can thrive.
- Sustainable communities, which are environmentally resilient and productive.
- Collaborative/non-oppressive communities, where together we develop solutions.
- Non-violent communities, focused on peaceful solutions.
- Growth focused communities, which evolve to meet the challenges of living in a thriving democratic society.
More and more individuals are beginning to realize we need to pay attention to what is happening around us, not just those things we notice in our daily lives but also those things which seem more remote because when they are impacted, we are also impacted. Here is a guide on how to do this for use in your local community.
Download >>the Community Awareness Toolkit<<
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MN NOW & WRIGHT COUNTY INDIVISIBLE
Upcoming Speakers
October 20, 2025 – Welcoming Transgender/Nonbinary Children and Youth in Our Schools and Our Lives.
“Welcoming Transgender/Nonbinary Children and Youth in Our Schools and Our Lives.”
Join national speaker and author, Ellen (Ellie) Krug as she shares about what it means to be transgender and offers ideas and strategies on how to be welcoming and supportive of transgender and nonbinary children and youth, both in our schools and in our families/society, particularly at this very difficult time in America.”
In 2009, Ellie Krug was a civil trial attorney in Cedar Rapids with 100+ trials when she started her transition from male to female. She later became one of the few attorneys nationally to try jury cases in separate genders. The author of Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change (2013) and Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life (2025), Ellie has trained on diversity and inclusion to court systems, law firms, Fortune 100 corporations, and colleges/universities on more than 1000 occasions.
November 17, 2025 – Protecting Immigrant Rights
“Relationship Between Social Polarization and Loneliness”
This session explores how media rhetoric and communication frames contribute to divisiveness and analyzes how they contribute to polarization
“I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.” ― Robin Williams
Renee Cardarelle is a nonprofit and racial equity leader and educator, whose mission is to help build more inclusive communities which thrive.
Past Speakers
To view the recordings of past speakers, visit our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@CommunitySolutions-ne2ll
September 15, 2025 – Recovery, Resilience, and Community: Breaking Barriers in Minnesota
“Recovery, Resilience, and Community: Breaking Barriers in Minnesota” Presented by Jennifer Compeau – Family Resource Coordinator, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Jennifer will discuss systemic and personal barriers to recovery in Greater Minnesota and how you can support those in recovery.
August 18, 2025 – Impact of the Indian Child Welfare Act
Christy Goulet, Indigenous Legacy
July 21, 2025 – Protecting Immigrant Rights
June 16, 2025 – Seeing People with Disabilities
Kirsta Opstedal will discuss ableism and how it often makes people with disabilities invisible. She will explore what it means to be an ally to people with disabilities.
Krista oversees the development and implementation of several training curricula addressing critical needs within the disability field. She develops each series with the aim to enhance inclusivity and disability justice. With a master’s degree in public administration and over 15 years of experience in the disability sector, Krista is dedicated to creating supportive, empowering environments for individuals with disabilities.
May 19, 2025 – Building a Movement for Gender Justice
Grace Reardon & Monica Meyer from Gender Justice will discuss strategies for fighting for gender equity locally.
Gender Justice envisions a world where everyone can thrive regardless of their gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Step by step, we’re creating that world by dismantling legal, structural, and cultural barriers that contribute to gender inequity. We work to ensure that people of all genders have a meaningful right to bodily autonomy, safety, health, and opportunity.
February 17th – Christian Nationalism – How Do We Respond?
Ross Keys
How do we understand and respond to Christian Nationalism forces in our country?
Download >> Responding to Christian Nationalism Resources <<
March 17th – Historical Trauma
Linsey McMurrin, Peacekeepers
How do we integrate trauma-sensitive, equity driven, restoratively based and culturally responsive approaches into our communities?
Download >> Historical Trauma Resources <<
Download >>Historical Trauma Presentation <<
Download >> Remembering Resilience Flyer <<
April 21, 2025 – The Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools
Jim Bear Jacobs will share how residential Indian Boarding Schools impacted indigenous people and discuss ways we all can make reparations for the harms caused by this system of abuse.
Jim Bear Jacobs is a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation, an American Indian tribe located in central Wisconsin. He has degrees in Pastoral Studies and Christian Theology and has served various churches as youth minister, adult Christian educator, and director of Men’s Ministries. Presently he is parish associate at Church of All Nations Presbyterian Church. He is a cultural facilitator in the Twin Cities and works to raise the public’s awareness of American Indian causes and injustices and the Director of Community Engagement and Racial Justice for the Minnesota Council of Churches. Additionally he is the creator and director of “Healing Minnesota Stories,” a program of the Minnesota Council of Churches dedicated to ensuring that the Native American voice is heard in areas where it has long been ignored.
