The best volunteers possess a sense of self-awareness. It is important for us all to reflect on the preconceptions and biases that we may have about the community before engaging. This is why HandsOn Twin Cities is thrilled to partner with REM5 For Good to offer this exclusive learning experience! Join us for "1 City. 2 Realities." the world's first truly virtual exhibition space highlighting racial inequalities in our nation and community. Minneapolis has long thrived on the reputation of being one of the "Best Places To Live" in the country, while at the same time, has one of the largest racial inequality gaps in the nation.

Through photos, videos, audio clips, and data visualizations, this virtual exhibition highlights this reality to help us get past "Minnesota Nice" and into the place where we can address the systemic inequality in our community head-on. Find out more at https://www.handsontwincities.org/1-city-2-realities. If you would like to offer this to a larger group, don’t hesitate to email Tracy Nielsen directly for more information.

 Redefining Volunteerism is a podcast about deepening understanding of social issues and inspiring action. HandsOn Twin Cities created this podcast for a few important reasons:

• To contextualize some key community issues so that volunteers have a background and a deeper understanding of how and why nonprofits and partner organizations exist.
• To challenge folks to dig deeper and think about how their actions can really get beyond episodic volunteerism to make meaningful change for a more equitable community.
• To give tangible and easy ways to take action in every episode.

The podcast features many incredible guests, including Seena Hodges Akyea of The Woke Coach, Tomme Beevas of Pimento Relief Services, Jonathan Palmer from Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, and many MORE! Episodes are available on all the major streaming platforms via www.handsontwincities.org/podcast.

In celebration of MLK Day, HandsOn Twin Cities hosted a virtual event in which we discussed ways volunteering can be an effective tool for creating an equitable community. The panel was be moderated by Seena Hodges, Founder and CEO of The Woke Coach. Panelists included Johnathan Palmer, Executive Director of the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Laverne McCartney Knighton, Area Development Director for UNCF, and Nadege Souvenir, Senior Vice President of Operations & Learning for the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.  The topics included avoiding "voluntourism", the connection to education and action, how to be an anti-racist volunteer, and more. A video recording of the event is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Ua2F9Mx54. The tool Steps Towards Meaningful Engagement is also available as a supplement.

Click here for volunteer opportunities: Do you have a random volunteer photo that could go here?

On May 18, 2021, the Corporate Volunteerism Council hosted a program, “Ways We Can Help: Rebuild Our Communities” with guest presenters, Tracy Nielsen from HandsOn Twin Cities and Eva Song Margolis with Greater Twin Cities United Way. Following is a recap of the program, a link to the presentation and ways you can engage to help our communities rebuild.

HandsOn Twin Cities