Hi <<First Name>>,
Welcome to the winter newsletter! In this issue, you'll meet current and past Amicus interns, learn about our Employment Advantage program, and find a link to register for our Champions of Change event this spring.
I hope you will consider how you might become involved with Amicus, whether by volunteering, making a donation, or joining us at the event. We couldn't do what we do without your partnership and support. Thank you!
Chris Doege, Senior Director of Community Justice
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Amicus Internships: Education, Experience and Future Community Leaders
Interns have long been an integral part of Amicus. For more than 20 years, students have come from many colleges and universities around the state (Hamline University, Augsburg College, Macalester College, Metropolitan State, Minneapolis College, St. Cloud University, and St. Scholastica just to name a few.)
Internships not only benefit the students but Amicus clients, staff, and the larger community as well. The diversity of Amicus interns helps our clients feel welcome and seen. And interns get real life experience working with individuals touched by the criminal justice system and who are navigating the barriers associated with reentry, as well as hands on work with data collection and entry, project development and management, and more.
Many Amicus interns have gone on to find jobs in social services, law, corrections, probation/parole as well as, most notably, staff at Amicus. This valuable opportunity for students and Amicus has enhanced the culture and programming for the people we serve for many years and we hope for many years to come.
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Current Intern Spotlight:
Ashley Pitzen
Ashely is a student at Hamline University and is working toward a Criminology Major with a psychology minor.
What inspired you to become an Amicus intern?
I chose to become an Amicus intern because I want to work with empowering those who are/have been incarcerated. Amicus gives me good exposure to helping people get on a path to success.
Has working with Amicus changed the way you see our community? If so, how?
Yes! Because of Amicus, I view people as who they are and realize that just because a person is deemed a criminal does not at all mean that they are dangerous or a bad person. We are all imperfect people but all deserving of good.
How has working with Amicus informed your education and desired career path?
While being an intern here, I am identifying the things I enjoy and the things I am good at. I enjoy talking to people and through helping people at Amicus, I have a better sense of direction for my future, which is in forensic psychology.
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Past Intern Spotlight:
Alyssa Pecholt
Alyssa attended Minneapolis College while interning with Amicus and is now pursuing a Masters of Integrated Recovery of Co-Occurring Disorders (IRCOD) at Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School.
Here's what Alyssa had to say about her experience with Amicus:
Working with Amicus inspired me to pursue change within my community and helped me to really understand areas within our justice system and rehabilitation programs that need reform. Amicus helped me to breach my education-real world gap and see firsthand the things that genuinely help people re-entering society from the justice system and understanding the difficulties that exist for much of the population going through the system.
Interning with Amicus connected me to others in the helping profession and taught me how important it is to make change. I decided to continue my education further because of the work I did with Amicus. I saw the struggles of clients we worked with, and I wanted to be able to really make an impact in their lives and make re-entry easier and more achievable. I am thankful for having the opportunity to be a part of such a motivated team and hope to continue to do my work the way Amicus does.
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Save the Date!
Please save the date for Amicus' Champions of Change event on April 18. The entire Amicus community is invited to come together to celebrate and support Amicus' innovative foundation, life changing friendships and a future filled with hope, resilience and well-being. This event is free and open to the public, so please invite your friends and colleagues.
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Stay tuned for more details (coming soon!). Already know you plan to attend? Click the link below to register.
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Program Highlight: Employment Advantage
Employment Advantage is a one-day employment seminar to help men and women successfully obtain employment despite having a criminal record. Resume writing, interview skills and networking are a few topics covered in this one-day class.
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The class is facilitated by Stan Hill, who has over 30 years of social service experience working in the public school system, parks and recreation, and non-profits serving children, adults, and families living in generational poverty with significant barriers to success. (Fun fact: Stan is also an accomplished vocal musician and bassist, with an active career that began in grade school and continues today.)
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Stan has been teaching Employment Advantage for over five years and has assisted hundreds of clients with their preparation for the work force as well as placing many in livable-wage jobs.
"Stan has been a long-time friend of Amicus, but first and foremost I consider him a genuinely good friend," says Chris Doege, Senior Director of Community Justice. "He is approachable, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Stan has walked the same path as the people we work with, and he is someone people listen to. He genuinely cares."
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It's been an unusually mild winter in Minneapolis, but Amicus participants are still in need of clothing and personal care items. Our greatest needs at this time are men's t-shirts (color: black or white; size: M-2X) and socks. But feel free to donate other items as well.
Donations can be dropped off at one of these two locations:
Amicus Office
3041 4th Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55408
VOA Office
7625 Metro Blvd Ste 200
Edina MN 55439
(take the elevator to the 2nd floor)
You can also shop our Amazon wish list here, where we keep a running list of needs as they arise. (Please choose "Amicus Gift Registry" as the shipping address during checkout so items are shipped directly to our office.) Thanks for your ongoing support and generosity!
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The Winter Warm-up Drive is a great opportunity to get your faith community, social group, or workplace involved in giving back this winter season. Consider hosting a drive in your community - it's easy and makes a big impact! Contact Kathy Meyer at kathy.meyer@voamn.org with questions or for more information.
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