Education and Advocacy Newsletters

 

Our vision at Mile in My Shoes is that teams will build bonds, boost wellness, and spark social action by bringing the power of running to people experiencing homelessness and other barriers. Our advocacy work is built on the belief that being strong advocates for meaningful social change requires a deeper understanding of issues of homelessness, recovery, reentry and the transition after military service. Spark, our monthly advocacy newsletter, will highlight opportunities to educate, connect, and act including information on upcoming events.

Check out past issues of the Spark newsletter, featuring information on issues of homelessness, immigration, re-entry from incarceration, military transition and more. (Subscribe to the Spark newsletter mailing list here).

Advocacy Event Recordings

Intersection of Running and Mental Health, May 20th, 2024

Mile in My Shoes/Twin Cities in Motion panel discussion with mental health professionals and folks who have sought running to improve physical and mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, including MiMS Members and Alumni. This panel is moderated by Katie Mark, founder of On The Mark Therapy and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who couples exercise with mental health treatment through her practice.

Panelists: Gina Landsee, Chad Ferrern, Levi McDaniels, Greg Kasten, and Jamie Kooper

Moderator: Katie Mark, On the Mark Therapy

Voices of Veterans: Connecting on Advocacy Solutions, November 1, 2023

View our recording of our panel discussion with service providers working to address the needs of Veterans who are justice-involved, experiencing housing instability or homelessness, and/or are in pursuit of post-traumatic growth following military service. The panel discussion was be moderated by Greg Wright, Resident Member from Mile in My Shoes’s Team Nokomis, an all-veteran team established in partnership with Every Third Saturday.

Panelists: Samantha Braesch, MACV; James McCloden, MACV; Trent Dilks, DAV; Tom McKenna, ETS; Rachel Silver, Catholic Charities

Join MiMS Advocacy for a conversation with Matthew Harris, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist with the Minneapolis VA's Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC). Listen as Matt shares about his work connecting justice-involved Veterans with services and benefits, and how the veterans court model offers an opportunity for early intervention in the effort to reduce veteran homelessness.

If you know a Veteran in need, please share these resources: Veterans Crisis Line is accessible by dialing 988 and pressing 1; National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: Call 1-877-424-3838; Minneapolis VA's Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) program can be reached by calling 612-313-3263.

August 23, 2023 Panel Discussion Voices of Veterans: Stories of Transition After Military Service

Watch the recording of our panel discussion featuring stories of transition from military service from MiMS Resident Members and Alumni. The panel discussion was hosted in partnership with Every Third Saturday (ETS) a local non-profit organization dedicated to fostering hope and supporting post-traumatic growth for veterans.

Watch the recording of our panel discussion with MiMS Run Mentor Noah Jordan and Alumni Member Kennoshia “Love” Fullilove in which they share their own experiences with running and discuss Alison Mariella Désir's book, Running While Black. Our conversation examined representation, access and inclusivity in our sport.

This panel discussion,Voices of Transition : Housing Obstacles, focused on issues of housing and homelessness. The discussion was moderated by MiMS Board Member Monica Nilsson, Executive Director of Haven Housing. Panelists included Sue Gomez from Housing Link and Jen Spadine of Guardians Property Management along with MiMS Resident Members Donny, Megan and Lebo.

Moderated by Mark Haase, Executive Director to the Ramsey County Attorney, this panel discussion titled Voices of Incarceration and Mental Health highlighted stories of incarceration and mental health. Panelists included MiMS Resident Members/Alumni Darla, Antonyo and Byrd as well as Elliot Butay, Criminal Justice Coordinator of NAMI Minnesota and Anna Hewitt, Mental Health Supervisor at Ramsey County Correctional Facility.

Voices of Reentry was a panel discussion held in partnership with MN Second Chance Coalition (MNSCC) and Mill City Running. The discussion was moderated by Matt Swiontek, MiMS Board Co-Chair and public defender with Hennepin County. Panelists included MiMS Team Volunteers of America (VOA) Alumni Members Jene'a, Matt, Brian, Demetrius and Krystal along with Gina Evans, Director of Advocacy at MN Adult and Teen Challenge and Secretary of the Board of Directors of MN Second Chance Coalition. Gina has over 20 years of experience in corrections and substance use disorder advocacy. Minnesota Second Chance Coalition (MNSCC) advocates for a dignified criminal legal system that promotes healing, repair, accountability, and belonging for individuals, families, and communities.

This panel discussion spotlighted stories of recovery and was held in partnership with Minnesota Recovery Connection and Mill City Running. Panelists included Wendy Jones, Executive Director of Minnesota Recovery Connection and MiMS Resident Members Niko, Tom, Charlie, from Teams Sally and Higher Ground. The discussion was moderated by Ben Kressel, MiMS Run Mentor with Team VOA Southside.