Upcoming events, webinars, and news from the field
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Happy Fall!
Finally, the temperatures have dropped, my comfy sweaters have taken center stage in my closet, and the leaves have turned and are falling.While I love summer, 80’s in October just don’t hit the same as in July.
I hope you are all getting your teams ready for MAC’s 2nd Annual Jigsaw for Justice, competitive puzzling event to be held November 11th at Surly Brewing.If you’re not into puzzling but want to come out to support MAC and have a drink on us, PLEASE join us!There will be raffle prizes, a lot of laughter, and you can watch the intensity that is competitive puzzling!
The holidays are approaching more quickly than I am ready for and to be honest, celebrating Thanksgiving can be tricky for me.While I choose not to celebrate what the first Thanksgiving really symbolizes, I do use the day to celebrate the people in my life that love and support me and to see beyond all I am fighting against and acknowledge how blessed I am.
In times of turmoil and chaos, whether personal, communal, or global, gratitude can feel elusive, even indulgent. Yet it is precisely in these moments that thankfulness becomes a radical act of resilience. When the world feels unstable, acknowledging what remains steady, a kind word, a shared meal, a moment of quiet, grounds us. Gratitude doesn’t erase hardship, but it reframes our perspective, reminding us that even amidst chaos, there are fragments of grace worth holding onto.
Being thankful during upheaval also deepens our empathy. When we recognize the small blessings in our own lives, we become more attuned to the struggles and triumphs of others. Gratitude shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance, not in material terms, but in human connection, courage, and compassion. It invites us to celebrate the helpers, the healers, and the everyday acts of kindness that often go unnoticed when fear dominates the narrative.
Moreover, gratitude can be a form of resistance. In a culture that often rewards outrage and urgency, choosing to pause and appreciate is a way of reclaiming agency. It allows us to say, “I see the pain, but I also see the beauty.” This dual awareness doesn’t deny reality - it enriches it. Thankfulness becomes a tool for navigating complexity, helping us stay grounded without becoming numb, and hopeful without being naïve.
Ultimately, cultivating gratitude in turbulent times is a practice and a muscle we strengthen through reflection, ritual, and community. Whether it’s journaling a few lines each day, sharing stories with loved ones, or simply breathing deeply and naming what’s good, these acts accumulate. They build a reservoir of emotional endurance, reminding us that even in the storm, there is light. And sometimes, that light is simply the ability to say “thank you” and mean it.
I wish for each of you, the time to slow down and practice gratitude during the hurried season that will soon be upon us.Always know that each of you are counted among my blessings.
Join MAC this November as we kick off our From Pieces to Progress campaign! On November 11, we’ll gather for Jigsaw for Justice, a fast-paced puzzle competition supporting MAC’s mission to connect advocates, communities, and survivors across Minnesota. Then, help us keep the momentum going for Give to the Max Day on November 20!
Every piece matters. Together, we can turn small steps into lasting progress toward safety, healing, and justice for victims of crime.
The Minnesota Alliance on Crime (MAC), Violence Free Minnesota (VFMN), the Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition (MIWSAC), the Minnesota Children's Alliance (MCA), Mending the Sacred Hoop (MSH), and the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) is convening a virtual regional meeting in November 2025 for all our members throughout the state. These meetings are an excellent opportunity for you to discuss emerging issues in your community and to learn more about what’s happening in other regions of the state and at the coalitions.
Attend to hear how the coalitions will be working with you to move forward all your incredible ideas from the joint annual meeting in September.
The meeting is virtual and for all regions. Coalition staff will present on updates relevant to members, then each region will be separated out into breakout rooms where staff will facilitate a discussion about any emerging issues that you are seeing in your area.
Support the Minnesota Alliance on Crime, and compete with a team of up to 4 people and see how quickly you can complete a 500-piece PuzzleTwist puzzle. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 finishing teams. There will also be raffle prizes. All teams get to keep their competition puzzle.
Arrive early for a puzzle swap! Bring up to 5 puzzles you would like to swap!
Cost to Register:
Team (up to 4 people): $60
HOW DOES IT WORK:
Each team will receive the same puzzle concealed. You cannot see the puzzle before the timer starts, but as this is a fundraiser, you can donate for competitive advantages! Donate $10 and your team can look at the puzzle box before the competition starts for 30 seconds. An additional 60 seconds of time will be auctioned to the highest bidding team that you can use to reduce your total time. Be sure to arrive before the 6:30pm competition start time to donate for advantages!
After a countdown, teams will open their boxes and start puzzling. A competition judge will monitor teams and record finishing times. Once you have completed your puzzle, you may leave, or stay and work on another puzzle and enjoy a drink or two!
Safeguard is a new program of the Minnesota Alliance on Crime that brings licensed therapists to your organization for in-person group wellness sessions. Sessions will focus on stressors and coping skills. Sessions are completely confidential and can be booked around your organization’s schedule.
On July 31, 2025, the Department of Justice announced a remission process to compensate eligible individuals advertised for trafficking on Backpage.com or CityXGuide for specific damages they suffered as a result of the trafficking. Petitions are due February 2, 2026.
Filing a petition for remission can be complex and overwhelming. The Backpage Survivor Remission Network, created by NCMEC, connects survivors with law firms across the U.S. to make the process easier. Eligible individuals can get help filing for compensation at no cost.
Visit NCMEC’s website to access these resources, including helpful information about the remission process: BackpageRemissionNetwork.org
The Minnesota Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Network is a coordinated statewide network to connect those working to prevent and respond to human trafficking and exploitation, both sex and labor, in Minnesota. The next Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Network Meeting will be hosted virtually on Monday, January 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is excited to share a new webpage that aims to spread awareness and share resources around the overlapping public health issues of substance use, overdose, and human trafficking. The webpage shares key context, definitions, data, and resources for providers and organizations working on substance use and human trafficking across Minnesota. Access the webpage:Substance Use and Human Trafficking
Being and Becoming: Connecting with our Inner Wisdom for Liberation and Joy
Virtual Wellness Workshop
Wednesday, November 19th
12pm-1pm
This session invites participants to pause and reconnect with their inner wisdom through the practice of Sankalpa, a Sanskrit word meaning “deep intention” or “resolve.” Drawing from yoga philosophy and mind-body medicine, we’ll explore how clarifying what matters most can guide sustainable action and resilience in demanding work.
Participants will be guided through a short Wise Guide meditation to access intuition, reflect on the four core desires of the soul: purpose (dharma), prosperity (artha), joy (kama), and liberation (moksha) — and create a Sankalpa: a clear, present-tense intention to guide the next six months.
They’ll leave with a personalized intention, simple grounding practices to return to it daily, and a renewed connection to the deeper “why” that sustains their work over time.
This session will be recorded, the recording will be available exclusively to MAC members.
Weekly Thursdays at 6PM, Unidos MN is hosting a live information session where attorney Susana De León will discuss immigration legal information and answer questions via Facebook and Instagram Live.
From NOVA and the Justice Clearinghouse: Victim Safety Planning and Mobile Devices. This comprehensive training session will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to help victims and survivors protect their mobile devices and sensitive data from potential threats. December 4th at 2pm CT.
Job Opportunities:
MNCASA hosts a job board for advocacy positionshere.
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is hiring a number of positions. Learn more here.
MAC is a membership coalition of more than 90 crime victim service providers in Minnesota, including prosecution-based victim/witness programs, community programs, law enforcement agencies, and individuals committed to supporting crime victims. We support our membership through training, technical assistance, resources, public policy and legislative initiatives, and networking opportunities.
To join our coalition of Minnesota crime victim service programs,click here.
Want to share something in next month's newsletter? Email Becca!
The Minnesota Alliance on Crime advances a collective movement to eliminate the systemic barriers experienced by people impacted by crime.
VISION
The Minnesota Alliance on Crime envisions a world where people impacted by crime, particularly those who are historically marginalized, can heal, achieve justice, and restore balance to their lives.
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