Upcoming events, webinars, and news from the field
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Thank you Bobbi!

After 10 years with MAC, Bobbi Holtberg has moved on to new adventures. Bobbi joined MAC as the first full time employee, and grew the coalition into a powerful force for change in the state. Please join us in celebrating Bobbi and her 10 years of service in Minneapolis on January 9th. 

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January 9th, 2026, 4-6pm
The Market at Malcolm Yards
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It is a new year here at MAC, I am now executive director and feel quite odd about writing in what has always been Bobbi's space where she has always written incredibly eloquent and moving letters. As with all things in this new role, I have big shoes to fill, and I can't promise that I will be able to do everything as brilliantly as Bobbi did.

I am so incredibly grateful for Bobbi and everything she has taught me. We have been succession planning for over a year, and I am ready and excited for this new chapter.

MAC will continue to work closely with the 5 other anti-violence coalitions. We will collaborate to ensure that advocates receive the latest information and trainings, to fight for long-term funding streams for crime victim services, and to push back against changes that threaten to harm survivors.

In 2026, we have a new training coordinator, Roen Boyd, starting at MAC. I am so excited to see what new life she brings to our training program. Our monthly webinars will continue, as will our Fundamentals in Victim Services 101 and 201. 

We have been working with the University of St. Thomas to create an online directory of crime victim services in Minnesota. The dream is to have an accessible, searchable, filterable directory with a map that can be used by advocates and survivors. In the spring, we hope that computer science students will be able to create a prototype for you to test!

We are living in incredibly challenging times, and the work we do will likely get harder, but I can't imagine doing anything else. We will be asked to stand firm in our moral convictions, to speak up when it feels dangerous, and to stand side by side with our neighbors. We will find our courage within each other, act in solidarity, and allow others to take over when we need to rest. This work is lifelong, and we cannot do it alone, burned out, or afraid.

None of us accomplish anything alone, and you are not alone in this work. You are a part of a coalition that stretches across this state. You are part of a collective movement that when united in common cause, can accomplish anything. Please reach out to us with questions or concerns. We can't solve everything, but we can listen and we can make a plan!

Take care,
Becca
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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 Department of Employment and Economic Development recently held a  webinar all about becoming a safety leave certifier. Here is the Safety Leave Certifier Form. They also created a Safety Leave Fact Sheet.

Callisto Vault: A Confidential Resource for Campus Survivors
Callisto Vault is an encrypted platform designed to enable campus survivors to create a timestamped record of their assault and/or match with others harmed by the same perpetrator, increasing the likelihood that serial offenders will be held accountable. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni with an active .edu email address at any college/university in the U.S. and its territories can create a FREE account at www.callistovault.org.

The MNJRC recently released a memo full of recommendations for local governments in their response to ICE activity in Minnesota.

The coalitions have put out a joint statement in support of immigrant communities. 
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Fundamentals in Victim Services

A 2-day virtual training for newer victim advocates
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Wednesday, February 18th and Thursday, February 19th  
9:00am-4:15pm

The February 2026 Fundamentals in Victim Services Training is a virtual training for newer victim advocates to develop core knowledge and skills to provide victim-centered services. Topics covered in this training:

  • The Neurobiology of Trauma
  • Advocating within Systems
  • Experienced Advocate Panel
  • Occupational Identity Management and Preventing Burnout
  • Crime Victims' Rights
  • Financial Assistance for Crime Victims
  • Understanding Implicit Bias

Training participants will have opportunities to connect with one another and with experienced professionals.

Registration is free for MAC Member programs (meaning all staff of the member program) and $50 for non-members. Not sure your program is a member? Check here: https://www.mnallianceoncrime.org/our-member-programs/

MAC Members: to register for free, simply enter the MAC member page password in the coupon code box.
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From the Survivor Center at the Prosecutors Alliance: Post-Conviction Resource Centers for Survivors and Practitioners. Learn about the newly launched Post Conviction Resource Center, an online hub offering survivors and practitioners resources and support related to all types of post-conviction case activity. January 6th at 2pm CT.

On Monday, January 5, 2026, Safe Passage will release a new report titled Minnesota Child Fatalities from Maltreatment, 2023–2024 which will be posted on the Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota website. This report examines child deaths that were determined to be the result of abuse or neglect occurring between June 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. 

To support transparency and discussion, Safe Passage will host two identical public webinars to review the report’s findings and discuss recommendations. These webinars are open to the public: 

From Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN): What to Do When the Government Knocks: Understanding Federal Law Enforcement. Wednesday | January 7 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Virtual - Live/Online | FREE
This webinar will provide historical background of the FCA, describe the role of whistleblowers, and offer insight into evolving enforcement priorities. 

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is partnering with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and The Advocates for Human Rights to host a free webinar on how to protect the best interests of non-citizen youth in CHIPS proceedings. The webinar will take place on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 12 – 1 pm and will show participants how to connect with knowledgeable immigration counsel and to learn other important guidance on best practices in serving non-citizen youth to ensure they are able to benefit from the permanency plan developed by the court. 

From NCVLI: Unique Challenges and Advocacy for Injured Victims/Victims of Impaired Driving. This one hour training will provide valuable insights into specific impacts experienced by these victims, as well as practical guidance in areas connected to advocacy and trauma informed interactions. January 14th 1-2pm CT. Registration closes January 9th. 

In collaboration with the Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition is hosting the Indigenous Sexual Violence Prevention Summit. The Summit will bring together professionals working in sexual violence prevention in Native communities to share knowledge and wisdom and engage in conversations in service to Indigenous survivors of sexual violence. January 14-15 at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN.

From the Minnesota Elder Justice Center: Elder Justice Policy and the 2026 MN Legislative Session. January 15, 12pm-1pm  | Sean Burke, JD, consultant and lobbyist with O’Connell Consulting, and Amanda Vickstrom, Executive Director of the Minnesota Elder Justice Center, will lead a discussion on the upcoming 2026 Minnesota legislative session and the potential legislation related to elder justice. Join the webinar to learn about the MN legislative process and the policy goals for elder justice.

And: Federal Elder Justice Policy Outlook for 2026. January 22, 12pm-1pm  | Iris Freeman, founding Board Chair of the Minnesota Elder Justice Center and a leader in several national elder justice organizations, is back to provide another timely update on elder justice policy issues at the federal level. Iris will unpack the policy opportunities and concerns that may impact services and supports for older people and vulnerable adults.

From Women's Advocates: Domestic Violence 201- a 90 minute webinar where you will expand your understanding of abusive relationship dynamics, deepening knowledge of emotional abuse tactics and the form of abuse known as coercive control, explore why the general public is historically reluctant to believe survivors who come forward about their abuse, gain tools and courage to stand up against victim-blaming and minimization, and help build a culture that believes victim-survivors. January 21st at 12pm CT.

Job Opportunities:

MNCASA hosts a job board for advocacy positions here. 

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is hiring a number of positions. Learn more here.
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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!

Staff Contact:

Becca Muskat, Executive Director  becca@mnallianceoncrime.org

Jessi McKinnon, Director of Operations jessi@mnallianceoncrime.org

Gretchen Weinrich, Post-Conviction Advocacy Manager  gretchen@mnallianceoncrime.org

Roen Boyd, Training Coordinator training@mnallianceoncrime.org

www.mnallianceoncrime.org
MISSION

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.

VALUES

Equity • Trauma-Responsive • Centering Survivors •  Solidarity

Consider a donation to MAC today!
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