Project Legos

Who We’ve Worked With
Take a look at Project Legos’ client list… (pdf)

Check out our Events Calendar!

Project Legos in the Press

Agents of Change
The Bridge newspaper published this article about the participants at the Brian Coyle community Center.  The participants made a CD that calls for non-violence in their neighborhood and sent it to leaders in the community.
The Bridge, 9/8/2008

Youth making footprints with Emerge
Camden Community News highlights two summer program partnerships with Emerge Community Development of Pillsbury United Communities.
Camden Community News  8/27/2008

Project Legos’ Brian Coyle Community Center Challenge Program
“Project Legos, a non-profit organization dedicated to social change and youth development striving to achieve a more peaceful and inclusive society facilitates programs throughout the Twin Cities…”
Insight News, published on 7/28/2008

Project Legos Footsteps March: Stomping Out Violence
Dawn Stevens joins Project Legos at our annual Youth Footsteps March. Interviewing staff responsible for the event as well as youth that were at the first annual March as well as this year’s, Dawn reports on how Project Legos and the March are making a positive impact on the community.
Fox 9 News, aired 5/17/2008

Project Legos
World Peace Emerging describes Project Legos, its founding, and ways to get involved in the mission and programs.
World Peace Emerging published 3/2008

Click here for a complete list of Project Legos in the Press! (pdf)

We’ve connected our mission of change, inclusion and acceptance to nearly 2,000 young people. We have been fortunate enough to capture some relfections, responsesand dialogue on film. Please enjoy the film clips below.
ENJOY!

Monthly Art Auction

Each month, the Project Legos auction highlights a local artist whose talents deserve to be spotlighted in our community.
Learn More

To place a bid, email mike@projectlegos. Starting bids are (1) $75 and (2) $50, OR you can BUY NOW with prices at (1) $150 and (2) $100.

Featured Artist: Paul Anthony Rolfes

prolfs.anthony@gmail.com
These two beautiful pieces were created by Paul Anthony Rolfes. Holfes was born and raised in Montana, but moved to the Twin Cities at the age of 22. Rolfes uses oils on canvas in an expressionist style.

1. Large oil painting based on the artist’s interpretation of conflict and war.

2. The smaller piece is an abstract group of portraits featuring famous artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Renior. The artist used bright colors to employ a sense of hope and rebirth.

Signature T-Shirt

Take a step further by supporting Project Legos when you snag a signature shirt for only $12! Choose from a variety of colors and sizes up to XX-Large.

Click the shirts to see a larger image or on a swatch to view a different color!

To Order:
-CLICK HERE to download (pdf), print, fill out and mail this order form to
Community Relations
Project Legos
1900 Hennepin Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Checks can be made payable to: Project Legos

OR…
-Click the BUY NOW button below, and AFTER filling in credit card, shipping, and billing information, please indicate which T-Shirt you are ordering, including the following specifications:
Style: TriFoot or Matrix
Size: Youth-Med, Youth-Large, Adult S, M, L, XL, or XXL
Color: Light Blue, Blue, Red, Yellow or Green

 

Contributions over the suggested price are more than appreciated by using the “Donate” button, for all proceeds go to provide programming and opportunities for young adults to make a change!

Monthly Art Auction
Each month, the Project Legos auction highlights a local artist whose talents deserve to be spotlighted in our community. Our goal is to bring recognition to this artist, through generating support of our mission and auctioning off their work. By bidding on each month’s featured pieces, you are helping us continue to reach as many young people as possible with our mission to inspire, empower, and prepare. The money raised from the auction will go toward our financial aid account to ensure that no young people or community miss out on our program experience and a chance to “be the change” because of financial barriers.

The artists chosen donate their work to be auctioned in support of our mission, but are also open to be contacted if you would like to inquire about other pieces.

If you would like to place a bid, please send an e-mail to
mike@projectlegos.org with the number of the piece you would like to bid on as well as the amount you would like to bid. We will send you an e-mail if someone outbids you, giving you a chance to place a higher bid if you choose.

Sign Up!

Please complete the Online Session Information Form below. Click Submit and a Project Legos staff person will connect with you shortly. Thanks for your interest in Project Legos!

The Project Legos office is open weekdays from 8am – 5pm. We are often open on Saturdays during the fall months. Feel free to call our office with any questions, concerns and comments. Our friendly staff is excited to talk to you.
Interested in…

…signing up for programming?
…having a conversation about what we do?
…partnerships?
…becoming involved as a volunteer or an intern?
…helping us promote social change by becoming a facilitator?
…just hanging out with us for day?

Project Legos
1900 Hennepin Av S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-353-6927
info@projectlegos.org

Project Legos has developed and implemented two major community events that engage the community at large in community enhancement and improvement, civic engagment and volunteerism.

Through our commuity events we seek to:

-Engage community members in volunteerism
-Promote change on a community level
-Inspire and equip young people to intitiate service
learning and community service projects
-Develop working partnerships with youth serving
agencies to better serve young people

Date: May 2009 Starting at Folwell Park

The FootSteps March is an event that is currently hosted in North Minneapolis in May. The goal of this event is to engage young people and community leaders to demonstrate positive community organizing and community development. This is an opportunity for students, youth serving agencies and other communuty leaders, and YES it is totally Free!

This day is packed full of activies and discussions with participants surrounding violence in the community and ways that we can make change and create youth friendly spaces.

Below is the map of the walk as well as a more detailed description of the day’s agenda and set up. Check out the LINKS below!

Reflections
Participant Kamira, Age 14, St.Paul, MN

“The footsteps march is an experience very dear to my heart…That day gave me a glimpse of hope that allowed me to see this is possible and we can do it…It showed me that the community is ready, they just need a leader and Project Legos I feel is that leader.”

 

Project Legos YOUTHsteps Forum is to celebrate the youth voice and youth based change in the Twin Cities. This event is an opportunity for the community at large to come together to hear the youth voice through spoken word, dance, song, etc. Join us for free food, free entertainment, and a chance to find out about other youth based change.”

If you would like to sponsor a table, donate food, or volunteer please click the link below. If you have further questions, emailcommunity@projectlegos.org or call the office at 612-676-9482.

Racism, sexism, classism along with many other social “isms” are still very present in our society. These “isms” manifest themselves in the daily functions of society more often than not.

The future of humanity lies in the hands of our younger generation. It has become more than crucial for us to transfer the responsibility of creating and sustaining an inclusive and peaceful society.

Here are the facts:

According to Diplomas Count, a June 2006 Education Week report, 30 percent of 9th graders fail to finish high school with their peers — an estimated 1.2 million U.S. students from the class of 2006, and most of them are members of minority groups.

According to Rethinkig.org the number of young people in prison has increased by 66% over the last five years. There are now over 11,000 young people in prison. The majority of young sentenced prisoners have been convicted of non violent offences. In April 2002 only 15% of young male offenders were in prison for either sexual offences, or offences involving violence against the person.

It has been approximated that in the United States alone there are about 2 million homeless adolescents. A large percent of these homeless teens are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT). Most of then leave their homes to avoid they face from their parents and family because of their sexual orientation. They leave this harassment for extremely dangerous conditions found on the streets. The homeless GLBT individuals face a more risk living style than their heterosexual counterparts in this environment.
© 2006 Queer Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

According to the national Association of school psychologists, one in seven school children is a bully or a victim (Beane)

Bullying/teasing: National Issue
-According to the national Association of school psychologists, one in seven school children is a bully or a victim (Beane)
-Bullying directly affects about 5 million elementary and junior high students (Beane)
-It’s estimated that nearly 160,000 students stay home every day because of bullying (Beane)
-There are numerous “on-looker children [the authors] have labeled “the silent majority” because they make up 85% of the school population.
-They usually know who the bullies and victims are, but they are too frightened to intervene (Garrity, Jens, & Porter)

Get involved and help change our society! or check out our upcoming events!

Project Legos is constantly growing and developing. The support of our donors and community is the most vital part to mission of this organization. We are so grateful to have generous supporters, both operationally and financially.

Ways you can help:

You can contribute to Project Legos in a variety of ways. Click the following links to learn more!

Financial Contribution: Click the Donate button on the right!
In-Kind Donations
Partnerships
Volunteer
Project Legos Ambassador
Shop our Project Legos Merchandise
Start using GoodSearch: click here to start using GoodSearch!
Check out Project Legos Fundraisers!

A Cohesive Community…

Even in the classroom we encourage young people to acknowledge the importance of a cohesive community. Thanks again to the following companies who have contributed immensely to Project Legos and our mission:

Financial Contribution: Your tax-exempt, financial contributions ensure that young people from all backgrounds and walks of life are able to experience our programming and a positive change in their life, regardless of financial barriers that may exist. You may designate your gift to provide program financial aid, support an annual event such as the YOUTHsteps Forum or Footsteps March, support organizational operations, or other ways that you may like. To further discuss giving possibilities, give us a call: 612-353-6927 or e-mail: mike@projectlegos.org.

In-Kind Donations: Due to the nature of our initiatives and devices used to bring about change, materials are always in need to continue their use and effectiveness in the classroom. Below is a list of the “most needed” items for youth programs, but there are many other items that you may have that could be very useful to our organization n other areas so please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail to ask about in-kind donation possibilities.
Most Needed Items: Bags (backpack, duffel, etc), Rope/String, Tarps, Carpets/Rugs (any size), Uniforms/Costumes (hats, wigs, suits, etc..), Office Supplies (pens, pencils, markers, paper, folders, binders,etc), Tape (duct, masking, packaging), Batteries(any and all sizes), Blank CD’s/DVD’s.

Partnership: We have established many partnerships with organizations n the community that support both parties through the nature of the partnership and continue to encourage a community-based effort toward creating positive change. Partnerships can take various forms and we would be happy to talk with you further about possibilities for your business/agency/organization. Give us a call: 612-353-6927 or e-mail: mike@projectlegos.org if you are interested in possible partnership, supporting our organization and forging positive change.

Volunteer: Volunteers are a very important part of our organization and much of what goes on here comes from passion-filled people that support our mission enough to get involved and learn more through direct service. There are many ways to volunteer with our organization, all with different levels of commitment as well as different aspects of involvement. Each area of involvement is of great importance to our mission, so please fill out the online involvement form or e-mail communityrelations@projectlegos.org to get more information and/or get involved in our volunteer opportunities.

Be a Project Legos Ambassador: One of Project Legos’ strong-suits is its ability to facilitate environments where people come together and embark on a journey from awareness to responsibility in relation to the changes needed in our communities and society. Another strength of Project Legos is the people–especially you! PL does not have an extensive marketing or advertising budget by any means–our best marketing tool is word of mouth. Contact Mike Jackson at 612-353-6927 or mike@projectlegos.org for more information or to become a PL ambassador.
We will see to it that all PL ambassadors are given the proper tools to spread the word about PL to your friends, family, neighbors, associates, and more. Our goal is to get as many people as possible talking about PL to encourage them to do one or more of the following:
1. Coordinate a session/workshop for a group they are involved in
2. Encourage others to set-up a session or workshop
3. Volunteer
4. Make connections with other people/organizations
5. Become a financial or in-kind supporter

Support Project Legos using GoodSearch: What if Project Legos earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can! GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up! GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy’s and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you?ll be supporting your favorite cause. Click here and start GoodSearching, or click here and start GoodShopping! And, be sure to spread the word!

When it comes to connecting young people to social change, optimism, strategy and most of all personality are essential. Project Legos demands that our staff bring energy, enthusiasm, dedication and conviction to the table.
If you’re interested in being a facilitator please call or email us RIGHT NOW!

We provide internships in many areas, if you are interested in applying for one of the jobs available, CLICK HERE to download the application. Please accompany your completed application with resume and email it to jobs@projectlegos.orgor mail it to the Project Legos office. A member of our staff will review your submission and get back to you in one week’s time with necessay steps to move forward. Thank you and we look forward to meeting you!

Click on the following positions to learn more, and download an application!

Program Facilitator
Program facilitators play the most crucial role of all within the organization as they are out on the “front lines” conducting the life changing programming necessary to carry out our mission.
Now Accepting Applications!

Community Relations Coordinator
The community relations coordinator will play a role in many of the programs, events, and initiatives at Project Legos, giving a chance to work on many avenues of the organization and with many different people.
Now Accepting Applications!

Community Relations Assistant
The community relations assistant will play a role in many of the programs, events, and initiatives at Project Legos, giving a chance to work on many avenues of the organization and with many different people.
Now Accepting Applications!

Youth Programs Assistant
The program assistant assists the program director in the management of program operations, development, and human resources.
Now Accepting Applications!

Graphic Designer
The graphic designer is responsible for all Project Legos’ design work, such as new projects, website updating, and revitalizing old designs.
Now Accepting Applications!

Executive Assistant
The executive assistant (EA) plays a very crucial role in the overall operations of the organization.  Working closely with the Executive Director, the E.A will assist in the operations of many organizational avenues on an administrational and “hands-on” level.
Now Accepting Applications!

Executive Operations Assistant
The executive operations assistant (EOA) plays a very crucial role in the overall operations of the organization.  Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, the E.O.A will assist in the operations of many organizational avenues on an administrational and “hands-on” level.
Now Accepting Applications!

If you’re interested in getting involved with Project Legos, please call our office (612) 353-6927 or send an email tojobs@projectlegos.org. To see what Project Legos is up to now, take a look at ourCALENDAR! For a quick response, please complete the application below.

Annie Young -Chair
Katie Rindfleisch- Secretary
Matt Tollefson- Treasurer
Carly Syfko- Member at large,
Anthony Reuter- Member at large

Executive Director

Operating Executive

 

Youth Program Director

“It’s great to work for a place where I am a part of making real and positive change in society. Young people have such positive and influential potential and Project Legos works hard to develop that on a daily basis. I am definitely proud to be a part of this organization.” Laura Iverson laura@projectlegos.org

Community Relations Coordinator

“Working alongside such great people here at Project Legos truly has been a monumental experience for me. I believe our youth is one of the most untainted elements of our society, and it is such an empowering feeling to be involved with such a great organization. I am so proud to be apart of a group of young people devoted to making a personal investment in the future of our youth.” Nicolle Harkness nicolle@projectlegos.org

Facilitators

Angela Goins, Karissa Gibson, Oliver Dykstra, Thomas Toley, Chris Pleasants, Lenora Magee, Heidi Weitzer, Crystal Spring, Ava Rostampour, Yer-Berato Wilson, Emily Arenson, Chelsea Kastner, Naomi Doriott, Marie Rainey, Erin Shaw, Whitney Stark, Justin Branch, Mehri Davis, Jake Delepina, Krisit Kerhrwald, Rickeisha Powell, Eric Purdue, Heather Schommer, Brandon Reader, Chemi Banari, Chris Fleming, Maetzin Saenz, Mee Vang, Megan Mueller, Morgan Tomsche

“It is touching and rewarding to witness these biases start to melt away and to see the youth express a deasire to start making positive changes in their thoughts and actions towards people different from themselves.”
-Angela Goens, Project Legos Facilitator

Through our programming youth are given the opportunity and provided a safe environment to discuss and explore social issues like poverty, racism, sexism, bullying, teasing and much more. Each of our programs also offer young people the opportunity to conceptualize and implement community service and service learning projects that will benefit their schools, communities and neighborhoods surrounding the issues they feel strongly about changing.

Click here to read this summer’s newsletter! Or check ourupcoming events!

Desired Outcomes Increase social, emotional, and communicative skills in a diverse society Gain cultural and social competence Demonstrate leadership skills Develop positive peer-to-peer relationships Increase personal leadership skills Increase awareness of social issues, such as racial justice, classism, poverty, homelessness, bullying, teasing, institutionalism, sexism, etc Gain or identify personal values Increase knowledge of civic engagement Engage in community service and service learning projects

Who do we work with?

Everyone! We have experiences that are suitable for any and all youth serving agencies and organizations as well as corporations and social service agencies. Our programs are offered before school, after school, during school, and summer.