A community to act with and lean on in 2024

Dear John, 

We figure it out together. We love and support each other. Those are my favorite of TakeAction Minnesota’s guiding values, and heading into a year with so much at stake, they’ve been on my mind a lot. 

I’m part of the communications team at TakeAction. Working on this team is special to me because I get to hear and share stories about TakeAction members like you organizing and figuring out together how to build the people power we need to make our values real in the world.  

At the end of 2023, my colleague Nadine and I chatted with TakeAction members and leaders to ask why they organize with us, what they’ve learned, and what they’re looking forward to in 2024. Heading into a big year, I’m holding their words close. It gives me hope to see people who share my values choosing to invest in a community where they can act on them. 

💕 Live out your values in 2024 by becoming a sustaining member of TakeAction. 

📣 Check out ways to act with us this month, including upcoming phone banks for Ceasefire in Gaza and organizing meetings with Duluth Tenants and Hennepin County parents and caregivers. 

Here are some of the reflections TakeAction members shared with Nadine and me:  

Marco, on organizing with parents and caregivers in Hennepin County: “When I got to speak to the county board about shutting down the HERC incinerator, I felt heard, and involved politically in a way I hadn’t considered previously. I want people to know there are people out there who see the problems and aren’t just pointing them out but working to correct them.” 

Lena Pak, on the skills she built as a TakeAction Minnesota fellow: “This fall, I got involved in Ceasefire organizing with local groups in the Twin Cities. It was powerful to experience big feelings in that moment and know I had built skills to react in ways that would actually make a change. Like, I could express my feelings in ways that could move us forward.” 

Mikaela Williams, on building community with Duluth Tenants: “Being a part of a positive change means a lot in a world that can feel hopeless. It's been grounding to build a community of renters in Duluth. It’s a place we can focus on making change in those moments everything else feels like it’s on fire.” 

Raivin Hughes, on organizing for renters’ rights with Duluth Tenants: “It’s nice to be around people who understand what I’m going through. It’s opened my eyes to a lot of things I wasn’t fully aware of. I hope that nobody has to struggle with landlords who don’t give a crap. I hope we give landlords a reason to care.” 

TakeAction members raise our voices at critical moments, invest our dollars in year-round organizing, and learn and campaign together for a world that reflects our values. Thank you for all the ways you showed up in 2023.  

Show up in 2024 by becoming a sustaining member or making a one-time contribution. And, check out upcoming ways to act with us. 

I’m going to be turning to this community for love and support as we face good times and painful times in 2024. I’m grateful you’re a part of it. If you have reflections you’d like to share going into the New Year, please reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you.  

In care and solidarity, 

Laura (she/her) 
Digital Strategist