November 2025 Newsletter // Boletin de noviembre 2025





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MCLA is an executive branch agency. We advise on policy and legislation. We work for the people of Minnesota and *388,435 Latino Minnesotans* to ensure equality and equity statewide.

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MCLA es una agencia de gobierno que asesora sobre políticas y legislación. Trabajamos para la gente de Minnesota y *388,435 Latinos*, a fin de asegurar igualdad y equidad en todo el estado.

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Contents 

* A Message from Rosa Tock / Un mensaje de Rosa Tock [ #message ]
* MCLA's Survey: your voice matters!/ Encuesta: tu voz importa [ #encuesta ]
* MCLA with the Community / MCLA con la comunidad [ #community ]
* Job Opportunities and More / Oportunidades de trabajo y más [ #opportunities ] 





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Executive Director
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A message from Rosa Tock

Friends, amigos y amigas,

November is one of my favorite months. In November, we celebrate the end of harvest and a month of gratitude. This is my last week at the helm of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA). Reflecting on my 12 years of service to the Council on two different occasions, in different capacities, and in different eras would require more than this short message.

Suffice to say that as an immigrant and professional from Guatemala, I never imagined that my path would lead me to direct this small state agency in Minnesota and to learn so much while working to advance Latino interests in government. At the same time, I had the chance to do what I like the most: building community to expand opportunities for all through public policy and legislative action. For this, I am very grateful.

I want to thank every member of my team, without their work and support, our many successes would have been impossible. I also thank the MCLA board for trusting me with this work and supporting me in this challenging job. It has been the honor of a lifetime to work with our communities to make a better Minnesota.

In my final message, I want to share some highlights of what I learned during my tenure:


* *Collaboration and coordination* *are key elements to successfully advance policy change.* With a more and more complex world and very rapid changes, we cannot act alone if we expect to understand and resolve multiple challenges and take advantage of opportunities. With scant resources and faced with unprecedented adversities, it is essential to build bridges, nurture trust, and set foundations for ongoing collaborations and coordination through sustainable partnerships. Together we are stronger.
* *Building strong relationships and establishing clear communications* *helps* *to advance issues incrementally.* Politics is the art of the possible. The same applies to conceiving and designing legislation and public policy. Educating, informing, advising based on data and facts with all stakeholders can get you a long way. Remember, we are in this for the long run. Small wins add up to larger ones.
* *Tactics and strategy are not the same things*. Many times, we feel like we are pushed to react quickly to put out fires. Those tactics (or actions) are necessary in the short run, but they can also become overwhelming and depleting. In the midsts of chaos, finding time to envision a strategy (a very detailed plan, if you wish) will help you focus, prioritize and be successful in achieving realistic goals. Rather than trying to do everything, everywhere, all at once--and achieving little, develop a strategy to make a larger impact.
* *Titles are not always important*; *what matters is how you treat people*. In any endeavor, how you treat people and how you relate to them in a respectful and authentic way is more important than the title that you have. As Toni Morrison said: *You are not the work you do; you are the person you are*. In public affairs, building relationships based on earned trust is a must.
* *Joy is part of the game*. "Alegría", is a word that I like very much in Spanish. The struggles we face are real, and obstacles and barriers are everywhere. Nobody teaches us how to navigate the waters and processes of politics, whether it’s the bureaucracy or the legislative process. Sin "alegría", it is hard to get to the next challenge. Sin "alegría", there is no creativity, no motivation, no fuel and no reason to discover and celebrate our wins.
* *One final thing: always remain hopeful and optimistic.* These are two attitudes that keep you going every day when you believe in the purpose and mission of your work. You may not be able to solve everything, but inaction does not lead to anything. By being present, visible, showing up and expressing your ideas, you don’t know how impactful you can be in the short and long run.

These are some of the lessons I learned based on my own lived experience. I never had all the answers and solutions, and I learned from my mistakes. I hope these thoughts resonate with others. The most important thing is that we continue strengthening our institutions, building an inclusive and democratic society so that everyone has opportunities to thrive and make our communities better.

I wish my successor all the best in this next phase. Their success is all communities' success. I hope you welcome them and support them the same way you supported me.

Thank you! Gracias! 

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Pic with Governor Walz

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Encuesta Comunitaria

Ayuda a tu Consejo a representarte mejor

Muchos miembros de nuestra comunidad están respondiendo a la encuesta de MCLA para que sus voces sean escuchadas donde se toman decisiones importantes.

Un encuestado opinó: "Merecemos más respeto de nuestra cultura, reconocimiento de nuestra historia local, espacios comunitarios que sean apoyados públicamente y oportunidades del gobierno para mejorar nuestra salud, seguridad y calidad de vida."

*¿Y tú que piensas?*

Todavía qued.a tiempo para responder a la encuesta de MCLA *antes del 30 de noviembre* Solo te tomará 15 minutos. *Responde en este enlace [ [link removed] ]*. Escoge la opción Español.

Tu *re**spuesta* a esta encuesta es *completamente confidencial y anónima*, pero tu opinión ayudará a MCLA a educar y asesorar a los legisladores de forma más auténtica sobre las aspiraciones de nuestras comunidades. Hoy más que nunca, tu opinión y voz cuentan mucho.

Si tienes alguna pregunta, comunícate con:

Aaron Sepulveda, Director Legislativo y de Políticas en Educación: [email protected]

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Quote Survey
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MCLA Community Needs Assessment Survey

Help your Council represent you better

Many members of our community are responding to the MCLA survey so that their voices can be heard where important decisions are made.

*What do you think?*

There is still time to respond to the MCLA survey *before November 30th*! Your response to this survey is completely *confidential and anonymous*, but your voice will help MCLA more authentically educate and advise legislators on the aspirations of our communities. Today, more than ever, your voice and opinion count!

It only takes less than 15 minutes! *Respond here [ [link removed] ]*.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Aaron Sepulveda, Legislative and Policy Director in Education: [email protected]

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MCLA with the Community / MCLA con la comunidad

Centro Tyrone Guzman unveils one of three Altars de Día de Muertos at the State Capitol

Centro Tyrone Guzmán ("Centro") -with the support of MCLA and the Governor’s Office- unveiled at the State Capitol an Altar de Día de Muertos. Artists Mónica Vega and her daughter Frida Vega installed a beautiful Altar on October 30 which was displayed until November 7.  This is the second occasion that this celebrated tradition is shared at the people's house.

This year's theme was a long river, the River of Death, with chalupas or canoes bringing our departed ones to the other world. Community members, staff at the Capitol, and dignitaries such as Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flannagan, and the Consul of Mexico, Ambassador Alejandra Bologna, visited the Altar and learned about the exhibit and the stories behind its creation.

Special gracias to Centro Tyrone Guzmán and their team for their partnership over the years. We look forward to our continuing collaborations.

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Altar de Muertos
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*El Centro Tyrone Guzman presenta uno de tres Altares de Día de Muertos en el Capitolio Estatal.*

El Centro Tyrone Guzmán (Centro) -con el apoyo de MCLA y la Oficina del Gobernador- instaló uno de tres Altares de Día de Muertos en el Capitolio Estatal. Las artistas Mónica Vega y su hija Frida Vega crearon un hermoso altar el 30 de octubre, el cual estuvo expuesto hasta el 7 de noviembre. Esta es la segunda vez que esta famosa tradición mexicana se comparte en la casa del pueblo.

El tema de este año fue un largo río, el Río de la Muerte, con chalupas o canoas transportado a nuestros seres queridos muertos hacia el otro mundo. Miembros de la comunidad, personal del Capitolio y dignatarios como el Gobernador Walz, la Vicegobernadora Flanagan y la Cónsul de México, Embajadora Alejandra Bologna, visitaron el altar y aprendieron de la exposición y la historia detrás de su creación.

Agradecemos especialmente al Centro Tyrone Guzmán y a su equipo por su colaboración a lo largo de los años. Esperamos continuar estas fructíferas relaciones inter-institucionales.

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Job Opportunities and More / Oportunidades de trabajo y más 

*MN Commerce/Energy Division*

Public Utilities Analyst

Provide highly technical testimony and written documentation for the Department on matters before the MN Public Utilities Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Regional Transmission Organizations, and the state legislature. Develop work plans and strategies for natural gas and electric utility proceedings. Serve as technical expert for the agency in one or more of the following areas: gas and electric rate cases, rate riders, fuel forecasts and true-ups, service reliability & service quality, demand entitlement, hedging, gas planning and operations, depreciation and decommissioning, rate of return and capital structure.

Learn more by searching Job ID *90058* at [link removed] 

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*Common Cause Minnesota *

Senior Organizer [ [link removed] ]. This is a level 2 role with a salary range of $72,100-$89,610.

Questions about the position? Contact Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera: (612)605-7978 [email protected]

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*Equilibrando el Trabajo y el Cáncer: taller centrado en la nutrición.*

Dados los acontecimientos actuales relacionados con los programas de asistencia y el acceso a recursos alimentarios, este tema resulta especialmente oportuno e importante.

Día: Miércoles, 12 de noviembre
Hora: 5:00 p.m.

Registro: Serie: Balancear el trabajo y el cáncer | Cancer and Careers - Cancer and Careers [ [link removed] ]

Esta sesión abordará estrategias prácticas para mantener una alimentación saludable y niveles de energía adecuados mientras se trabaja y se afronta el cáncer o las responsabilidades de cuidado.

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*Event: Stay Ready for DACA (English/Spanish)*

 

Mi CASA in partnership with Juventino Meza, a former DACA-holder is hosting an upcoming *bilingual event (English/Spanish). *This session will provide accurate information, reduce confusion, and help community members prepare if new applications reopen. The goal is not to raise expectations but to make sure people are informed, cautious, and ready.

*Registration:* bit.ly/NuevaDACA [ [link removed] ]

*Date:* Monday, November 17, 2025

*Time:* 6:00–7:30 PM

*Location:* Online or in person in Shakopee "(Link or address will be shared the day before)" *Note:* In-person space is limited and will close once full. Online registration will remain open. No recording will be made available.

*During the session, we will:*

* Share current updates on the DACA case and what we know so far
* Explain who qualifies for renewals and who may qualify if new applications reopen
* Review a sample DACA form (online and paper)
* Help participants start a personal list of documents to prepare for a future filing
* Discuss risks and benefits to consider before applying

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"*Do you have an event or job openings you want to share with the community? **Let us know! Email them to: [email protected]*"

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