Author Archives for Youthprise

Inspiring Community Involvement Through Doughnuts

Published on December 18, 2019 7:11 pm | Written by Youthprise

About two years ago, a craving for a good doughnut led Youthprise staff to a doughnut shop in Dinkytown where they discovered the creative force of Bradley Taylor.

Banyan Grows Relationships through Food

Published on November 26, 2019 10:02 pm | Written by Youthprise

At Banyan Community Center, snacktime is just time to refuel with a hot meal after a long school day. It's time for cross-age conversations between kids and community members.

Hear Us Out | Episode #6

Published on September 6, 2018 6:03 pm | Written by Youthprise

On this episode, GaoZong and Mai Shoua explore mental health and healthy practices with guests, Tizon Matthews and Birgit Kelly of Tubman.

Hear Us Out | Episode #5

Published on August 1, 2018 3:42 pm | Written by Youthprise

On this episode, GaoZong and Mai Shoua talk to Sexual Health Educator, Sharai Sims about sexual harassment, sexual health, and consent.

Hear Us Out | Episode #4

Published on July 3, 2018 4:24 pm | Written by Youthprise

On this episode, GaoZong and Mai Shoua talk to their friend, Lary Lopez about coming out and challenges with identifying as LGBTQ.

GaoZong and Mai Shoua Interview

Published on June 15, 2018 4:02 pm | Written by Youthprise

At 18-years-old, GaoZong and Mai Shoua are using the power of digital storytelling to shift the narrative about young people in Minnesota.

Health & Safety

Published on June 6, 2018 11:15 am | Written by Youthprise

Learn about our work with Better Together Hennepin in this digital story from our 2017 Annual Report, Amplify Youth Voices!

Economic Opportunity

Published on June 6, 2018 11:10 am | Written by Youthprise

Learn about our support of the East African Youth at Work Initiative in this digital story from our 2017 Annual Report, Amplify Youth Voices!

Learning & Leadership

Published on June 6, 2018 11:00 am | Written by Youthprise

Learn about how Youthprise is gamifying youth research in this digital story from our 2017 Annual Report, Amplify Youth Voices!

Hear Us Out | Episode #3

Published on June 5, 2018 4:29 pm | Written by Youthprise

Shmoney, Shenanigans Among Social Beings Episode #3

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20 hours ago

Working MN High School Students Need and Deserve the Money They’ve Earned

Thousands of #Minnesota high school students have lost their jobs because of #COVID19, but a 1939 law means they don't qualify for #unemploymentinsurance. Contact your legislators and urge the #mnleg to pass a temporary fix this special session: bit.ly/3fr3zek

It's hard to believe that in July 2020—more than 80 years after the law was passed—we are having this conversation. Minnesota legislators have an opportunity this week when the special session convenes to provide these students with the money they’ve earned.

Lawmakers from both parties are working on a temporary fix that would make high school students ages 16+ eligible for the same unemployment assistance a non-student worker in the same job would receive. These are youth who have been part of the workforce and whose employers have already been paying into the system for them.

Many think of high school jobs as a source of “pocket change” for going to the mall or hanging out with friends. This perspective overlooks the very real inequities faced by the working poor and lower-income folks across our state. The reality is that many Minnesota high school students rely on these wages to support basic needs like food, rent, and utilities and are a vital part of their family’s household income. Access to unemployment benefits is about survival for everyone, not just those no longer in high school.

Here are just a few of the stories of young people impacted by this unequal law:

Carlos is an 18-year-old student who suffers from myelogenous leukemia. He depends on daily chemotherapy treatments to keep him alive and well. Because he lost his job and doesn’t qualify for unemployment benefits, he currently can’t afford the medication.

Walter is 17-years-old and worked for several years at a carwash before being laid off because of COVID-19. He used the money he earned to support several family members including his mother, younger brother, and aunt.

Kasey is one of the many high school students from Greater Minnesota who lost her job because of the pandemic. She used her wages to help her family pay the bills while trying to save some for college. Now, she’s left with no income because she was denied unemployment insurance.

Cole, an 18-year-old, applied for unemployment benefits before graduating from high school and initially received a check for $3,700, which he promptly used to pay for bills that were due. When the state discovered he was still a student at the time, they sent him a letter demanding the money back.
If these students lived in nearly every other state, including Iowa, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, they would be eligible for either state or federal benefits. Minnesota’s law is especially punitive because it not only makes high school students ineligible for state unemployment benefits, but the Department of Employment and Economic Development has ruled that it also prevents high school students from receiving federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

If these students lived in nearly every other state, including Iowa, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, they would be eligible for either state or federal benefits.

An inspiring group of youth behind the Don’t Forget Us Campaign have been leading the advocacy effort on this issue from the very start. This week, legislators have an opportunity to come together and provide equal treatment for the many enterprising high school students in our state who have lost their jobs because of a global pandemic. These students have been waiting for months—it’s time to give them the benefits they’ve earned.

You can help by going here: docs.google.com/document/d/1VqE7nqVRykDT3Bkf7C3uD2DYLRUu7ZBxtHnJBSLqXPg/edit and contacting your local legislators. Urge our leaders to take action and stand up for youth and all Minnesota’s families!

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