TESTIMONIALS: IT'S WORKING!

Finnegan's/The Spud Society's financial support has greatly assisted our Youth Advocates at Life’s Missing Link to continue to build one-on-one relationships with their clients which leads to better school outcomes, positive role modeling, and expanding the youth’s feeling of connectedness to their own community. This summer we were able to take our youth on a canoe trip and two of the clients were in awe at seeing the fish in the water, the lily pads and the algae. Many of these activities are first time exposures for our youth to a sporting event, the arts or communing with nature. Their awe is for many of us an everyday occurrence. One youth voiced wanting to bring his family to the water to see what he did. Thanks to Finnegan’s/The Spud Society for impacting Minneapolis youth. - Deb Renshaw, Executive Director, Life’s Missing Link

In 2004 the Spud Society donated two computers and software to Park Plaza, a low income housing facility in North Minneapolis. Since the donation of the computers we were informed that 2 residents got jobs because they were able to use the internet and type up their resumes and cover letters. The Spud Society also hosted an ‘interview clothing drive’ for Park Plaza residents. Here is what a couple of the residents had to say about having access to computers:

I use the computers at Building 525 for job search, email, and also data entry test for Volt. I like the computers because it comes in handy for me. I have twin girls and it's not easy to get around to do the things I need to. I just go downstairs and hop on Yahoo or the Internet and do the things I need to do! - Felicia Nelson

The computers are important to me because I cannot afford to purchase my own computer at this time, so having these computers here on the property helps me a lot. I use the computers to stay in contact with my college via email and also use the internet to do some job searching. - Lia Martin

In 1987, the Ojibwe language was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as being one of the most complex to learn, but that doesn't scare Christina Fairbanks. The University of Minnesota student is one of only several freshmen taking beginning Ojibwe-the language of her tribe-in a class filled with linguistics upperclassmen. Add to this challenge an introductory course in American Indian studies, English composition, and an honors seminar and it is clear that this 2005 Arlington High School graduate is well on her way to reaching her goal of attending law school. Without Admission Possible, "I wouldn't have had as many options and I wouldn't be in the situation I am now where my college is all paid for," Christina says. "All of the resources we had were really amazing." - Christina Fairbanks

"Without Admission Possible I do not believe I would be attending college in the fall of 2005. I never really thought growing up that I would be able to make it to college due to lack of money. I also didn't think I was smart enough. My coach for Admission Possible showed me that I was so much smarter than I gave myself credit for. She showed me that I was not challenging myself enough and that's why I had a lack of confidence in myself. My coach has also showed me ways to afford college through state grants, scholarships, and even loans (as a last resort). Admission Possible has showed me that I can do better then just a high school education. I can be anything I put my mind to." - by Madison Arkadie, an Admission Possible alumnus from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis. Madison is now a freshman attending Hamline University.

Life's Missing Link Testimonials

The Women Educating Women support group:
"WEW feels like home to me," teary eyed Fernetta said around the kitchen counter at a Women Educating Women activity this fall. Fernetta has been involved in WEW for over a year, doing activities such as volunteering at local nonprofits, participating in group discussions and just-for-fun stuff like roller skating. Fernetta is now a graduating senior and will be moving on in her life. "I am really going to miss being a part of this group."

Lindquist Apartments (an apartment facility for homeless youth)
Sara* was one of the first residents to move into Lindquist Apartments. She was coming to us transitioning out of a treatment facility for chemical dependency. From the beginning, she helped set the tone of our community with her cheerful, outgoing, welcoming presence. Sara knew how important her ability to support herself financially and to feel productive would be to her success in sobriety. She stuck it out, and was hired by Bruegger's Bagels, with the opportunity to take on managerial responsibilities with the company in the future.

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