Egalitario Midyear Updates

A Dream in the Making ...

This first year has proven to be a relatively steep learning curve, accompanied by some victories and some typical setbacks. Although we’d like to become allies in programs like those in the Twin Cities that support homelessness initiatives, we’re finding that there are gaps in communication and accountability in how groups collaborate. Chalk that up to being nascent and naive. The bottom line: we’re new kids on the block, but we’re determined to succeed, no matter what the political landscape looks like, or what adversity we face as we grow—we’re in this for the long haul.

Programs

Housing First

• Success: We’ve discovered who does it best, how, where, and why.

• Challenges: Building alliances within the Twin Cities network of homeless initiatives and navigating the surge of policy changes, caveats, and aggressive actions resulting from new leadership in D.C.
  

Parks and Recreation Digital Upgrades

• Success: We identified areas where serious gaps exist and have the means to address them, as well as embellishing the overall experience with some innovative ideas that would be intriguing to all ages.

• Challenges: Getting significant grants can take up to 18 months. This makes it challenging to secure the necessary funding to make reasonable inroads and have a meaningful impact.

  
  

New Allies and Partner Consultants

As the year has unfolded, we’ve been fortunate to make new allies and partners as we work on programs that require professional input, feedback, and fresh ideas. As part of our program to modernize the parks and recreation experience, we had the pleasure of working with Patty Born, an adjunct professor at Hamline University in Environmental Education, located in St. Paul, MN. With her help and insights, we gained a deeper understanding of additional ways to connect with sustainability proponents and professionals, as well as learned about key grants available in Minnesota. It’s been an invaluable experience working with such a friendly expert in the field of progressive environmental education.

Innovation

Homelessness, AI, and UBI

Informed by traditional research and augmented with findings from the Gemini AI Homelessness program's prompts, we’ve opened up new doors of opportunity. I’ll write more about our findings soon, detailing where we see our best opportunities for effectuating lasting social impact.