inspired

After the loss of her son to the opioid epidemic, a Minnesota mother seeks to change the outcome for others

Colleen Ronnei, founder of Change the Outcome.

Buoyed by support from bestselling author Cheryl Strayed, Colleen Ronnei is bringing her educational outreach into schools across the state.

Former Lost Boy of South Sudan wants to help young people in his impoverished home country go to college

Many of last year’s scholarship recipients became medical students.

Partnering with a St. Paul friend, Augustino Ting Mayai wants to boost education in an area where the average income is below $1 a day.

You can help

Volunteers gathered at the workstation tables at Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids.

Opportunities abound to help your community

Partners in Policymaking celebrates 35 years of advocacy and training for people with disabilities

Colleen Wieck stood with several people in attendance for her 40th class of Partners in Policymaking. From left: Sumukha Terakanambi, Elizabeth Marsh,

Colleen Wieck, executive director of the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Administration, reflects on the program's early challenges and considerable progress.

A graceful way to request — and provide — help in a health crisis

CaringBridge wants to get the word out about its underused planning tool that lets loved ones volunteer for patients' and caregivers' specific requests.

Whittier School community education coordinator leads and learns from neighborhood kids

Jeff "Nacho" Carlson guides Minneapolis youth and fellow mentors to green a small piece of the planet.

Greek fisherman now pays to pull plastic out of the ocean

This year, he expects his program to gather nearly 200 tons of plastic. That's more than 7,500 pounds of plastic every week.

A fighter, a friend and a frequent volunteer are celebrated this month in 'Who Inspires You'

One faced a dire medical diagnosis with courage, another buoyed her neighbor during COVID. And a third, at 89, is a pillar of River Falls, Wis.

Girl Scout cookies help fund long-awaited play space for shelter dogs

A troop of 11-year-olds from Sauk Rapids planned, paid for and built a new play area for a St. Cloud animal shelter.

Run-DMC's Darryl McDaniels aims to change lives of foster kids with Camp Felix

The pioneering rapper from Queens has made it his mission to inspire, educate and entertain New York City kids in the foster care system.

Despite huge challenges facing Minnesota teachers, here's why these two stay

Ira Sanders and Ann Bolsem — both nominated as 2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year — are determined to continue helping their students.

Hopi teens see need for skateboarding park, make it happen

The project honors the Hopi cultural value of sumi'nangwa — coming together for the greater good.

The unexpected power of random acts of kindness

You can help

Get involved with volunteer work

St. Paul nonprofit works to boost literacy rates among children of color

Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute is distributing more books to Twin Cities kids this year thanks to a new grant and fundraiser.

Minnesotan tackles genocide prevention, women's rights awareness one city at a time

Priscilla Hagerman received the University of Minnesota Inna Meiman Human Rights Award for her work.

Retired Minnetonka barber cuts hair for donations — to feed the poor in South Africa

Every Tuesday morning, 87-year-old Tom Gorzycki sets up shop, asking only that clients help him fill his donation jar.

DC's pioneering 'Baby Bonds' plan aims to narrow wealth gap

The program will provide children of the city's poorest families with up to $25,000 when they reach adulthood, to use for education or other purposes.