Tech Upgrade!

The Organizing Apprenticeship Project is a nonprofit organization that has trained many of the best community organizers in the Midwest. I am a proud 2003 apprentice and I currently serve as the board’s co-chair. I had a successful career as a community organizer with Centro Campesino in part due to the powerful training and guidance I received from OAP.

OAP has evolved from an organization that mainly trained future community organizers to a leading force for racial equity in Minnesota. Through research and policy analysis that thoroughly examines the structural causes and solutions to racial inequity, OAP gives organizers and community organizations real tools for advancing a racial justice agenda. Resources include an annual Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity, a series of Racial Equity Policy Briefs, and budget tools.

For instance OAP is leading the fight for racial equity in our schools. OAP has convened The Education Equity Organizing Collaborative (EEOC), a collaborative of 11 partners and their communities and allies that work to create solutions to the disparate education low-income students, students of color and American Indian students are receiving. The EEOC has recently gained the commitment from the Minnesota Department of Education to work with our community to place equity at the center of excellence for all Minnesota students. This work promises to bring about deep changes in the way schools work to dismantle inequity such as the abysmal achievement gap.

I believe on the work of OAP and this is why I commit my time, talent, and resources to support its work. This holiday season I would like to give OAP the gift of technology. The organization uses most of its resources to support its programs and campaigns. As a result the organization works with outdated computers and lacks basic technology to work in the current times. OAP lacks basic technology such as a working phone system, a computer server, and a screen projector. The limited funds available for organizations like OAP make impossible to buy this technology. Help me raise $2,000 to bring OAP up to date! Contribute online or send your donation before December 31st 2011 to 2525 East Franklin Avenue, Suite 301 Minneapolis, MN 55406, (Memo: Technology). Remember that your donation is tax deductible to the extent permitted by the law.

And thanks!

Jesús Torres

Board Co-Chair