Monday, February 14th
5:30-7:30pm
Leighton 305
Liz Kuoppala and Mike Thorsteinson, two leaders on housing issues in Minnesota, will be featured in the 2011 Civic Engagement Series through an event entitled “Housing and Inequality: Issues and Next Steps from Leaders in the Field.” Both speakers will explain the work they do to address current problems with housing and homelessness, and then students will have the opportunity to talk in two small groups with Kuoppala and Thorsteinson over pizza and snacks.
Liz Kuoppala is currently the executive director of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, where she has worked hard to break down stereotypes of homelessness. When presenting to politicians on housing policy, she brings along women who have lived without shelter to speak about their personal experiences, in the hopes that lawmakers will create policy responsive to the needs of real people. Additionally, she serves on the Eveleth City Council, and is leading a campaign to develop women’s political leadership skills. In 2009 Liz was awarded the Ann Bancroft Dream Maker Award, an award given annually to a female leader who encourages and supports the achievements of girls and women.
Mike Thorsteinson works as the executive director of Three Rivers Community Action, Inc., a group focused on addressing the basic needs of residents of southeastern Minnesota. His organization is particularly focused on providing safe and affordable housing options to low- and middle-income families, both for renting and buying. Additionally, Three Rivers Community Action works on issues of childcare, transportation, energy, and senior services. Three Rivers has received several awards for creative solutions impacting poverty through Housing and Community Development initiatives. Michael served 14 years on the Northfield, Minnesota School Board and has served on several Minnesota Legislative and Governor appointed reform initiatives in education and health care. He has served (and continues to serve) on many nonprofit boards and has developed and led two nonprofits
The event is a part of the Civic Engagement Series, sponsored by the ACT Center and Academic Civic Engagement. This year the series is focused on involving Carleton students in conversations about how to create fair and just housing policies. Upcoming events include a panel of Carleton alumni who are passionate about the green housing sector on February 17, as well as a panel of Northfield community leaders on housing programs at the Who is Northfield luncheon.