Spotlight: Breakthrough Twin Cities

“Eight years ago, I was a Cambodian shepherd, a little boy who was separated from his farm and cattle and who came to America. Lost. A little fish in a big new pond, working hard to break out of the life I had been born into, the life of poverty." Learn how Roumany and other young people like him have thrived with the guidance of Breakthrough Twin Cities.

Neighborhood Network Team Meetings

Neighborhood Learning Community

Tuesday, Feb. 25, noon to 1 p.m. at Baker Center

East Side Network Cafe

Monday, Feb. 10, 10 to 11:30 a.m., special panel open to all Network Teams at St. Paul Police headquarters

North End and Friends

Thursday, Feb. 13, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Hancock

Leap Forward Collaborative for Youth

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to noon at Liberty Plaza

Learn more about Neighborhood Network Teams, and let us know if you'd like to be on the listserv for one or more of these groups.

Sprockets Welcomes New Director

If you haven't already heard it from us, the Mayor's office, the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, MinnPost, Asian American Press, KFAI, InsightNews, or another source -- Eyenga Bokamba is Sprockets' new director! We look forward to seeing where her leadership takes the network in 2014!

Save the Date: 2014 Sprockets Network Conference

Less than two months away, our third annual Sprockets Network Conference will be held on Monday, March 3, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Catherine University. More details coming soon!

Issue Brief: Computing and Engineering After School

The Afterschool Alliance takes a look at how out-of-school time programs may be an avenue for engaging students with the computing and engineering fields.

Professional Development Opportunities

Foundational Skills Workshop: Structure and Clear Limits

Friday, Jan. 24, 2014
10 a.m. to noon
Mount Airy Boys and Girls Club

Facilitator: Jocelyn Wiedow, Sprockets

Foundational Skills Workshop: Cooperative Learning

Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Dayton's Bluff Rec Center

Facilitator: Jocelyn Wiedow, Sprockets

Click and search "Sprockets" for class descriptions and registration. Keep an eye on our professional development page for more opportunities, too!

Making Meaning With Multiple Data Sets

After a successful first round on Dec. 3, eight more youth-serving organizations will come together on Jan. 17 for a day of Making Meaning With Multiple Data Sets. Attendees analyze participation, program experience, youth outcomes, and quality practices data in order to form program improvement plans. For those participating, don't forget to submit your improvement plans by Feb. 3!