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Planting seeds for a healthier, more compassionate future: CAA’s work with north Minneapolis youth
October 5, 2023
We’re excited to share about a recent project with young people in the Shingle Creek area of north Minneapolis. Tamuno Imbu, our community organizer, held a series of classes aimed at engaging youth in Creekview Park. This project is a collaboration with the Park District. It aims to introduce youth to the idea of a plant-based diet and help them develop their leadership skills.
Over the course of three Thursdays, Tamuno met with young people aged 12-17 who often spend time at the park. He engaged them in conversations about the benefits of eating plant-based foods and shared delicious vegan foods. At the same time, the park district had a leadership initiative, and we joined forces to incorporate leadership training into our classes.
During these sessions, the young participants enjoyed such vegan treats as vegan shakes and spaghetti. (Check out our information below for some of the recipes he used). This not only satisfied their taste buds but also showed them that plant-based meals can be tasty. It opened their eyes that it is possible to eat a diet that is kinder to the planet and their own health.
Strategic Planning: Shaping CAA’s Future Together
October 27, 2023
CAA board and staff are engaged in a Strategic Planning process to guide our work for the next three years. Specific goals will be set including targets to measure progress and success in each area of our work. Our first step was to hear from key stakeholders in the organization: that includes staff, board, donors, volunteers and those who read our weekly emails and attend events. That means you!
You might remember that in the past few months, we asked you to fill out a survey. We wanted to know more about how you’re involved with our organization, what you think of the work we do, and your ideas for what we should do in the future. Over 130 of you generously took the time to respond! Your input was invaluable – thank you!
BIPGM Summit: making connections and empowering change in the plant-based community
October 26, 2023
The Jump Off: Life and Liberation Summit for Black, Indigenous, and People of the Global Majority (BIPGM) was held on October 23rd. CAA’s Community Organizer, Tamuno Imbu, arranged the event to create a space to celebrate and uplift underrepresented voices in the plant-based community. It brought together inspiring individuals who are passionate about social justice and plant-based living.
The Summit aimed to:
- Strengthen collective power by voicing passions
- Organize to support issues affecting Twin Cities BIPGM neighbors
- Identify next steps for action
Get to know Dexter Thomas, CAA Volunteer
October 19, 2023
In 2005, Dexter read ‘Strategic Nonviolence for Animal Liberation’ by Freeman Wicklund. This book introduced him to CAA and the philosophy of strategic nonviolence which was our focus at that time.
This approach inspired his activism in Utah, where he lived. Implementing CAA’s approach helped bring about tangible transformations and measurable progress for animal rights there. He is proud of the changes he helped facilitate and attributes much of that to the principles he learned from CAA.
In April 2021, Dexter moved to Minnesota from Utah with his partner and their four adopted cats. They have embraced the vibrant local culture and are exploring all the Twin Cities has to offer. Contributing to CAA’s mission is high on his list of priorities. Most recently, he volunteered on the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Committee. He enjoyed supporting its work to promote vegan cuisine and bring it into the mainstream.
Meet Hot Wheels: The joyful Jersey cow of Herbivorous Acres
October 17, 2023
We want to introduce you to a lovable, curious, and spirited five-month-old Jersey cow. Hot Wheels is one of the most recent residents at Herbivorous Acres.
Hot Wheels’ journey to the sanctuary started in May 2023 when he was rescued from a dairy farm. Hot Wheels was deemed too small to be sold for cheap veal, and as a male, not profitable to the dairy industry. Herbivorous Acres rescued him from certain death and gave him a forever home.
Hot Wheels arrived at the sanctuary with his twin brother, Stretch, and they weren’t in the best shape. Both were very sick with pneumonia and extremely high temperatures. The dedicated team at Herbivorous Acres worked tirelessly to nurse them back to health. Unfortunately, Stretch didn’t make it and died of cardiomyopathy last June.
Vegan Boards | November 2023 | Vegan Recipe Club
October 13, 2023
The cookbook selection for November is Vegan Boards (2021) by Kate Kasbee. Join us on November 21 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
If you are curious about vegan cooking, this club is for you! Each month participants make three recipes from popular cookbooks then share their reflections with the group in an online meeting. Novice to expert cooks are welcome, as are interested non-cooks. Registration not required.
The publisher of this month’s featured cookbook says: “Finally, a book of beautiful food board ideas for snacks, parties, and family meals that fit your plant-based diet. Serving artfully arranged foods on boards or platters is extremely popular, but until now, all the books on the subject have been full of meats, cheeses, and other animal products. Vegan Boards is the first book to make this trend accessible to people who follow a plant-based diet. The results are delectable—and gorgeous to behold.“
Get to know Hannah Milos: one of CAA’s newest Board members
September 28, 2023
Hannah Milos started volunteering with CAA in 2022, helping with events like Twin Cities VegFest, the Annual Vegan Chili Cook-Off, and the Twin Cities Plant-Based Bike Crawl. In the summer of 2023, she attended the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit with CAA, where she learned valuable skills and resources for being a better activist. This inspired her to join the board in August 2023.
Hannah appreciated her year of volunteering with CAA, finding events like VegFest, the Vegan Chili Cookoff, and the Plant-Based Bike Crawl both creative and fun. She enjoyed meeting fellow vegans, volunteers, and CAA staff. Her participation in the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit exposed her to passionate activists and organizations, fueling her desire to be a more active activist.
Welcome New CAA Board Member: Andrew Hamilton
September 28, 2023
Andrew Hamilton joins the board of CAA with a big heart for animals. He’s been a dedicated volunteer and board member at the Animal Rights Coalition for over fifteen years, where he’s led vegan cooking classes, hosted waffle parties, and organized nearly one hundred Meetups at all-vegan restaurants.
By day, Andrew is a public school teacher in the city, and during his winter, spring, and summer breaks, he loves exploring museums, visiting gay bars, and trying out all-vegan eateries. He shares his home with a happy senior rescue dog and lives in Minnetonka.
Meet Mitch Bermel, a new CAA board member
September 28, 2023
Meet Mitch Bermel, a new CAA board member who’s passionate about our mission to promote empathy for animals and encourage plant-based diets. Mitch, a dedicated volunteer and donor, believes CAA holds untapped potential and is eager to shape its future, especially through strategic planning.
Mitch brings nonprofit experience from his work at Legal Assistance of Dakota County. He began volunteering with CAA in January 2021 and was active on the Development Committee. He appreciates CAA’s community focus and aims to help expand its outreach efforts, such as we did with the cornhole tournament in Summer 2022, which he helped organize.
Relive the fun of Twin Cities Veg Fest 2023—or see what you missed!
September 21, 2023
The reviews are pouring in, and they are filled with positivity! With over 5,000 attendees, Twin Cities Veg Fest 2023 was a huge hit. Survey responses are overflowing with praise for the wide array of activities and booths. People loved everything – from the fantastic vendors with delicious food to the fun activities, tasty food demonstrations, and exciting giveaways. The music and speakers were a hit too, making sure there was something enjoyable for everyone. And who could forget the excitement of our surprise celebrity guest, Ms. Tabitha Brown, who generously took time to visit with vendors and attendees and even posted a reel about it on her Instagram account!
But it’s not just about the fun; the event also made a significant impact for the animals. Over 50% of attendees were not yet vegan. We were excited to see that the vast majority of them expressed their commitment to taking steps toward a more compassionate lifestyle. Many said they would cut down on dairy and/or eggs, while others pledged to reduce their purchases of products made from animals. Almost everyone indicated their intention to share this newfound information with others.