Minnesota Social Entrepreneur to Deploy Rapid Response Teams Nationally to Defuse Community Tension
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Marnita's Table, a non-profit that bridges differences to bring communities together, is actively funding Rapid Response Teams to help defuse conflict in crisis situations. The Rapid Response Team will utilize the model of Intentional Social Interaction (IZI) created by Marnita's Table as a way to create meaningful conversation among people of differing backgrounds and experiences to create shared understanding and trust. In our world characterized by ongoing inequality, injustice and growing uncertainty, creating the social infrastructure that bridges the gap across our differences is invaluable. Too often, our differing experiences and backgrounds are used to separate and divide. Instead, these differences can be used to catalyze, to empower, and to transform our workplaces, our communities and our society.
"When the next Charlottesville or Parkland occurs, we plan to be there within days," promises Marnita Schroedl, Founder and President of Marnita's Table.
Marnita's Table is recognized for its model of Intentional Social Interaction (IZI). The model has been deployed by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Catalyst Initiative of the Minneapolis Foundation, the United Way of Steele County, and 25 other organizations and communities. For over a decade, measurable outcomes of greater understanding, relationship creation, shared support and newfound connection are what the IZI program has delivered.
Intentional Social Interaction relies on building welcoming spaces where people feel accepted and share a cross-cultural feast during a three-hour guided set of interactions that builds trust and begin lasting relationships. "IZI treats everyone as equals," explains Schroedl, "and builds social capital by dispelling pre-conceived perceptions of 'the other.'"
As many participants have shared, IZI gives people a way to feel heard and to hear others, so that a community can come together instead of come apart. In this same light, Rapid Response Teams will build a counter narrative to the ever-present fear and suspicion that divides families and communities amidst crises.
In its fourteen years, Marnita's Table has brought nearly 50,000 people together. In post-session surveys, 98% of those who attend one three-hour IZI event stated they felt as though they belonged and wanted to be invited back.
On Saturday, November 3rd, Marnita's Table is hosting its 'Start The Conversation' fundraiser, which will bring together over 400 changemakers, community leaders and rising voices around a cross-cultural feast to learn how the Intentional Social Interaction (IZI) is creating shared understanding and connection.
We at Marnita's Table are actively raising $1 million to fund 5+ Rapid Response Teams that can deploy within three days to communities experiencing stress. Our goal is to secure funding for (at least) one Rapid Response Team at our November 3rd event. The Rapid Response Team initiative will be a valuable and scalable extension of our core work, which generates an operating budget from clients we partner with to inspire meaningful relationships and change in their organizations and communities.
Tickets and sponsorships are available at https://www.marnitastable.org/stc/.
Marnita's Table 'Start the Conversation' Fundraiser – Greed, Justice, Generosity.
Saturday, November 3rd - 7:00-10:00 pm
St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church
3450 Irving Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408
For further information, send an email to Elijah Fortson ([email protected]) or give us a call (612-928-7744).
Contact
Elijah Fortson
[email protected]
612-928-7744
SOURCE Marnita's Table
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