Twin Cities
Twin Cities Summer of Solutions 2012
As one the largest urban area in Minnesota, the Twin Cities, comprised of St. Paul and Minneapolis, is diverse and dynamic. The Twin Cities program is working in low income neighborhoods to build a green economy where it is most needed.
Our program is committed to the principles of social entrepreneurship and anti-oppression in the course of building that green economy.
- Through the Alliance to ReIndustrialize for a Sustainable Economy (ARISE), pursued the creation of mixed use green manufacturing sites in the Twin Cities, particularly at the Ford plant in Saint Paul that is slated to close in June 2011
- Partnered with Sibley Bike Depot to expand bike access across the Twin Cities
- Worked to build a community-owned energy future in South Minneapolis, working with Cooperative Energy Futures through the Our Power campaign.
Program Leaders
Ruby Levine – ruby.levine@gmail.com: Ruby lives in South Minneapolis. She is a recent graduate of Macalester College and spends her time working on Summer of Solutions and its projects locally and nationally. She is excited about: energy efficiency, empowering other young people, cooking for other people, and spreadsheets.
Daria Kieffer – dariakieffer@gmail.com: Daria is a junior Sociology/Anthropology/Spanish major at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. She’s been involved in SOS for 3 years now, and is excited about: biking, delicious food, cartwheels, painting, potlucks, making lists, and education
Courtney Dowell – courtneydowell@gmail.com
Our Power
Our Power is working to create a united community around a better energy future in South Minneapolis, one that represents and engage the many perspectives and background of everyone. It is a community-wide campaign that unites residents, businesses, organizations, and elected officials. Our Power offers concrete opportunities for local residents and businesses to start improving their energy situation; it’s an educational campaign combined with implementation of energy improvements that are accessible to all, from energy saving behavioral changes and efficiency measures, to energy-generating small scale renewables.