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Children’s Minnesota highlights Employee Resource Groups
Children’s Minnesota is spotlighting these groups as important for a welcoming work environment.
MINNEAPOLIS — Employee Resource Groups can make amazing differences in a workplace, as they can encourage a more welcoming and supportive work atmosphere.
Children’s Minnesota is looking to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace with an Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leadership Summit.
These groups are made up of employees in a workplace who join based on shared characteristics or experiences, such as ethnicity, gender expression and sexual orientation or religious affiliation. Children’s Minnesota shared in a press release that it has eight ERGs that encourage social connections and serve as a business advisory resource.
In this Leadership Summit, companies will gather on Oct. 30 at Youth Lens in St. Paul to share strategies on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. For companies interested in participating, email equity.inclusion@childrensmn.org.
Within four months, two young boys with autism went missing in their communities. Two bodies were later found in open water near their homes.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — A tragic end to the search for a missing boy with autism.
Eden Prairie police say 11-year-old Mohamed Mohamed went missing Sunday night.
Officials say the search was called off after a child’s body was found a few hours later in a pond near Mohamed’s home. It’s the second similar incident in just a few months.
Back in June, officials say a Hopkins boy with autism, 4-year-old Waeys Ali Mohamed, drowned in a creek.
Ellie Wilson with the Autism Society of Minnesota says children with autism are often drawn to water.
“There is a really important statistical connection between the existence of autism and the likelihood of accidents relating to drowning,” Wilson said.
“It is the most common cause of death among autistic children.”
Wilson says children with autism are drawn to water because of the visuals, the movement, and the way it makes them feel.
“Think of the last time you dove into a pool that that feeling of pressure you feel around your body is somewhat of a weighted blanket for someone with autism.”
Wilson says there is an even greater concern in the Somali community.
She says data suggests Somali children are more likely to be diagnosed with autism.
“Even as high some will say as one in sixteen, which is nearly double the rate it is in the mainstream group,” Wilson said.
Jaylani Hussein with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says the Somali community is deeply concerned after two drowning cases in just four months.
“The impact of autism on our community is extremely high,” Hussein said.
He says parent groups are already discussing ideas to improve safety, such as increased access to swimming lessons, signs that warn the community a child with autism lives nearby, and resources for parents so they can secure their homes.
“Basic home modifications, things like alarms or even locks on doors and windows are a very popular thing to talk about,” Wilson says.
Wilson agrees, that all communities need to have a serious discussion, so parents, leaders and law enforcement have the tools they need to keep children safe.
“One of the biggest things we have to do is just talk about is as a community.”
Charles McMillian was one of the first to observe George Floyd’s arrest and eventually his death on May 25, 2020.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — As most around the world saw the video of George Floyd‘s death, Charles McMillian witnessed it in-person. He went on to give an emotional testimony during the murder trial of former Minneapolis Police office Derek Chauvin.
He’s seeking $30,000 for emotional distress. On Monday, the Minneapolis City Council’s Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee passed the settlement claim through to a full council vote.
“My client observed and experienced a very emotional, traumatic experience that changed his life,” McMillian’s attorney, William Walker said.
A spokesperson for the city said Monday it is not commenting.
McMillian isn’t the first resident to file a claim against the City for emotional distress from witnessing George Floyd’s murder. The City Council is expected to discuss McMillian’s claim at the next meeting.
University officials say the protestors entered the building and are causing property damage and restricting people from entering and exiting the building.
MINNEAPOLIS — Officials with the University of Minnesota are urging people to avoid the area around Morrill Hall after protestors entered the building and started damaging property, according to an alert sent to students.
The alert also says the protestors are restricting people from entering and exiting the building.
Multiple Palestinian flags were being flown outside the residence hall. A large sign being held in front of the doors says “Money for education not for bombs and occupation.”
University officials are asking people to avoid the area “until further notice.”
*This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
