November 15, 2000
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This fall, T.K. Meahyen, Madison’s son, will be a ninth grader at the Academy of Holy Angels. In June, 1991, Madison and T.K. arrived in Minneapolis from Liberia as refugees after Madison was wounded in combat in the Liberian Civil War. Much has changed in the years since their arrival, but not without struggle and sacrifice. Madison has graduated from college (University of St. Thomas, Class of ’95); the remainder of the family (his wife and other children) arrived in 1993; a baby girl was born in 1996; and the family bought a small home in Minneapolis. The Meahyens are determined people, pursuing the American Dream. And MinneapolisNEXT is proud to help them.
In the year 2000, NEXT sent over 25 young people to summer camps and now has ten scholarship recipients in local middle schools and high schools. In 1999, 93% of all funds raised directly benefited youth in the community. From tutors to musical instruments to dance lessons, we are succeeding in helping young people, but more importantly, we are providing determined students and their parents with choices.
MinneapolisNEXT is now beginning our annual fund drive with a goal of raising $100,000 in the fall of 2000. Please call us for more information or to arrange a personal meeting. We welcome your input and any contribution. Remember, NEXT is a 501c(3) non-profit organization, eligible for matching contributions from many employers and organizations.
Help us build our community, one dream at a time.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Rexford Holland
President, MinneapolisNEXT