Eric Ortiz

A common sense approach to ending gun violence

Guns kill more children in the United States than anything else. It's a shocking statistic. But it's true. In 2023, firearms killed 4,456 children and teens ages 1 to 19 (out of 46,728 gun …

I received a nice, unexpected email a few weeks ago. The subject was “Quick anecdote.” I just wanted to share that one of our new after school students, who came to us after …

Good things take time. Look at the East Phillips community's struggle to win control of the Roof Depot site . For a decade, a broad coalition of East Phillips neighbors and supporters have …

We can do more for the opioid crisis

We have a growing problem that not a lot people understand. Behaviors are happening on the streets and in schools that are unprecedented. Principals, teachers, and behavioral specialists can't …

The power of community journalism

Healing begins with opportunities, and opportunities promote growth.  That's why we developed the Youth Community Journalism Institute at the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation . We want to …

The Twin Cities Book Festival is Minnesota's largest gathering of readers and one of the region's premier art events. It also might be the best-kept secret in the country . Presented annually by …

Ciudad de México está a 2,106 millas de Minneapolis. Pero no tienes que viajar tan lejos para experimentar la auténtica cultura latina. El Mercado Central está a unos …

Research shows that negativity is four to seven times more powerful than positivity. We are hardwired for negativity . This negative bias is why we focus more on "bad things" to make sense of …

The power of cooperation

Our brain grows every time we make a mistake. Really, it's science . In that case, the world should be filled with geniuses at every turn.  So why does it feel like we're surrounded by a …

It's hard to get a consensus on anything in the United States these days. But one issue unites the whole country. According to " The State of Kids and Families in America 2024 ," a report from …

Mexico City is 2,106 miles from Minneapolis. But you don't have to travel that far to experience authentic Latino culture. The Mercado Central , or Central Market, is a few minutes from any …

Todos tienen una voz, pero no todas las voces son escuchadas hoy. Este no es un problema nuevo. Mis abuelos paternos, ambos mexicano-americanos de primera generación que crecieron en Los …

A solution for school disengagement

T he world has changed. Our education system has not. As a result, school is broken . It's so bad that many kids don't go to school anymore. Chronic absenteeism was an issue before the pandemic. …

Getting more connected in a human way

Happy New Year. Welcome to 2024. Are you happy to be here? Have you already started writing an inspiring 366-page book this leap year (one page for every day)? Or are you still recovering from …

Marissa Bader spreads joy to the world

Be a kind human. That has been Marissa Bader's life goal since her dad taught her that how we treat others matters, that no human is less or more important than any other, and to always treat …

A little local support goes a long way

Giving Tuesday was on Nov. 28 this year, and it was a rough one. Rough, of course, is a relative term. Giving Tuesday 2023 raised an estimated $3.1 billion in donations to nonprofits, according …

Youth have a lot to say about gun violence

Ask 10 people what they think about guns. You might get 10 different answers. Gun ownership is a fundamental right. We need stricter regulation. There are too many guns. There aren't enough. …

Everyone has a voice. But not every voice gets heard today. This isn't a new problem.  My grandma and grandpa on my dad's side were both first-generation Mexican-Americans who grew up in …

There are alternatives to incarceration

I am reading an excellent book. It is called "Until We Reckon" and was written by Danielle Sered, the executive director of Common Justice , a unique program in New York City that offers alternatives …

Imagine a future of nonviolence

'Nonviolence is the most effective method to work for rights.' The only constant is change. Life either gets better or worse. These days, the world is on fire. Metaphorically and literally. And …

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