****A link has been emailed to all registrants for this meeting. If you do not see it, please check your junk mail or email membership@mnsecondchance.org****

Please join us on Friday, September 18th from 10am-12pm for LBGTQ+ Responsivity.  In this training, participants will learn ways to provide affirming and inclusive services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer clients. More specifically, they will learn about LGBTQ+ identities, gender and sexuality and how these identities intersect within the criminal justice system. Participants will be able to examine their own prejudice, assumptions, and privilege and think about steps that they can take to build their cultural competency and provide responsive and affirming services for all clients.

About the trainer: Maria Kamenska has been employed with Hennepin County for 7+ years. Throughout this time, she has had experience as a correctional officer, a juvenile probation officer, and an adult probation officer. She currently works with Transitional Age Youth clients, 18-24 years old, who are on high-risk supervision. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology through the University of Minnesota and a Master’s of Science in Public Safety Executive Leadership through St. Cloud State University. While Maria loves working specifically with clients as a supervising agent, it is macro-level work that truly fuels her passion for creating a just and more equitable criminal justice system for all clients. Fortunately she has had the privilege to be engaged in various projects such as developing the first Transition Age Youth probation unit in the State of Minnesota and creating a policy for LGBTQ2S+ clients and employees in Hennepin County. As a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community, Maria acknowledges the disproportionate over-representation of these clients within the justice system and understands that this population has specifics needs and concerns that may make correctional involvement even more difficult. When Maria is not working with her clients, she teaches in the Criminal Justice department at Hamline University. She is incredibly involved in the community is also currently the lead organizer for the Justice 4 Myon Coalition.

Please register for this event here. Training is free for members and $20 for non-members. At the trainers request, members of MCA and the Juvenile Justice Committee can also register for this training at no-cost by emailing membership@mnsecondchance.org.