April 2026 Newsletter
ACT launches 50 for 50 Go Fund Me Campaign
Jennifer Walton
For nearly five decades, Advocating Change Together (ACT) has helped people with disabilities across Minnesota build leadership, community, and a movement for inclusion. Today, that work continues through the Self-Advocates of Minnesota (SAM) Network—but we are at a turning point. The funding that has sustained this work is shifting, and disability-led organizations are being asked to do more with less. ACT is navigating changes in funding that require structural adjustments, including changes in staffing. We are making these decisions thoughtfully to ensure this work continues—and remains led by and for people with disabilities.
That’s why ACT has launched the 50 for 50 Campaign—raising $50,000 as we move toward our 50th anniversary in 2029. This effort is focused on strengthening our foundation and building the stability needed to carry this work forward. Three self-advocates have already gotten us started with $68—an act of leadership and ownership that reflects what this movement is all about. Now, we’re inviting you to join them. Your gift helps sustain disability-led leadership across Minnesota—from local self-advocacy groups to statewide connection, training, and community building. This is not charity—it is investment, solidarity, and disability justice in action.
Information here: https://gofund.me/08743228b
Question of the Month
Numbers
Question: When was the 100th anniversary of Hershey's Kisses?A.) 2007
B.) 2008
C.) 2009
D.) 2010
Check if you got it right! Answer to the Question of the Month at the end of the Newsletter!
Nate's Yoga and Meditation
Nate Clark
Physical self-care: Exercise, healthy diet, hydration, access to health care, and getting enough sleep.
Simple yoga pose
Kneel on the floor (use a folded blanket or bolster to wedge between your calves and thighs if necessary), with your thighs perpendicular to the floor, and touch your inner knees together. Slide your feet apart, slightly wider than your hips, with the tops of the feet flat on the floor. Angle your big toes slightly in toward each other and press the top of each foot evenly on the floor.
Exhale and sit back halfway, with your torso leaning slightly forward. Wedge your thumbs into the backs of your knees and draw the skin and flesh of the calf muscles toward the heels. Then sit down between your feet.
If your buttocks don’t comfortably rest on the floor, raise them on a block or thick book placed between the feet. Make sure both sitting bones are evenly supported. Allow a thumb’s-width space between the inner heels and the outer hips. Turn your thighs inward and press the heads of the thigh bones into the floor with the bases of your palms. Then lay your hands in your lap, one on the other, palms up, or on your thighs, palms down.
Firm your shoulder blades against the back ribs and lift the top of your sternum like a proud warrior. Widen the collarbones and release the shoulder blades away from the ears. Lengthen the tailbone into the floor to anchor the back torso.
At first stay in this pose from 30 seconds to 1 minute. Gradually extend your stay up to 5 minutes. To come out, press your hands against the floor and lift your buttocks up, slightly higher than the heels. Cross your ankles underneath your buttocks, sit back over the feet and onto the floor, then stretch your legs out in front of you. It may feel good to bounce your knees up and down a few times on the floor.
What is happening in April?
April11th - 11-12:30 PM - SAM SW Regional Meeting
SAM SW will have its next regional meeting in collaboration with The Arc Minnesota and Open Arts Minnesota
-Saturday, April 11th from 11:00-12:30 PM
-New Ulm Community Center.
All are welcome to attend. For more information on the meeting contact Wilbur Neushwander-Frink at wilburdfrink@gmail.com or Nate Clark at swregionintern@arcminnesota.org.
April 24 + 25 - SAM SW Play - 'Boxes'
Boxes: An Original Play by The United We Stand Players of New Ulm
-Friday, April 24th 7:00 PM and Saturday, April 25th at 2:00 PM
-New Ulm Community Center
600 N. German St., New Ulm, MN 56073
For more information contact Wilbur Neushwander-Frink at wilburdfrink@gmail.com
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Also taking place:
-Coffee Chats on Mondays! 10-11AM Virtually!
-Disability Power Day is every Thursday at 10AM!
-Book Club is meeting weekly! 10-11AM on Wednesdays!
-Happy Hour will he hosted at Dual Citizen Brewing on Thursday, April 16th
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ACT Spotlight
Carly Mellott
Each month ACT interviews someone from our community. This month we checked in with Carly! Carly is a member of the ACT board and incredible community member!
About Carly:
Coffee, tea, or something else?
- Coffee and tea as long as they are flavored. I'll admit though any coffee with mint or butterscotch syrup has a special place in my heart.
Favorite Animal?
-Horses, dogs, and cats - pretty much any farm animal!
Passions outside of work
-Outside of ACT, I ride horses, play sports, and love to be with people I care about. Not a fan of cold - even after living in Minnesota my entire life.
Creative Corner
Seth Wagner
This month, we have poetry from Seth Wagner! When asked about himself, Seth had the following to say: "Seth Wagner is a new advocate for disability rights. He is on the Autism Spectrum. He is inspired to write by his friends and family."
Enjoy his poem:
Nature
by Seth Wagner
Nature is beautiful.
The flowers that bloom yearly are vibrant.
Covering the world with happiness and warmth.
It brightens the days of people who are struggling, inspiring them to make things like art, poetry and music.
Nature can be dark as well.
When life begins to decay and wither.
When the snow comes down, covering the remains of what was once vibrant.
Cascading the happiness we once had.
Freezing our hopes and dreams for a while.
It doesn't last. Hope isn't completely gone.
The cold will subside, bringing back the life we once knew.
Restoring life and beauty to the world
Monthly Vocab. / Terms to Know
Jenny Svihel
Term: Supported Decision Making (SDM)
Supported Decision-making is a way to plan your life and achieve little and big goals—with people you choose to help you.
What is Supported Decision Making?
· A way to plan your life—you are in control
· Helps you achieve your goals
· A way to make YOUR OWN DECISIONS with support!
· Helps you be self-determined, independent and empowered
· Helps you make big and little choices
What is Support?
· How you are helped to make good decisions and choices
· Help or support to meet your day-to-day needs
· Support is different for everyone!
· Support is people listening to you
· Support is asking questions—and you get answers
Supported Decision Making is about....
· Accepting responsibility for the decisions you make
· Looking at your strengths...and challenges
· Listening to what others might say
· Asking for help when needed
· Being brave to speak up for yourself in the life YOU want—Self Determination
This topic is massive and could be talked about for hours (In fact, ACT + SAM host a class on the topic!), but it basically comes down to one thing. Everybody gets to make decisions about their own life.
Song of the Month
Step by Step - Pete Seeger
Link to Song - Step by Step by Pete Seeger
Step by step, the longest march
Can be won, can be won
Many stones can form an arch
Singly none, singly none
And by union what we will
Can be accomplished still
Drops of water turn a mill
Singly none, singly none
Step by step, the longest march
Can be won, can be won
Many stones can form an arch
Singly none, singly none
And by union what we will
Can be accomplished still
Drops of water turn a mill
Singly none, singly none
April Wrap-Up!
Thanks for reading along this month! As the newsletter comes back from its break - you can expect its release on the first Tuesday of each month! If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please reach out to ACT@selfadvocacy.org! We are also always looking for folks to get involved, if you have something you want to share, let us know!
Answer to the Question of the Month: A.) 2007