UPCOMING EVENTS>>>

Check back for more upcoming events!

NEWS>>>

After many years of collaboration and partnership with school counselors, Project SUCCESS is honored to have been recognized with the first-ever Minneapolis Metro School Counselor Association Friend of Counseling Award. Executive Director Adrienne Diercks was presented with the award on June 17 at the Association's annual gathering. Jackie Mosconi, South High School Counselor and MMSCA President, and Shelly Landry, Lead Counselor for Minneapolis Public Schools and Past President of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, presented the award, acknowledging how Project SUCCESS has worked with school counselors to help young people succeed in life. We are so grateful for this partnership with school counselors and the work we do together for students.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Adventure campers are back! From June 11 through June 18, 2010, Project SUCCESS took 68 students into the BWCA wilderness for a week-long canoe adventure.  The students formed 11 separate groups of six to seven students, each group accompanied by one Project SUCCESS chaperone and one guide from the Wilderness Canoe Base.  Our fantastic community of campers represented Anwatin, Anne Sullivan, Northeast, Emerson SILC and Washington Technology Magnet Middle Schools!  A few alumni of Project SUCCESS middle schools joined us, as well, taking on great leadership roles within the groups. During the week, campers worked on goal setting, teamwork, communication skills and built confidence beyond belief in the most beautiful setting in Minnesota!  They made lasting friendships with people they may not have known at school. Many also developed a profound respect for nature and the environment that we hope will stay with them wherever they go. Click here to read more about our BWCA adventures and see photos from recent trips.

In May 2010, Project SUCCESS collaborated with Mu Performing Arts on The Stories Project — an in-class workshop with English Language Learner (ELL) students at Washington Technology Magnet Middle School in St. Paul. Students learned to use non-verbal creative media, such as dance and art, to communicate their stories of immigration to the United States. The project culminated in a performance for their teachers and peers. The goal of the Stories Project is to help students articulate and tell their personal stories through the performing arts, thus supporting leadership self-esteem, interpersonal skills and English language development; and build a broader understanding of the arts and themselves. Click here to learn more about the project and other special projects coordinated by Project SUCCESS.

In May 2010, Project SUCCESS facilitators worked with all 7th and 8th grade students at Jefferson on a book- and print-making project. The 7th graders created a book to hold their memoirs written as part of the class curriculum, and a print for the cover art. The 8th graders created a yearbook, which included poems written during a Project SUCCESS workshop, reflecting upon their time at Jefferson and the memories they want to take with them, and allowed room for classmates to sign the book. They made prints for the cover, and extra prints to share with classmates. Some Jefferson students also participated in an after-school film project, in which they were able to write, direct, shoot and perform in two short films, exploring the process of storyetelling. The films were screened on May 27 at a Jefferson festival exhibiting all after-shool programs. 

The reviews are in and it's another hit! On June 4 and 5, 2010, over 75 Anwatin Middle School students gave stunning performances, both on stage and behind-the scenes for High School Musical, Project SUCCESS' twelfth annual musical production at Anwatin. Now a strong tradition at Anwatin, other Project SUCCESS productions have included Willy Wonka, The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, and Guys and Dolls, and have shown that putting on a very professional and successful musical/theater performance has contributed to these young people’s skills and self-esteem. Click here for more details..

A huge thank you to Lifetouch, the Minnesota Twins, Target, Travelers, RBC Wealth Management and all our other sponsors for helping Project SUCCESS hit a home run for our 6th annual Fielding Dreams event on Tuesday, May 11 at Target Field! Since 2005, Fielding Dreams has raised over a quarter of a million dollars to support Project SUCCESS’ invaluable work and growth in the community. The event is not just in recognition of us, but in recognition of all of you! We are honored to work with such wonderful students, families, and communities.

Adrienne Diercks, Project SUCCESS Founder and Executive Director, was honored with the Ann Bancroft Foundation Dream Maker Award at the 13th annual Ann Bancroft Awards event in Minneapolis on Thursday, April 29, 2010. The awards honored four individual Minnesotans and one organization who encourage and support the achievements of girls and women. Adrienne received the award in the Achievement and Leadership category, honoring a woman who has achieved her dreams and demonstrated her leadership to others. KARE-11 featured Adrienne and Project SUCCESS in their recent EXTRA. The Southwest Journal, Hill and Lake Press, and Twin Cities Daily Planet also covered the news of her recent award. In honor of this award, the Board of Directors of Project SUCCESS is proud to announce the creation of The Adrienne Diercks Scholarship Fund, which will be used to fund participation fees for any of Project SUCCESS' 10,000 students in need of support to attend college tours, Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) trips and other unique experiences that augment the monthly Project SUCCESS-led workshops and theater experiences which are free and open to all. For more information about the Scholarship or to contribute to the fund, please visit our Make A Gift page.