Prevail News (dba Prevail Mix) has been continuing its mission since 2015. We pride ourselves on having an all volunteer, diverse and inter-generational board.
CHAIR > JULIAN SCHAUFFLER
Julian Schauffler joined the board of Prevail to help their community meet its own needs for connection, food, and meaningful labor. Julian brings experience in facilitation, community-building, and a wide knowledge of food recovery and distribution efforts in the Twin Cities.
SECRETARY > JOE BETHKE
I joined the Prevail board because I am passionate about food justice and building resources for those who are food insecure. I wanted to take an active role in supporting the grassroots, communal resources that I utilize and which Prevail is a supporter of. My goal as a board member of Prevail is to see to it that our ability to do outreach and provide resources for our neighbors can be done efficiently and with care for the communities that we support.
TREASURER > JERRY SEDGEWICK (Ex-Oficio member)
I founded Prevail News to provide jobs for those individuals who are unhoused. Since then, our direction has been to serve larger communities of people in need, whether for groceries, meals, others to socialize with, or through the arts to feed our souls. Nothing gives me greater joy than to give to others, and Prevail is a means to do so in a larger way.
BOARD MEMBER > JOHN MARBOE
It is all because of relationships. When we open our hearts truly to all the people around us, stop playing it safe, there are no guarantees. But that is also the adventure and the possibility to be changed forever. Others have rallied together in solidarity under this banner to serve neighbors in need–of food, clothing, shelter, dignity, friendship–what we all need. This work is not just transforming for “them” but for us all together, and altogether.
BOARD MEMBER > JULIE SHRAMKE
I firmly believe in helping people become the best versions of themselves. I also know from my years as a teacher that people cannot be the best versions of themselves when they are hungry, or when they are consuming food full of empty calories, artificial colors, salt, sugar, and fat. I continue to be impressed with this group’s genuine desire to be a force for good and wanted to bring my talents and expertise to help this group. The organization’s mission to strengthen community is one that is near and dear to my heart, and I am proud to serve on the board.
BOARD MEMBER > MARK JUNGMANN
I was invited by Pastor John Marboe of Zion Community Commons to become a board member of Prevail News. I have a deep interest and commitment to food justice. I had been looking for a volunteer opportunity in my local community. I hope to facilitate guidance and leadership at Prevail News while helping the food insecure in my own community while we build a model of mutual aid and support that could be used in any community.
BOARD MEMBER > MIRA KEHOE
As the founder and co-director of Arts on Lafond, I have a vision of sharing creative opportunities and resources with our entire community. We have a reciprocal model, and welcome all to create, perform, participate and attend regardless of financial means. Prevail News has shared space with us at Zion Community Commons for a few years, and I believe in its mission: to meet people where they are, and provide opportunities to lift them up with dignity and resourcefulness. Serving on the board of Prevail provides me an opportunity to use my gifts in creative problem solving, strategic planning and provide guidance in project management.
BOARD MEMBER > ARTHUR JOHNSON
I have worked for several years in a volunteer capacity with several nonprofit organizations and I felt joining Prevail’s Board was an opportunity to make a direct major contribution to helping people who are struggling with homelessness and hunger and trying to get back on their feet.
BOARD MEMBER > ANTHONI FORTIER
Anthoni is imbued with an inexorable instinct to help his community. Prevail’s mission and work to help our neighbors aligns impeccably with his values and his ability to do niche supportive work has made Anthoni a good fit on the board.
HISTORY
Prevail News was formed in 2015 to produce very local newspapers for vendors to sell at strategic high traffic areas in Twin Cities neighborhoods. We hoped that Prevail News could replicate what has been done in other metro areas, where homeless and formerly homeless individuals sell newspapers instead of holding “Please Help” signs on street corners. However, it became obvious that it is more profitable to panhandle than it is to sell newspapers.
Our focus then shifted to producing a documentary titled “Guttered.” We made this documentary to present a first-hand view of homelessness via the filmmaker (Jerry Sedgewick). Jerry used a hidden camera to record his experiences sleeping overnight in a shelter, eating at a soup kitchen, and interviewing in several settings to find social services and a place to live, and while making efforts to find a job. Throughout the documentary, “Guttered” includes candid stories from five former street survivors who describe their experiences of homelessness. The film concludes with a description of the ways in which trauma can create permanent behavioral and response changes among traumatized individuals and families that can result in homelessness, furthering the urgency for creating opportunities to secure housing and supportive services.
Prevail News continued its original mission to provide jobs. Our first business was Prevail Mix, operating at Zion Lutheran Church in Saint Paul at no cost. Our first pancake/waffle mixes, corn muffin mix and batter mix were sold at Hampden Coop in St. Paul, MN.
Today we are in partnership with Zion Community Commons, expanding ways to scale up food justice programs and make healthy food available to anyone in need of food support in our community.
Prevail News is a 510(c)(3) non-profit corporation. We Do Business As (DBA) Prevail Mix. We are based in Saint Paul, MN, operating out of Zion Community Commons. Currently we are 100% volunteer.