You are invited to attend Queer, Trans, & Talented on Friday, August 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 825 Arts in Saint Paul, presented by 825 Arts and RECLAIM and sponsored by the PFund Foundation.

Celebrate the creativity and brilliance of queer and trans youth with us! This one-night showcase will feature artwork, live performances, and interactive activities that bring our community together in color, joy, and pride.

What to expect:

💵💵💵 Bring cash to tip performers and purchase art directly from youth artists!

Interested in sponsoring? Contact Mercedes Yarbrough at mercedes@825arts.org

Volunteers are an important part of RECLAIM's operations, outreach, and culture. Some roles are one-time/event-based, and other roles are ongoing.

RECLAIM is holding a volunteer orientation and information session on Wednesday, August 26 from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. online.

This 30-minute online call via Google Meet will introduce attendees to RECLAIM and ways to support our work. We'll discuss RECLAIM's programs and services, review our annual calendar of community engagements, and present current and future volunteer opportunities. If you're interested in getting to know RECLAIM or you want to get re-engaged, this is the place to start!

RECLAIM is partnering again this year with Leder Games to hold a parking lot fundraiser at the Minnesota State Fair from August 27 to September 7. The office of Leder Games is located on Como Avenue across the road from the fairgrounds, and they are granting us use of their parking lot to collect parking fees. As a bonus, anyone who volunteers has guaranteed free convenient parking to go to the Fair.

Be ware that this is mostly an independent role where you will be working without RECLAIM staff or other volunteers. Volunteers will receive training before their first shift, so they are familiar and confident. You are also welcome to bring someone with you to volunteer! 

RECLAIM thanks Beth B. for her dedicated and enthusiastic service as a Front Desk Volunteer! On Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. from April 2023 to July 2026, Beth held down the front desk, checking clients into appointments, answering the phones, and taking care of various administrative tasks and projects. We are grateful for Beth's more than three years of volunteer service and the positive impact she's made in our community.

RECLAIM welcomes Mack McKellips (they/them, he/him) MSW, LGSW, to the team as our newest staff therapist. About Mack:

Mack (they/he) is a queer, white, transmasculine social worker with a history of supporting multicultural LGBTQ+ populations. Mack is from Minnesota and completed their Master’s in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They incorporate anti-oppressive and anti-racist philosophy into their work with a reverence for ancestral and cultural healing practices. Mack primarily draws from person-centered, feminist, and relational forms of therapy.

Mack understands that the weight of the world can impact your mental health. He specializes in working with LGBTQ+ youth (12-25) and couples struggling with topics related to depression, anxiety, neurodivergence, polyamory, sexuality and gender exploration, dysphoria, body dissatisfaction, shame, and sexual health. They are neurodiversity-affirming, sex-positive, and anti-diet.

In his free time, Mack enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi, spending time with two clingy cats, and cycling through crafts.