Maxine Freedman

Maxine Freedman—2016 Fellow

Year: Class of 2018
Major: Political Science
Organization: Minnesota Communities Caring for Children

This summer, I had the opportunity to partner with Minnesota Communities Caring for Children (MCCC), home of Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota and Circle of Parents. MCCC educates and empowers families and communities to prevent child abuse. One of their programs is to train community members to present on the ACE Interface curriculum, which focuses on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), brain development, and resilience. My project this summer was to interview trainers and presenters about how the curriculum has affected them and their communities. I was able to carry out 30 interviews over the phone and in person. I found overwhelmingly that people are making incredible connections through the ACEs work.

Other projects I have worked on this summer include participating in the Midwest ACEs Summit Planning Committee, creating a Facebook group for members of the ACE Interface network, and getting my own certification as an ACE Interface presenter.

I have loved my experience working at MCCC. Chuck Green in general has been incredibly empowering for me to feel like I can be a valuable contributor to this organization and my community. I’ve loved meeting the presenters for interviews and building relationships with them. It’s been inspiring to hear about their passion for this work. I’ve learned so much about the effects of early adversity, historical trauma, and the child protection system through this work. I understand now that when communities really provide support for families, we all become so much stronger.