Please answer the following questions as you write this cover letter. Also, please refer yourself as a finalist.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing Minnesota that you are passionate about? We recommend you research news articles, different initiatives led by the Walz/Flanagan administration, and other major initiatives that line up with your area of interest. Without sounding prescriptive, showcase that you understand a wide breadth of the major challenges that Minnesota is facing and are curious to learn more. 

Why you are called to serve Minnesota? Why do those challenges matter to you? Why do you care about the Minnesota community and what  personal connection do you have? We recommend you approach this question with a deep sense of cultural humility, offering ones self for service. 

What experiences do you bring to the table? What special skills, work and personal experiences do you have that will help Minnesota communities address our challenges? We recommend that you connect your work to the breadth and flexibility of needs.

What would be your overall impact on the Minnesota and local government workforce? How can you contribute to the overall development of Minnesota and its local government workforce? This is a good place to speak about your goals for investing in the community long-term, and about any diverse perspectives you may bring to the community and to local government. 

**please refer to mental health and how MN/Minneapolis is the hub for East African communities**

PLEASE REFER TO THIS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN: About 5 years ago, I wrote a personal mission statement that read, I want to improve myself and the lives of all living things. I have lived by these words since the day I wrote it in my journal. As a young adult, I have always enjoyed participating in neighborhood volunteering events that catered to East Africans. It was an opportunity for me to support individuals that endured similar traumas as my family and I. Ive also helped start an initiative called CTN (Changing the Narrative), which is an organization  built on the foundation of broad-spectrum education and discussion throughout underrepresented communities. The mission is to spark a culturally competent dialogue in mental health by creating safe and meaningful spaces to ultimately educate our youth, families, communities, and leaders.
In my experience, Ive realized that the greatest way to help improve the lives of others is not by financial handouts. It is by building connections with people and giving them a sense of belonging and making them feel valued.
I have seen firsthand the hardships and injustices that befall on underrepresented communities and I feel a sense of duty to be part of the positive change and assist with providing much needed services. Services that include programs that move away from poverty, to educating and establishing direct care for individuals suffering from mental health. I want to empower people so that they can escape from the cycles of poverty and access opportunities that they are passionate about. I would absolutely love to give back to the community I was born and raised in and hope to use my knowledge and personal experience to help educate and uplift my community.