Sprockets

About Sprockets

1. Mission, Vision, and Values

   Our Vision

   All Saint Paul's youth will develop their abilities as learners, contributors, and navigators so they can recognize and achieve their greatest potential.

   Our Mission

   Sprockets improves the quality, availability, equity and effectiveness of out-of-school time learning for all youth in Saint Paul through the committed, collaborative and innovative efforts of community organizations, government, schools and other partners.

   Our Values

   Culture

   We promote cultural health and understanding, recognizing that culture is an essential lens through which we learn and grow.

   Partnership

   We will be successful only when an inclusive network of youth, parents, schools, organizations and government, reflective of our diverse community, is committed and works together to achieve long-term results.

   Meaning (relevance)

   Youth learn best when it is meaningful and relevant to them.

   Quality (research)

   We promote both practice-based reflection and research-based knowledge to improve learning opportunities.

   Learning

   We each have something to learn and to contribute; we value learning not only as our end but as part of our process.

   Equity

   Youth have a right to high-quality, inclusive, and culturally-relevant out-of-school time learning opportunities. As a community and a network, we have a responsibility to ensure that all youth and families have equitable access to such opportunities and to advocate for systems, policies, and resources to best fulfill those rights and responsibilities.

2. Governance

   Many hands, heads, and hearts guide Sprockets.

   Sprockets is a collaboration between the City of Saint Paul, Saint Paul Public Schools, and community organizations across Saint Paul that make a positive difference in the lives of youth. The passion for quality out-of-school time experiences runs deep in our community, and we are fortunate to have the depth of knowledge and breadth of experience from many committed individuals guiding our work.

   The Sprockets network is supported and guided by:

   • Our Leadership Group, which provides strategic direction for Sprockets
   • Our Community Advisory Council, which provides feedback on Sprockets strategies from a program perspective
   • The Saint Paul Youth Commission and Saint Paul Youth on Boards, which helps keep Sprockets in touch with and connected to the young people we serve
   • Our Citywide Network Events, which allow for people to come together and align resources around what's happening for young people in their community

   Together, we’re working to ensure that all youth in Saint Paul have the opportunity to participate in meaningful out-of-school time opportunities that help them succeed.

3. History

   It All Started With A Passion for Young People and Education

   Sprockets stems from a rich history of collaboration and youthwork dedicated to prioritizing opportunities for young people. In 2006, Mayor Coleman alongside the Saint Paul Public School District, community organizations and activists, local nonprofits, business and civic leaders, parents and youth, thought leaders, and public servants, came together to form the Second Shift Commission. Through community engagement, this commission made significant steps towards supporting quality out-of-school time by developing a vision for out-of-school time to guide St. Paul, increasing access to OST opportunities for youth and families, and seeking resources to improve the quality of information about out-of-school time in St. Paul.

   Today, Sprockets Is All About Successful Youth and Quality Programs

   In 2011,  Mayor Coleman, informed by recommendations from the Second Shift Commission and community input, launched Sprockets, St. Paul’s Out-of-School Time Network. Today, Sprockets is all about successful youth and quality programs. Our engagement and work with  the individuals and organizations most invested and most impacted by OST continues to grow, collaborating with other OST partners at the regional, state, and national levels. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished this far, and look forward to advancing our vision of all youth in Saint Paul reaching their fullest potential.

   Successful Youth. Quality Programs. That’s Sprockets. 

4. Meet the Sprockets Team

   Erik Skold (he/him), Director

   

   For more than 15 years, Erik has been deeply involved in bringing learning experiences for children and youth beyond the classroom. This set the stage well for his current role as Sprockets Director, where he works with schools, city governments, parks, libraries and many community-based organizations to develop and promote quality programming that supports young people as they strive to recognize and achieve their greatest potential.

   Erik, a former high school debate team member, turned his enthusiasm for long hours spent in library research into a pursuit of a master’s degree in youth development leadership from the University of Minnesota. A Wisconsin native, Erik frequently crosses the border back to his home state to introduce his three young children to the wonders of the great outdoors.

   Email Erik Skold

   Jocelyn Wiedow (she/her), Network and Quality Coordinator

   

   As the Sprockets Network and Quality Coordinator, Jocelyn brings together people and programs from across St. Paul with the shared goal of helping young people succeed. It’s a perfect fit for

    someone with more than 20 years of experience in coordinating and directing youth and family programs across the Twin Cities. Jocelyn melds her past experience and knowledge of the OST field to support youth workers to strengthen skills around youth work practices, evaluative thinking and data utilization. Jocelyn has her master’s degree in public nonprofit administration and an individualized studies Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on community program management.

   Jocelyn’s summers at camp as a young person inspired her love for learning in nontraditional settings. Some of her favorite outdoor classroom experiences have been teaching horseback and dirt bike riding.  An outdoor enthusiast, Jocelyn enjoys a little time away to go camping and canoeing.

   Email Jocelyn Wiedow

   Stephany Lopez (she/her), Youth and Community Project Manager

   

   Stephany discovered her passion and love for community and youth when she was a high school senior intern with the City of Brooklyn Park's Community Engagement Department as a Community Engagement intern. In this role, Stephany learned about the impact local policies have on community members on a day-to-day basis and the importance of youth voice in local government and policy.  Later on, Stephany was a Right Track Job Coach and a Program Coordinator with another youth-serving organization where she got to support youth directly.

   As a first-generation college graduate and professional, Stephany knows how difficult it can be to navigate the systems that are in place and realizes that she couldn't have done it without the community that came around her to support her. Because of this, Stephany hopes to give back and be a positive voice and influence in the lives of other youth who have to work through similar barriers. She hopes to inspire and encourage young people in the same way she was so that young people feel capable and worthy of achieving all the things they dream of doing in their lives.

   Learn more about Saint Paul Youth Commission and Youth on Boards.

   Email Stephany Lopez

   Raph Xiong, Youth and Community Program Specialist

   

   Raph is a true youth worker with a passion and dedication to authentic youth and community engagement.  Before taking on the role as Youth and Community Program Specialist, he worked with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation in the Rec Services department, gaining valuable skills along the way.  He takes those passions and skills to help support and guide his community to be the best versions of themselves.  

   Growing up in Saint Paul as the first child of immigrant parents, Raph has a firsthand understanding of the importance of inclusion and belonging and he brings that to his work every day. Raph is also a big foodie, often using food as a way to connect people and foster community spirits. It’s a great way to create a positive and safe space for others. He encourages people to share not only in the hopes of trying new foods from different backgrounds, but in hopes on bringing communities together.  

   Email Raph Xiong

   Rawnson Ivanoff, Communication

   

   Rawnson grew up in Saint Paul and attended Central Senior High School. They began their journey with the City of Saint Paul as a Right Track intern in 2017. Since then, they have gained experience across many fields, including marketing, graphic design, peer education, youth work, job coaching, administration, and user experience design. Rawnson holds a certificate in User Experience Design and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

   A dedicated member of their union, Rawnson is passionate about advocating for workers' rights, amplifying youth voices, and supporting the queer community. Outside of work, they love taking road trips, swimming in Lake Superior, and bringing joy to their friends with their sense of humor.

   Email Rawnson Ivanoff