Special Edition: #MCHConf Highlights from MCH Fellows

Last month we held our MCH Annual Conference in Duluth. With over 800 advocates in attendance, we learned together over the full two days and shared new ideas and solutions to end homelessness in our state. Our MCH Advocacy Fellows co-led the event with us, and they had a lot of up-front speaking roles, so we wanted to take the time to share their insights.

💻 MCH Fellowship Program
There are four individuals in the Advocacy Fellowship Program with MCH: Laquita Love-Limo, Jason Urbanczyk, Claudette McDowall, and Ranee Rock. The program was created after six years of deeply collaborating and learning from Regional Expert Network members whose insight was instrumental in the creation of the Advocacy Fellowship. The goal of the Advocacy Fellowship is to provide career pathways for leaders with lived experience by providing them with hands-on training, experience, and valuable connections while also enhancing MCH’s advocacy. Read more about the Advocacy Fellowship Program here.

The first reflection is from Laquita Love-Limo. While this wasn’t her first conference, she had new experiences and highlights to share.

Reflections on My Third MCH Conference: Learning, Growth, and Family
Laquita Love-Limo

This year’s Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) conference marked my third time attending and my second as a fellow. Every year, this experience teaches me something new, and this time was no different. I learned that the larger the event, the more work is involved, and how critical it is to lean into being part of a team. Events like these require everyone to come together, each person contributing their part to create something impactful.

⭐ A Shift Toward Lived Experience

One of the highlights of this year’s conference was the increased presence of people with lived experience. From speakers to those tabling, the inclusion of voices from the community made a profound difference. It’s a shift I’ve been hoping to see for a long time, and I feel energized by the direction we’re heading. The authenticity and realness that lived experience brings to the table are unmatched, and it was deeply moving to witness.

⭐ A Family Affair

For me, this conference has always been more than just a professional event—it’s a family affair. My daughter has been attending with me since she was 12 years old. This year, she stepped up and volunteered to help. Having her by my side throughout these years has been incredibly special. I would absolutely invite more friends and family to attend in the future. There’s so much value in experiencing this kind of event together, especially when we’re all striving to create change.

⭐ What I Hope to Take Away

Attending the MCH conference always leaves me with a renewed sense of purpose. This year, I hope to take that energy and channel it into my work, continuing to focus on finding solutions to homelessness. But more than that, I hope to leave others with a sense of hope and inspiration. Our work can be challenging, but events like this remind me why we do it—because we believe that change is possible and necessary.

The conference was a reminder of the power of community, and I’m grateful to have been part of such a meaningful gathering. Here’s to carrying that momentum forward!

🎉 Here are a few other highlights from the wonderful day:

• Over 800 of advocates were registered from across the state.
• We had 17 wonderful sponsors that made the event special for attendees. Check them all out on our website. 
• We had 80 individuals with lived experience attend the conference with scholarships in partnership with the LEAN.
• MCH Fellows, Jason, Ranee, Claudette, and Laquita were a huge part of the two days. They had speaking roles with the Awards Ceremony and led the Keynote presentation.
• We held our Annual Awards Ceremony, where we recognized individuals from across the State for four different awards: Catalyst Award for Advocates of the Year, Luminary Award, Northern Light Award for Inspiring Organizational Leadership, and Rising Star Award. Find the full recorded version of the Awards Ceremony here.
• We celebrated our 40th anniversary as an organization and took the opportunity to hear from the attendees in a guided conversation with facilitators called Listening Sessions. The results from these Listening Sessions will influence our future policy priorities as we continue finding solutions to homelessness. Find the results of the Listening Sessions here.
• We also celebrated with cake and networking on the last day of the conference.
• Check out the hashtag #MCHConf on social media platforms to see all the attendees and their organization’s posts!

Until next year – thanks for a great MCH Annual Conference!

ICYMI: The Annual Awards Ceremony recording is found here and the Listening Sessions outcomes are found here.