My name is Brian Mogren, Director in Residence of the St. Jane House in North Minneapolis and lead organizer of the Northside Luminary Light Up! Our city is carrying deep pain right now, and in moments like this, opportunities to come together—to experience beauty, light, and kindness, and to be generous—matter more than ever.

The Northside Luminary Light Up is a free, community-led winter gathering that transforms the Old Highland Peace Garden into a place of warmth and welcome through hundreds of ice luminaries.

This year we are creating an especially meaningful space for reflection, healing, and connection. Among the 400+ luminaries will be installations that honor Renée Good and Alex Pretti, uplift our immigrant neighbors, and celebrate people showing up to care for one another.

The event was free to attend. We are continuing to raise funds to support Northside families impacted by recent ICE activity in Minneapolis, with primary beneficiaries from Ascension Catholic Church and School, located one block west of the Old Highland Peace Garden. Each week Ascension delivers groceries and other needed products to approximately 300 families, and assists with rent, transportation, and legal assistance, as needed.

If you’re able to give, thank you. Together, we can light the way, one small act of creating beauty and sharing kindness and generosity at a time.