A Night of Gratitude: Friendsgiving with ACER Surrounding Community

Executive Director, Nelima Sitati Munene, welcoming community to the Friendsgiving Celebration

On a cool Thursday evening, the doors of ACER are opened to the familiar sound of laughter, footsteps, and the welcoming aroma of a home-cooked holiday meal. It was our annual Friendsgiving Night, a celebration created not just to share food, but to honor the people who walked beside us this year, our community leaders.

From the very beginning, the atmosphere was electric. Children raced toward the craft tables, eager to decorate tree ornaments  with messages of gratitude. Families gathered around, greeting old friends and making new ones with the same ease and joy.

Holiday ornaments were decorated by community members

But beyond the food, music and games, the heart of Friendsgiving was its purpose: to acknowledge the community leaders/members who make ACER’s mission possible. For the individuals who show up for one another in moments big and small.

“It was great to have ACER’s presence and support at my apartment complex earlier this year when I couldn't speak for myself. ACER supported me and led me to resources to solve our housing issue.” Says Susan O, an emerging community leader in the community.

Susan says her biggest achievement this year was being able to organize her very first community event with the help of ACER’s financial support and leadership training and mentorship.

For ACER, organizing is more than responding to crises. It’s about building long-term community power. This means developing community leaders, training them on organizing, shaping policy conversations, and ensuring our communities have the tools, knowledge, and resources to advocate for themselves. Friendsgiving is one of the moments where all of these threads come together; where the community leaders and buddy organizers become the center of the celebration.

As plates were filled and stories exchanged, the room became a vivid reminder of why community matters. A longtime community advocate, Seretha Lee, reflected on her journey from taking ACER’s leadership training in the summer of 2025, being more active and intentional in her housing advocacy work through 2025 in her neighborhood and community, finally landing her a seat on the housing commission of Brooklyn Center City. She is now representing tenant voices in the commission and ensuring tenant stories inform local city policies. 

Denise and Emmanuel having a spirited conversation with other community members.

Throughout the night, connections deepened. New friendships took root. And all around, there was a sense of belonging, a reminder that Friendsgiving isn’t just a dinner. It’s a celebration of trust, partnership, and the shared commitment that makes our work at ACER possible.

“Our community is strongest when we celebrate one another, and we’re all grateful to you for doing this for us.” Cassandra B. 

This Friendsgiving, we didn’t just gather for a meal we gathered to honor the people who make our mission come alive every day. And for that, the ACER family are endlessly grateful.

Are you interested in speaking up for your community? Looking to grow as a leader and better organize your community? ACER is here to support you.

Contact Aru Sasikumar at 612-380-2945 today!