CIC Connects brings year-round entertainment and enrichment to the families in our network with our ticket donation program. In 2022, we were able to offer 20 ticket opportunities to families in our network—that’s about one every other week! In 2023, we are hoping to offer even more fun, educational, and entertaining opportunities to the families in our network.
We have been lucky enough to partner with many amazing organizations around the Twin Cities. The following organizations have donated tickets that either have been or will be distributed to CIC families in 2023:
- American Swedish Institute
- Baken Museum
- Bell Museum
- Good Times Park
- Hennepin Theatre Trust
- Mill City Museum
- Minnesota Children’s Museum
- St. Paul Saints
- Stages Theatre Company
We hope to add to this list as the year goes on!
The feedback we’ve received from families regarding our ticket program has been resoundingly positive. Some of the most loved opportunities from last year included an exciting performance from Cirque Dreams Holidaze (pictured above), a stroll through the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit, and the opportunity to attend a Saints game on a beautiful fall evening. Recently, the Saints have invited CIC families back to CHS field with tickets to Larry Doby Night on May 9, in honor of the first Black player to appear in an American League game.
In addition to our ticket donation program, CIC is excited to announce that we are now partnering with Tickets for Kids (TFK)! Founded in 1994, TFK is a national organization that provides free access for low-income and at-risk kids to attend the arts, cultural, educational, and athletic venues of their community. In 2022 alone, TFK distributed more than 135,000 tickets valued at over $4.4 million and partnered with nonprofit organizations in 24 states. We are very excited to offer even more amazing opportunities to families in the CIC network thanks to this partnership.
If you are raising a child impacted by parental incarceration and are interested in these ticket opportunities, please email outreach@cicmn.org. A member of our team will follow up with you directly.