Events

Harnessing the power of design, we create one-of-a-kind "Joy Rooms" that bring delight, enhance independence, create community and foster well-being.

We are a partnership of impassioned doers and givers, including designers, architects, builders, donors, volunteers and sponsors. We come together to transform environments from a place kids have to be to a setting where they — and others — want to be.

In addition to helping individual families, by the end of 2022 Joy Rooms will be accessible to more than 5,000 kids through public spaces and facilities.

Joy Collaborative is a 501©(3).

Brian Sand is a 25-year-old veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department where he started in 1998. He started out
walking a beat in in south Minneapolis in the Phillips neighborhood assigned out of the 3 rd Precinct. In 2005 was part
of a strike force to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He was part of the Minnesota Gang strike force in
2006 and participated in two federal wiretaps. Was assigned to various other specialty units in his career including
the Violent Criminal Apprehension team where I was in the tv show first 48 hours. In 2009 was named the
Minneapolis Police Officer of the year. 2011 was promoted to Sergeant where I worked as a street supervisor, in an
undercover capacity and in Internal Affairs. Promoted to Lieutenant in 2018 where I worked in the 3rd and 5 th
Precincts and Internal Affairs. I have a master’s degree in Public Administration and graduated from Northwestern
University Police Staff and Command school in 2021. Promoted to Commander in 2022 of the Internal Affairs and
am currently the Commander of Special Crimes Investigative Division which includes the Arson unit, Juvenile Unit,
Sex Crimes Unit, Domestic Abuse Unit, Crimes against Children, Financial Crimes, licensing, Narcotics and U-Visa.

Andy Beaton is the principal at Edina High School. He previously held that role at Columbia Heights High School and Kennedy High School in Bloomington. Mr. Beaton earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from Macalester College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota. He earned an education specialist degree in educational leadership from St. Mary’s University and has received several awards and recognitions from the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, including the Hennepin Division Principal of the Year and several innovation awards. Andy’s work on intervention programming was featured in Educational Leadership and his work on engagement and the graduation gap was profiled on Minnesota Public Radio. His approach to school leadership is focused on high expectations for all students, research-based instruction, and school-wide support where all students can meet their potential.

Location - TBD