January 2009
Dakota Woodlands is the only facility for homeless women and children in Dakota County.
Our mission is to empower homeless women to create stable futures for their families.
Links:
From Our Executive Director:
Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
Happy New Year! It feels like a whole year has gone by since our last Dakota Digest. We are so grateful for all of the support that we received at the end of 2008, to assist our residents and our organization.
Today marks my anniversary with Dakota Woodlands. I begin my 11th year here, with so many challenges and dreams. Our work is more complicated then it was when I began here. The families have more struggles. But, we are still so successful in assisting families who come in feeling hopeless. They leave here filled with dreams for a brighter future.
Each day, we welcome new families and assist them with their many needs and challenges. We provide basic needs and many supportive services. Our budget for 2009, has many challenges. As you all know, it's a tricky economy and though we have so much support, we welcome creative ways to partner with others to provide funding, volunteers, events and activities.
We are looking forward to showcasing resident success stories, amazing volunteers, service enhancements and other successes. We are looking into opportunities for sponsors of this monthly e-news.
Thank you for reading our newsletter. Thank you for supporting our work.
Have a wonderful new year,
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Volunteer of the Month
Arch Mrkvicka
President of our Board of Directors, 2009
Arch, Suzie, Grandson Carter
People give to us in many ways. Arch Mrkvicka has been a special friend to Dakota Woodlands and is this year's Board President. This month, we want to share a bit about this very kind and caring man, who not only gives generously to Dakota Woodlands but has given to many locally and beyond.
Arch has been married to Suzie for 34 years. Family is very important to Arch and Suzie. They have a daughter, Jamie (and husband Scott), daughter Annie (and husband Brian) and their youngest Katie. Jamie and Scott have brought them their lovely grandson, Carter, 10 months old. Arch has worked at Travelers Insurance Co. for the past 29 years, and is the Vice President of Claims Management. He's involved in volunteerism through Travelers.
Arch says that he loves being a part of Dakota Woodlands and is looking forward to his new role as the Board President. He says that he loves " working on the Flying Home event and other opportunities to advertize and educate people about the awesome miracles that occur every day at Dakota Woodlands."
Arch is actively involved in the community. He serves on three other boards including Joseph’s Coat in St Paul. The Center for Ethical Business Cultures, with the University of St. Thomas and board activity with his church.
He is very active with St. John Neumann in Eagan, working with youth and adults and has introduced many people from St. John Neumann to Dakota Woodlands. He's the Adult Board member of the LightHouse their Teen Center. Through St. John Neumann, for the past seven years, he has co-led mission trips to the highlands of Guatemala for two weeks in the winter, to work with the Mayan Indians in building homes, schools, wood burning stoves and many other associated work projects. He loves the Mayan culture and says the people there are some of the most gentle, amazing people one could ever encounter.
Arch says, these past few years he's been more and more drawn to finding ways to help those less fortunate than him. "We are all in this together; we are one human family and must work for the common good of everyone – including those that are most vulnerable."
He says, one of his favorite Mother Teresa quotes that has always inspired him is,
“We are not asked to do great things; we are asked to do small things with great love.”
Thank you, Arch for all you do!!!
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Partnership of the Month
Many people would say that this cold harsh weather has just been miserable. But a couple of local businesses saw the opportunity to help Dakota Woodlands. Learn about local coffee businesses partnering to support our work.
One of these businesses is Second Street Coffee located in Hastings. It is a small family owned coffee shop. They've done two great things for us. They sponsored an evening dinner with a percentage of the profits benefting supportive services for our families. Once a month, they partner with the Hastings Lions Club. Rivertown Lions meets at Second Street. They have given a donation each month, through Second Street to Dakota Woodlands. Wow that's a three way partnership. Maybe your group wants to meet at this location.
Dunn Bros Coffee is also supporting Dakota Woodlands this winter. Dunn Brothers has been donating soup to us for some time now. We are now a participant in their new community giving program. Friends of Dakota Woodlands now have an opportunity to have 10% of their purchases of coffee and other related Dunn Bros products support our families. All you have to do is get a community giving card from us. Each time you go to Dunn Bros, they will credit 10% of your purchase to us. If you are an individual who loves Dakota Woodlands almost as much as you love your morning coffee contact Abby at 651-289-3567 or email her at resource@dakotawoodlands.org to request your community giving card or to get more information.
Each month we will focus on a new partnership, a new idea or feature a sponsor of Dakota Woodlands Contact Abby if you are interested in an opportunity
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Valentine's Day
...Share the Love...
This year, Valentine's Day is Saturday February 14th. Traditionally, people show their loved ones that they care about them with gifts of affection. Old standards are; flowers, candy, jewelry and other precious gifts. This year, give the gift that keeps giving. Give a donation in your loved one's name and we'll send a Valentine Card telling them about the generous gift you have made in their name. This would be a wonderful gift for your spouse, children or loved ones far away.
Just send a contribution today or on our website and indicate who we should acknowledge. Please make your contribution by February 10th and they'll receive their card in time for Valentine's Day. Make Valentines Day special for your loved ones and provide supportive services for families who are homeless at Dakota Woodlands.
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Current Volunteer Needs
We have two special needs for people who are available on Wednesdays...
Help unload food deliveries on Wednesday afternoons from 3-5pm
We have a special need on Thursday mornings....
Pick up donations from a local store on Thursday mornings and deliver them here.On-going volunteer needs....
Help our staff provide children's activities and loving care any weekday afternoon
(1-3) and evenings from 6-8:30 p.m. (for high school age through adults.)
Light cleaning help, sorting donations, and kitchen help.(Nearly anytime works for us.)
For more information about these or other volunteer opportunities
please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at
651-289-3565 (direct phone number) or email her at volunteer@dakotawoodlands.org.
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Current Needs List:
Paper Towels
Adult and childrens socks
Baby Products
Diapers size 3,4,5,6
Baby Wash
Baby Powder
Baby Lotion
Baby Wipes
We update our website frequently to show our on-going current needs, check out the Current Needs page for more information.
If you have items for the wish list please contact Abby at 651-289-3567 (direct phone number) or email resource@dakotawoodlands.org
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3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org