July 2009
Dakota Woodlands is the only facility specifically for homeless women and children in our County.
Links:
From Our Executive Director:
Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
Summer at Dakota Woodlands is really heating up!!!
Adults are busy attending classes, meetings and working on their individual plans towards self sufficiency. Children are busy playing. There is a wonderful program in our community called “Tix for Tots.” It has been around for many years. It provides kids in programs like ours a chance to attend community events. Tix for Tots takes unused seats for sporting events or cultural events and provides an opportunity for us to bring family members to these fun events. We have recently attended plays, Twins games and other fun activities thanks to this great network. Additionally this summer, we have spent time playing at parks, swimming, doing art activities with the Eagan Art House, going to the Caponi Art Park and more.
We wish you a fun summer with your family. Thanks for reading our Digest. Thank you for your support of our work.
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Volunteer of the Month
Vanessa Salinas
Our volunteer of the month for July is our summer intern, Vanessa Salinas. She is finishing her education at Inver Hills Community College and transferring to Metro State University next spring to continue her major in Human Services. Vanessa works at Kohl's department store. Vanessa loves sports and is a tough competitor on her Cottage Grove softball team, but here at Dakota Woodlands she is a softie with a big heart.Vanessa arrives every day with a positive attitude, ready to meet the day’s challenges-never getting flustered by the occasional curve ball. Vanessa does many things for us, interning 40 hours a week. She applies what she has been learning in human services assisting our residents, assisting our staff in many ways. She coordinates our Summer Stretch Program, working with middle school-aged volunteers from several churches, who are here every morning. In the afternoons, she often assists in our childcare area, playing with the kids or working with our family managers. Vanessa is friendly, outgoing and very flexible. She says her internship here has confirmed her desire to work in a homeless shelter after college.
We are proud of you Vanessa and we wish you well. Thanks for all you do for us.
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Partner of the Month
Luke Horsager
There are many young people like Vanessa who have helped us during the summer. Our partner of the month is a young man, Luke Horsager, who chose Dakota Woodlands for the site of his Eagle Scout Project.
When Luke was in the initial stages of his Eagle Scout project, he knew that he wanted to do something with the issue of homelessness. However, he wasn't quite sure where that would be, until a family friend recommended Dakota Woodlands. Luke contacted us last December and set up a visit to discuss several possible ways he could help us. Luke thought about how he wanted to help us. Luke became incredibly enthusiastic about completing his 100 hour project by revamping our entire parking lot. This included resealing, resurfacing and relining both of our parking lots. An Eagle Scout project includes serving as a leader and drawing on resources. This project was so helpful to us. Had we hired someone to do all this work the cost would have undoubtedly been huge. And if that weren’t enough, Luke decided that he would also improve upon our current compost system by making it more accessible and easier to use and finished that as well.
Luke has wonderful things to say about doing his project here. Luke said that he loved all of the interaction that he got with the staff and residents while he was working on the parking lot. Everyone was incredibly friendly and repeatedly thanked him for his hard work. As for working with Dakota Woodlands Luke said, “I will definitely recommend to those starting their Eagle projects to consider Dakota Woodlands.”
Luke is a fantastic example of how one young person can make a huge difference in his community and for Dakota Woodlands.
Please keep us in mind if you or someone you know would like to do a service project. Contact Abby at resource@dakotawoodlands.org or 651-289-3567
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...How to Help...
Volunteer Opportunities
We know that summer is a busy time. But if you have time to volunteer, we have some specific needs, with very little time commitment.
- We have some outside yard work for someone who might enjoy garden work or painting.
- Child care support is needed any weekday evening from 6-8 p.m.
- Would your group like to come in to organize a game night, Bingo Event or picnic for our families?
Since our last issue, we had to say goodbye to Annie who was only our volunteer coordinator for a short time. Annie and her husband moved to North Dakota. We wish them both much happiness.
We welcome our new volunteer coordinator Patty Kelley. If you are interested in any of the above opportunities or other ways to assist us, please contact Patty, our Volunteer Coordinator at 651-289-3565 (direct phone number) or email her at volunteer@dakotawoodlands.org.
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National Night Out... Strengthen Neighborhood Spirit and Help Dakota Woodlands
The "26th Annual National Night Out" is Tuesday, August 4, 2009
If your neighborhood is planning a gathering or block party on Tuesday evening, August 4th, please think of us by collecting paper products, non-perishable food items, or donating funds. In previous years, neighbors generously collected items we need. We have brochures and donation containers for you to use. We’re happy to stop by and thank your guests in person. If you are interested in organizing a collection or would like to learn more about how your neighborhood can help Dakota Woodlands, contact Abby resource@dakotawoodlands.org or 651-289-3567
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Current Needs
We welcome any fresh produce or items from local gardens or Farmers' Markets. Please consider us if you have fresh fruit or vegetables. Just bring your items to Dakota Woodlands.
We have begun our Back To School Fundraising Campaign. We need $5,000 to meet school related needs for our residents for the 2009-10 school year. We purchase a new school outfit for each child, new socks and underwear, special school supplies and school related needs such as year books, fees and school pictures.
Perhaps your children would like to assist ours by hosting a small craft fair, lemonade stand or the like...your change would help us meet our kids needs. Please contact Abby at 651-289-3567 or resource@dakotawoodlands.org She is happy to help you brainstorm about ways to help and will provide materials for you to share about Dakota Woodlands.
If you are able to send us a contribution, we's be very grateful for your donation. (Every amount matters!!) Your donation is tax deductible. You can make a donation through our website....Donate Now or send you donation to us.
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3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org