June 2008
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
As you’ll see in the next story, we celebrate the end of the school year and school success in a big way at Dakota Woodlands. This area has hit me personally, in a big way recently. Our only child, Jake became an adult recently, graduated from Eastview High, was able to go to the National Forensics League competition in Debate the day after graduating and is moving out to dorm life at Hamline University at the end of summer.
I, like the moms here, am very proud of him. But, it wasn’t always easy. School successes are sometimes baby steps. I remember needing to advocate for him within elementary school to find a way to meet his needs. It’s possible that some of those great teachers will be attending his graduation party this weekend. I know they were happy to be invited and hear what a wonderful man he has become. So, I understand that sometimes it’s hard to be your child’s best advocate…especially when you are (as our residents are) coping with the stresses of homelessness. It’s hard to see the forest from the trees. It is sometimes hard to be hopeful. This reminds me of some very amazing gifts that Dakota Woodlands has received recently from children. A young boy just came in and collected paper products for Dakota Woodlands instead of birthday gifts for himself. A young girl collected funds through a lemonade stand to give towards children’s services here. The dance line girls that you will read about later came here with so much energy to share simple projects with our residents.
I wish you time to see the forests from the trees this summer. I wish you times to watch young children at play and I wish you time to hug a teenage boy before he moves on to his college experience.
Happy Summer
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School's Out For Summer
For the last eight years Dakota Woodlands has hosted an “End of the School Year” party to celebrate the amazing efforts of children who haven’t always experienced school success. We invite families who lived here during the year to come back for a barbecue and games to celebrate simple accomplishments or progress, good grades and moving to middle school, high school or other grades.
This year was our biggest event in many ways. We had over 140 residents, former residents, staff and volunteers at the party. There was food, games, music, face painting, cotton candy and even a water balloon volleyball.
It is a time for everyone to catch up…former residents meet again, staff are able to hear the success stories and current residents see that results of the hard work and struggles that they are currently feeling, pay off. The party is a great opportunity to let the children know how important education is and how highly their work in school is valued.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every mother should be able to celebrate the birth of her child with friends and family, but being homeless doesn’t make that very easy. At Dakota Woodlands, we like to make each new mother feel special. We also want to be able to give her the things every baby needs and deserves, that is why we host baby showers for all of our new mothers and babies. The latest baby was born at the end of May. Our staff did a great job decorating the room and putting together beautifully wrapped gifts, donated to Dakota Woodlands to celebrate this new family. (We are in need of decorations for future parties. If you or your group would like to collect shower decorations, decorated gift bags, even party game supplies, please contact Lara at resource@dakotawoodlands.org)
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Volunteers of the Month 
Brooke Niesen and the Lakeville South High School Cougar Dance Team
A few months ago, Lisa Niesen contacted Dakota Woodlands about volunteer opportunities for her 15 year old daughter. She shared that Brooke has a “huge heart for women and children in circumstances of need.” Brooke told our volunteer coordinator that she was willing to help out in any way, but she also expressed her passion for dance and offered to give dance lessons to the children. What a treat this turned out to be for our families! Brooke and her friends from Lakeville South High School’s Cougar Dance Team organized several weeks of volunteer sessions for the kids that were so much fun, the moms often joined in too.
The group of seven young women arrived the first day with music, side walk chalk and supplies to make a unique snack. Every week the girls shared their dance experience and amazing energy with the children. They were such great volunteers; they always left the space cleaned up and the residents in a better mood at the end of the activities.
One week they made ice cream sundaes, another they painted t-shirts; the girls made every activity special and enjoyable. But one of the most memorable moments was when the girls encouraged five reluctant boys to join in the fun. Seeing the boys smiling and laughing as they danced to hip-hop music on the dining room floor was priceless.
On her last day here, Brooke shared how much fun she was having and how much she and her friends had enjoyed being here with the kids. The feeling was mutual! Thank you to Brooke and all the girls from the Cougar Dance Team.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you to all of our volunteers. There are always volunteer opportunities at Dakota Woodlands.
Right now, our specific needs are for
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Assist our house manager on a regular basis (2-4 hour blocks once a week, especially Fridays) with organizing donations, yard work, kitchen assistance and special projects.
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Day time Receptionist for 2-4 hours.
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Current Wish List:
- A large (32 inch) combination television, DVD/VCR set
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Hair brushes and combs
- Cribs in great condition and that meet all safety restrictions.
- Baby Bassinettes in great shape
- Large outside toys, such as push or riding toys
- Diapers in sizes 1 and 2
- Baby monitors (new or used)
- Women and children’s bathing suits of all sizes
- Garbage bags in 13 or 32 gallon sizes
- Phone cards for resident long distance calling needs in 30 or 60 minutes
- Baby laundry detergent for babies with sensitive skin, such as Dreft or generic brands
- Baby shower decorations, baby wrapping paper and gift bags for our new mothers (new or gently used decorations or bags are fine)
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A Special Request for TV Converter Boxes
As we all know, beginning in February 2009, all television signals will become digital. The government is offering every household two coupons worth $40 each to purchase converter boxes. Dakota Woodlands has a need for converter boxes for 10 more bedroom spaces. We have cable television in our lounge; but each bedroom has a television set for the children to wake to their favorite public television shows or for moms to watch the late evening news. There aren’t any special programs for these converter boxes, for a residence like ours. Staff and volunteers have given us their coupons but we still need a few more. If your family does not need your coupons please consider applying for them anyway and donating them to Dakota Woodlands. We would also greatly appreciate donations of the boxes themselves. We’ve found the least expensive ones at Target and Wal-Mart but they are purchased quickly after they get them in stock.
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Birdhouse Boutique
Attention: Artists and Art Lovers
Dakota Woodlands invites you to consider donating your artwork, crafts and gifts to stock our “Birdhouse Boutique” The boutique is a special segment of our Flying Home event in October featuring smaller items ranging in price from about $10 to $75. Ideas for these items include; mosaics, pottery, photography, paintings, prints, jewelry, candles, soaps, note cards, wine charms, and gifts. Bird-themed items such as bird baths, bird houses, bird figurines and bird related art are also welcome. Our deadline is mid September, if you are interested in donating your art/craft or have access to these items please contact Marie at 651-456-9110 ext. 14 or email her at... communication@dakotawoodlands.org.
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3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org