June 2009
Dakota Woodlands is the only facility specifically 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
School's Out... and that brings shouts of excitement for children and a sigh for most parents.
We are ready for summer break at Dakota Woodlands. We have fun activities planned for children. We will be partnering with many community groups, going to Caponi Art Park, Park and Recreation, Eagan Art House and fun outside events. Mel from the Eagan Art House was out to do an art class for kids and returned in the evening to do another for adults. Just this week our staff member took some families to swim and enjoy a hot day. Staci came back and told me that a little girl said to her, "Thank you Staci for taking me to the beach, this is the best day of my life." It is our wish for kids that as their parents cope with the struggles related to homelessness, we want them to enjoy themselves, laugh and have fun just being kids.
In this issue of the Digest I will tell you about our end of the school year party, a wonderful couple
that volunteers with us, words from a former resident, our partner of the month, and ways that you
can help us.
I wish you a safe and fun fourth of July.
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School's Out for the Summer
The grill was on, the moon walk was inflated, the fire truck arrived and we held a fabulous party for 120 people. Volunteer and paid staff worked hard to help us to celebrate school success for current and former residents.
It was a great event. We had carnival games, pups from the Animal Humane Society, and Great Food. Every child who attended got new books to practice their reading skills over the summer. We gave away a couple bikes. A 10 yr old boy living here now, won a bike. His mom said that he sits on his bike to watch tv in his room sometimes. He doesn't want it out of his sight.
This mom and children had never had cotton candy.
They were so happy about spun sugar!!!
It is always fun to catch up with the families who lived here during the school year. They have great updates and stories. It's fun to see the toddlers that were babies and kids of all ages. Some of the stories were from kids talking about school. Several told us about doing well in school. Sixteen year old Natalia remembered that the staff took her shopping for new school clothes. A ten year-old remembered that "Staff helped me with tutoring and school supplies. They had the internet so I could work on projects that I needed to do. After school, I'd get to play outside, I liked it here.” she said. And a seventeen year old told our staff that after previously having negative experiences at school, his grades started getting better. “I passed my biology class with an 'A'. Now I like school"
But they're all glad that it's summer break!!!
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A More Confident Mom
Enclosed is a quick story from our Follow Up Coordinator, Heather, about a family that is doing great.
"I recently talked with a former resident who stayed at Dakota Woodlands for 3 1/2 months. She's 19 and had her baby while staying at our place. Since leaving Dakota Woodlands, N.P. has obtained an internship at Ramsey County Government Center in St.Paul as an Office Assistant in Adult Case Management. She really enjoys this and is confident it will turn into a long-term position. She views the hardships she endured that brought her to Dakota Woodlands as a path for peace in her life. She states she has become a more confident parent and is living life to the fullest. Nicole was able to purchase her first car. She has built a supportive community of friends and family and feels she will have continuing success." Heather
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Volunteers of the Month
Bob and Cathy Mitchell
Bob and Cathy Mitchell are a fantastic husband and wife volunteer team! One Sunday, four years ago, when they were attending church at St. Rita’s in Cottage Grove, Cathy saw a notice in the bulletin for a specific volunteer need at Dakota Woodlands. Since then, they have been packaging, loading and delivering donations from two Target Stores on a weekly basis. Cathy says she loves to see donations come in that will be put to good use. “It’s fun to pick up games, toys or even a bicycle and know that a child here will enjoy this." Bob tells us that they really enjoy doing this as a couple.
Bob is a retired payroll manager from Burlington Northern Railroad and Cathy is a retired distribution center manager. The Mitchell's are very busy with their hobbies along with being active in the community. They are both avid walkers and belong to the YMCA of Woodbury. Cathy enjoys flower gardening while Bob likes to plant fruits and vegetables…strawberries being his specialty. And, they raise chickens.
Bob also delivers bread to food shelves while Cathy does respite care for Family Means and organizes other volunteer opportunities for church members. Bob and Cathy, we are so grateful that you responded to our ad four years ago. We really appreciate that you pick up these items that we need. We are so grateful for your time, energy and commitment to Dakota Woodlands.
Thank you Bob and Cathy!
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Current Volunteer Needs
***During the summertime, we typically have less volunteers to assist with sorting, cleaning and typical household needs. If you have a couple hours a week or even a couple hours a month to assist us, we welcome your support.
*** We need volunteers for evening hours during the week to assist with activities and child care. Nearly any weekday from 6-8 is open. We welcome high school students or older to contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
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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Dakota Woodlands will be holding our 4th annual Flying Home Event, October 10th.
Do you like crafts, boutique items or collectibles? We need someone to volunteer 2-4 hours a week from now until October to work on our Birdhouse Boutique.
- Please contact Reyne at 651-456-9110 or by email reyne@dakotawoodlands.org to learn more about the event and our committee needs. We welcome you to share your talents with us.
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Partnership of the Month
For the Month of June we have decided to highlight a local company that has partnered
with us for over ten years.
Lancet Software was founded in 1997 to help their customers maximize their Return on Data™ by designing, building and supporting strategic Business Intelligence solutions. Lancet delivers consultative and technical expertise to a wide range of industries including retail, health care, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, and many others.
Lancet has won many awards for their work environment. Their culture fosters open discussion, teamwork and creativity with a constant emphasis on training and growth.
Lancet has done many things for Dakota Woodlands. Their employees are so great to work with. They are responsive, creative and very generous. Chris Holtan, one of Lancet’s founders, volunteered many years ago to provide some important work on our database. She's been a friend ever since!!! Our website is beautiful because of Lancet. They voluntarily host our website and emails. They've been a sponsor of our Flying Home Special Event. The company and their employees have given very generous financial support over the years.
Chris Holtan told us, "What is so great about Dakota Woodlands is how you provide tools for your residents to get to a new place in their lives through all the training programs and support. You don't just offer temporary housing and help on finding new housing. You help families literally move onward and upward with more skills; parenting, schooling, finances to name just a few. Unfortunately homelessness is a reality in our community, and you help so many families move through it with dignity and love, while arming them with more tools for what their future holds. I congratulate you on all your successes and you will always have my support."
Thank you Lancet for all you've done for us.
Each month we will focus on a new partnership, a new idea or feature a sponsor of Dakota Woodlands.
Contact Abby at (651) 289-3567 or resource@dakotawoodlands.org if you are interested in partnering with us.
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Current Needs
During the summer months, we typically get less financial support from individuals, civic or religious groups. So, we are seeking fun ways to raise funding during these months. It is a great time for a Vacation Bible School group to collect change, a family gathering to invite members to bring items that we need or maybe your youth group wants to hold a car wash or craft fair to benefit Dakota Woodlands supportive services for families. If you are having a garage sale, a simple fundraising idea could be to collect change for Dakota Woodlands as a part of the event. Please think of us for a collection of change, paper products or other 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.
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We are so grateful for the many people who donate items from their garage sales or simply love to shop at garage sales and think of us. Our resident store is where we have wonderful items that residents earn for their new homes. We need kitchen items... specifically blenders and other small kitchen appliances, sets of pots and pans, silverware, pot holders, kitchen towels, cereal bowls and sturdy plastic glasses.
Our other needs include...
• New adult and children's socks
• Barely used seasonal clothing for young boys.
We update our web site frequently, please go to the Current Needs page to learn about what is most needed at the time. Please contact Abby at 651-289-3567 (direct phone number) or email resource@dakotawoodlands.org if you'd like to collect items for us.
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3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org