January 2008
Our mission is to empower homeless women to create stable futures for their families.
Links:
From Our Executive Director:
Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
January is National Mentoring Month
After the fun/chaos/excitement of the holidays, you would think that January would be somewhat quiet by comparison, and in some ways it has been. But, for the residents and staff at Dakota Woodlands, the process of finding permanent housing, in addition to addressing the needs or services that families may have, keeps everyone very busy! Homelessness isn't just a matter of not having a place to live, it's a matter of education, finances, relationships, health, resources and self-esteem. We don't want our residents to simply have a home, we want them to have good lives, for themselves and for their children. Our staff, both paid and volunteer, is passionate about what they do and about helping families to succeed. There is simply nothing more thrilling than knowing that you have helped someone believe in themselves again.
January is National Mentoring Month and in this month's Dakota Digest, we would like to highlight a few of the "mentors" that share their time, talent and hearts with the residents of Dakota Woodlands. Bijan Riahi, a senior at Burnsville High School tutors children after school and Joyce Rasmussen, a retired teacher, helps women get their GED's, as well as College Prep and Career Assessments.
2008 promises to be an interesting year. We continue to be focused on our mission; to empower homeless women to create stable futures for their families. And, as I've said many times before, we couldn't do it without your help! Thank you so much for giving of your time, donations, resources, and most of all, your hearts. Which reminds me...Have a Wonderful Valentines Day!
Coming Soon!
Home Sweet Home Desserts!
"Five Stars"
Pre-order our new Home Sweet Home Desserts featuring 25 recipes from former and current residents of Dakota Woodlands. All of the recipes have been tested in our very own kitchen and received rave reviews from our very picky panel of experts. The cost is a suggested donation of *$10.00 and will be ready for delivery in February.
Don't miss out on getting this limited edition collection of desserts that will please your palette, impress your friends and support Dakota Woodlands!
*All proceeds will benefit supportive services for the women and children of Dakota Woodlands.
Volunteers of the Month
Mentoring at Dakota Woodlands
We're A Team
Joyce Rasmussen
Joyce Rasmussen looks like a teacher. She has that air about her; the combination of authority and infinite patience that all great 6th grade school teachers have—an ability to keep you focused and “on task” while remaining calm, cool and collected. For 35 years Joyce taught 6th graders in the St. Paul school district and after her retirement, taught ESL classes in Rosemount. After volunteering a few times as a tutor at Dakota Woodlands, Joyce decided to devote all her attention to helping the residents further their education. For over a year now, Joyce has been tutoring, teaching, and mentoring women as they study for their GED’s, prepare for college or take career assessment tests. It’s obvious after talking to Joyce for 5 minutes about her experiences at Dakota Woodlands that she is passionate about teaching, passionate about empowering women to get an education and passionate about Dakota Woodlands.
“I tell women that it’s never to late to get an education. They’ve faced so many obstacles that sometimes they just need some encouragement that they can achieve their educational goals”, says Joyce. “Getting a GED takes hard work; it takes dedication to get that certificate. But these women are smart and they want to learn.”
Joyce always lets the women know that she wants to be on their team, that whenever it seems that they’re starting to get discouraged or lose confidence saying, we can do this rather than having all the responsibility for success resting solely on the resident’s shoulders. “I do think it’s important for these women to know that we’re in this together and if they are struggling to learn something one way, we can try it from a different angle. People have different leaning styles and it’s just a matter of finding that out.”
“I think what I’m doing is planting a seed. Many of the women I’ve tutored have gone on to finish what we were working on here. Recently, I heard that one of the moms that I’d help study for her GED did get her certificate and has even started looking at going to college,” said Joyce. For her, it isn’t just about helping women; it’s about helping them be role models for their children. That no matter obstacles they face, with time management skills and self-discipline, they can do anything. “We can’t do everything, we can’t have everything, but if we choose to focus on those things that matter the most to ourselves and our children, we can accomplish our goals. It might take a little time and we may have to sacrifice a little here or there, but we can do it.”
We All Need Someone To Believe in Us
Bijan Riahi
Bijan Riahi is an amazing kid and a special friend at Dakota Woodlands. He is a senior at Burnsville High School, attends classes at both Normandale and Inver Hills Community College, volunteers at a local hospital, involved in Boy Scouts, and has been tutoring kids after school at Dakota Woodlands since September 2006. He first got involved through another Scout in his troop, whose mother happened to be the former Education Coordinator at Dakota Woodlands, Jill Jones.
“Jill noticed that I spent a lot of time with the younger scouts, helping them with projects or just encouraging them. She suggested that I would be a good tutor and I thought it sounded fun.” Bijan filled out an application and began coming to Dakota Woodlands every Thursday after school to help kids with their homework. “I guess I see it as more than just being a tutor. Right away I realized that being someone they could rely on and trust was just as important as helping them with their math.”
Bijan is also interested in comedy; he loves to tell jokes and said that he uses humor to help build a rapport with the new kids that he meets. “I might play basketball with them or just ask them what they’re interested in; I try to find out what they’re passionate about and build on that. One girl was really into poetry and I write poetry too, so that seemed like a great place to start,” said Bijan.
When asked if it was hard for him to develop a relationship with the kids and then say goodbye when they move out of Dakota Woodlands, Bijan said, “There are always new kids that need help, I have to focus on ‘the now’ and try and help them as much as I can while they’re here. I’ve had people in my life who have said something encouraging or taught me something that was difficult for me to learn, and I’ll never forget them. I want to be that for someone else and I think I have been.”
Bijan enjoys working with kids of all ages. “All of them have hopes and dreams and they want to learn. I know that education is the way for them to achieve their life’s goals and if I can help build their confidence about learning, that’s awesome.”
Bijan plans to be a pediatrician and feels that the experience he’s had at Dakota Woodlands has helped prepare him for a career working with children. He sees kids as people and believes it’s important for adults to treat them with respect and try to see things from their point of view. “My family has always been there for me”, he says “and I’ve always been able to express my opinions and ideas. They’ve always supported me and made me feel that I matter, that I can make a difference.” Bijan has definitely made a difference at Dakota Woodlands and we have no doubt that he will make a fabulous pediatrician.
For more information about giving, please contact: info@dakotawoodlands.org
3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
651-456-9110
