February 2010
Dakota Woodlands is the only facility specifically for homeless families in our County.
2009 Minnesota Nonprofit Excellence Award Recipient
Links:
From Our Executive Director
Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
Valentine's Day is a fun time at Dakota Woodlands. In the midst of parents being stressed about addressing the issues to improve their situations, we receive lovely gifts to let them know someone is cheering for them.
On Valentine’s Day a mystery donor came here with a rose for each mom. A Girl Scout group delivered cute decorated cupcakes. We had a wonderful Valentine’s Day party complete with making cards, decorating cookies and red punch for everyone. All staff and residents decorated cut out hearts and named who they love. One mom told me about her four year old daughter’s heart that was filled with the names of everyone she’d ever met. We also hosted a gathering with former residents and current residents enjoying treats and encouraging thoughts.
In the midst of these fun times are challenging times that affect our residents and other people who are living in poverty or paycheck to paycheck. We are tracking legislative activities and sending messages about the bills that affect our residents.
Thank you for your support of our work and for reading our Digest.
Best wishes ,
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Saying Goodbye to a special friend
Dan DiMarco
Our facility manager left us after 14 years of great work to attend to other dreams and plans.
Dan's primary responsibilities were maintaining our facility. We all loved it that Dan described his job as doing what he does so that we can do what we all do.
Dan worked part time for nearly all the time we were in our Eagan location. He did so much work in those hours. As many of you have seen, we have a beautiful facility. He saw to it!!! He worked well with all of us, staff, volunteers and residents. He has done many things for Dakota Woodlands. We appreciate all the work he did for us. We value the times that as a kind and helpful person he assisted with our events; from making cotton candy at the end of the school year party to helping out at our Flying Home Event. He has been a gift to all of us here. Thanks Dan for all you gave us. We wish you well.
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Volunteer of the Month
Mitzi DiMarco
We have selected Mitzi Di Marco for our February Volunteer of the Month. As you'll notice from the name, Mitzi is Dan DiMarco's mom.
Mitzi began volunteering here four years ago. She has wonderful organizational skills and helps our Program Director on Fridays with filing and keeping residents’ paperwork in order. Mitzi is a ray of sunshine on Friday mornings. Sometimes our children services staff will declare a particular day "wear purple day." Our program director Barb says, "We can count on Mitzi dressing in purple just like the staff and residents so she can have fun with the rest of us.”
In the winter, Mitzi knits, crochets and volunteers for several groups like the Eagan Resource Center and St John Neumann Church, in addition to Dakota Woodlands.
Mitzi is the mother of 4, grandmother of 7, and great grandmother of 1! She was raised in Iowa, but lived in Bella Vista Arkansas until she moved to Minnesota in 2003. She supports Dakota Woodlands with financial donations and hours of service because she believes our work is worthwhile and needed in our community. We believe she is a true friend and a wonderful role model!
Thanks for all you do for us and others Mitzi
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...How to Help...
Volunteer Opportunities
- Groups to serve meals... would your group like to prepare and serve an evening meal or for a Saturday or Sunday Brunch.
- Evening childcare... we have opportunities any evening 6-8 p.m. to assist with caring for babies, toddlers and school aged children.
- Room painting... we need adults who are willing to paint a few bedrooms and common spaces. If you are available once or once in awhile, this could be an opportunity for you.
- Adopt a room... would your group like to decorate a bedroom at Dakota Woodlands. We have a few rooms that need to be re-decorated.
If you are interested in learning about 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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Current Needs
- Sturdy plastic glasses and silverware for our kitchen
- Full sheet sets
- Full and twin plastic mattress protectors
- AAA and 9 volt batteries
- Medium and large sized latex gloves for kitchen and cleaning
- Wet wipes for babies
- Heavy duty trash bags (32 gallon and larger)
- Baby monitors (new or gently used is great)
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Help us to collect a pot of gold
This year is our 30th anniversary. During the month of March we are seeking 30 groups to help collect change to fill a pot with "gold."
We're hoping to raise $5,000 for the move-out and follow up services offered for all families leaving Dakota Woodlands. We provide a move-out kit of cleaning supplies and food when families leave here. Then, comprehensive and timely follow up services assist families with continuing to accomplish their goals and remain stable in their housing.
Local businesses are helping us to do this by placing our festive St. Patrick’s Day themed coin canisters at their place of business. So, please toss your coins in to assist us in this way.
If you are willing to pass a coin canister at a local meeting, we welcome your support in this way too. You can even give virtually... join our Pot of Gold Fundraiser on our on line site at GiveMN.org by clicking on our pot of gold (above). Donations of all sizes will help us to reach our goal.
With your help, we'll bring good luck to all our residents at the end of their rainbow.
For more information, Please contact Abby at 651-289-3567 or email her,
This is also the link to give to our Pot Of Gold Project...
http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Dakota-Woodlands-Pot-Of-Gold-Project
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Help introduce us to others
We's appreciate your assistance in introducing Dakota Woodlands to your friends, group or family. We have a wonderful story to share. We are the current recipients of the Nonprofit Excellence Award. We'd love to come to the next meeting of your women's club, religious, civic or neighborhood group and bring our short DVD, stories of successes, challenges and ways that you and your group can be involved in our work... we'll even bring our beautiful award.
Please contact us... Abby or Reyne at 651-456-9110.
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3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org