july 2008


July 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: Website Contact Us Current Needs Blog DVD Photo Gallery <unsubscribe>		From Our Executive Director: Reyne Branchaud-Linsk Since the majority of our residents are children, we see kids of all ages. Sometimes we have lots of babies and toddlers while at other times our home is full of teenagers. Right now we have 12 teens staying here with their parents. We all know what a complicated time it is being a teenager, so add to that the difficulties faced by being homeless. So much is gone, when you don’t have a home, and you move into our shelter (beautiful as it is) with many other families, experiencing their own stresses. One of the hardest things for a teenager though, is the difficulty of what to share with friends about where you are living or the stresses for family is facing. So, having our children services staff available to listen, care and support them while they are here is so important. Plus they can help them cope with living in a shelter. Their friends may be sleeping late, hanging out and having a fun-packed summer but things are different for those who live here. So, we are also trying to provide a fun summer for children. We are going to the YMCA, the beach, the occasional Twins game and bike rides and walks. We are always in need of donations for things like this, especially gift cards to near-by places the kids can walk to like Dairy Queen, McDonalds and Culvers or Michaels to buy craft supplies, and movie theater passes. If your group would like to plan a Bingo night, craft event, barbecue or the like, it is a perfect time. You’ll also see in the next story about volunteers that assist us, it’s inspiring to have kids helping our kids. We love these win-win situations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Volunteers of the Month Saint John Neumann Tween Program... We’re grateful for all our volunteers, but it’s especially great to see young people giving back. St. John Neumann Catholic Church of Eagan feels the same way. The church developed a program aimed at “Tweens” or kids who aren’t so little anymore but aren’t yet teenagers, to get them involved in the community. This is the third year for this program at St. John Neumann and it allows children going into the 6th grade to volunteer at local non profit organizations like Dakota Woodlands. Twenty spirited young people threw a mini-carnival for the children living here. Everyone involved had a great time. Our kids loved playing the carnival games with the participants of the Tweens Program. It was a great activity. Not all the kids who come from this program through St. John Neumann knew each other before participating. “I would definitely do something like this again. I’d sign up again (if I could).” said one volunteer about why she decided to get involved. “We’re having a lot of fun and I’ve made a lot of friends already,” said another. The parents of the volunteers were obviously proud of their children, for putting on this carnival for our children. “It’s good for the kids to come here and know how blessed as they are, there are children without a home.” said one mother. “It is good for them to see that homelessness doesn’t just exist in downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul, but here in their own neighborhood and it’s an important to give the kids a chance to help out,” said a father. Thank you so much for coming to assist our families. We hope you never lose the desire to give back to those in need. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volunteer Opportunities We know that summer is a busy time. But if you have time to volunteer, we have some specific needs… Assist our house manager in organizing donations, yard work, kitchen help and special projects, once a week for a couple hours (especially on Fridays from 1-3) Receptionist needed weekdays and Saturdays for 2-4 hours Childcare needed mornings and evenings for 2-4 hours Schedule a game night, Bingo Event or picnic for our families, at Dakota Woodlands If you are interested in volunteering please contact Ginni at 651-456-9110 ext. 15 or volunteer@dakotawoodlands.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Neighborhood Watch Parties, Tuesday August 5th, to benefit Dakota Woodlands If your neighborhood is planning a gathering or block party on Tuesday evening, August 5th, please think of Dakota Woodlands 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 cans 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 community can help Dakota Woodlands, contact Lara at 651-456-9110 ext. 12 or email at resource@dakotawoodlands.org. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Current Needs List: Hair brushes and combs Baby Bassinettes in great shape Cribs in great condition, that meet all safety restrictions. Large outside toys, such as push or riding toys Diapers in sizes 1 and 2 Women’s underwear 5-9 Children’s socks Baby monitors (new or used) Women and children’s bathing suits of all sizes Toilet paper and paper towels Garbage bags in 13 or 32 gallon sizes Phone cards for resident long distance calling needs in 30 or 60 minutes Baby laundry detergent 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) If you have items for the wish list please contact Lara at 651-456-9110 ext. 12 or resource@dakotawoodlands.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Special Request for TV Converter Boxes... We only need 9 more!!! 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. ------------------------------------------------------ Dakota Woodlands Acknowledged as the Best Place to Give Back to the Community Thanks to everyone who voted, Eagan Magazine named us the Best Place to Give Back to the Community. We are so grateful to the Eagan Community for acknowledging us and letting others know that Dakota Woodlands is a great place to volunteer, give items and funds to help families in our community. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3430 Wescott Woodlands Eagan, MN 55123 Phone: 651-456-9110 www.dakotawoodlands.org