March 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
For me, March is a hold-on-great-weather-is-coming-soon kind of month.
At Dakota Woodlands we were celebrating little known holidays. Of course, many people wore green on St Patrick's Day. But, we celebrated Women's History Month by recognizing the many women who paved the way for others throughout the month. Erin our education coordinator developed a fun game for kids and adults to think about other women. March is also Nutrition Month. Andi, from the University of Minnesota's Extension services has been coming here for years to provide practical tips to families about nutrition, making healthy choices in food and meals on a limited budget through their Simply Good Eating Program. Lastly, on Read Across America Day, we had many reading actiivities and games, including giving books to everyone to enjoy.
Everyday, residents come here and others leave for their new homes. We are so grateful for your assistance to help them to obtain the shelter and services and move to safe and affordable housing.
In this issue of the Digest, you'll read about our volunteers of the month, our Pot of Gold Project and our upcoming HOMES event. Thank you for your support of our work and for reading our Digest.
Best wishes,
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Volunteers of the Month
Sarah and Amanda Hotvedt
This month we've selected two volunteers of the month! Sarah and Amanda Hotvedt are sisters who assist with caring for our children each week and we are very glad they do!
Sarah is 17 years old and a junior at Eagan High School. She participates in student government and the Business Professionals of America Club. She plays Eagan traveling soccer and has coached kids (K-5) in the sport. She also plays the piano when she has spare time. Sarah says she “likes helping the moms by hanging out with the kids giving them a break during the day.”
Amanda, age 14, is in 9th grade at St. Paul Academy. She is a soccer player too, for the varsity team and Eagan traveling soccer. She is a member of Students against Drunk Driving and plays percussion for the school orchestra. Amanda tells us that she has a great time coming here and helping out the with the kids here. She likes to "give back to the community." The girls have a younger sister Rachel, who also plays soccer!
The girls were introduced to Dakota Woodlands through their mom. This great family are members of Mt. Zion Synagogue in St. Paul. We know we can rely on Sarah and Amanda, come rain or shine. They are very dependable, mature, generous girls and we are happy to see them each week. Please join us in recognizing Sarah and Amanda for all they do!!!
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..How to Help...
Volunteer Opportunities
- We've had some wonderful examples of volunteering especially kids helping kids. A girl scout group creative a Tropical Paradise in our dining room. Some children made frames for our families. A college group put together new shelving and rocking chairs for us.
We invite you to assist us as well....
- Evening childcare... we have opportunities Monday and Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m. to assist with caring for babies, toddlers and school aged children, while moms are in our classes and supportive services.
- Groups to serve meals... would your group like to prepare and serve an evening meal or for a Saturday or Sunday Brunch.
- We're ready to start garden plans. If you'd like to help with either our vegetable or flower garden, call us.
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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Pot of Gold
The month is nearly over. We are hoping to meet our goal of collecting
$5,000 (a pot of gold)
Local businesses are supporting us by placing small St.Patrick's Day themed canisters at their places of business so that their customers can donate their change to help us with move out and follow up services. We have every type of business involved, some include: 10 restaurants, 3 coffee shops, 3 dry cleaners, 2 hardware stores, 3 garden nurseries, and 1 ice cream shop. If you come across any of our canisters please consider donating your change and thanking that business for supporting the work of Dakota Woodlands.
There is also an on-line opportunity to join these efforts.
Please link our Pot Of Gold Project...
http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Dakota-Woodlands-Pot-Of-Gold-Project
With your help, we'll bring good luck to all our residents at the end of their rainbow. We look forward to letting you know how much we collected in our April edition of the Dakota Digest!
For more information, Please contact Abby at 651-289-3567 or email her,
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Mark your calendars to attend our HOMES Event
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Saturday May 8th. 8:30-9:30am
Oak Hills Church
1570 Yankee Doodle Road, Eagan, MN
Enjoy a free continental breakfast
Listen to stories of mothers who have experienced homelessness and success
Learn how you can help Dakota Woodlands in their mission
Invite friends and family
RSVP by May 1, 2010
Contact Abby at 651-456-9110, or
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Current Needs
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3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org