Rosemount Neighborhoods Collect Donations on National Night Out

Rosemount Police Officers Rosa and Enger

Tuesday, August 7, 2007 was National Night Out and for the third year in a row, the Rosemount Police Department asked neighborhoods in Rosemount to consider collecting donations for Dakota Woodlands, the only short-term homeless shelter in Dakota County for women and children. “We had 26 neighborhoods in Rosemount that participated this year and we received donations from every one of them,” said Officer Chad Rosa, the Community Resources Officer for the Rosemount Police Department.

Neighborhood organizers distributed flyers letting people know about Dakota Woodlands and the specific items that were needed. In addition to socializing, enjoying root beer floats and having fun, neighborhoods throughout Rosemount collected paper products, non-perishable food items, household goods, money as well as gift certificates for everything from school supplies to movie tickets. On the Thursday following National Night Out, Officer Rosa, along with Karin Enger, the Community Services Officer from the Rosemount Police Department, delivered 35 bags filled with much needed donations to Dakota Woodlands. They even carried it all in!

It's that kind of community support that helps families get back on their feet so that they can find housing. Thanks Rosemount!!!

Independence Day!

This article is from the current issue of the Dakota Digest, our online e-newsletter. To read the newsletter or to subscribe, click here: Dakota Digest

From Our Executive Director:

Reyne Branchaud-Linsk

Independence Day:
Empowering Women to be Self-Sufficient

Life can be overwhelming in the best of circumstances. We all want to be independent, to be able to take care of ourselves and our families; to not have to ask anyone for money, rides or a place to live. Many of the women that come to Dakota Woodlands have relied on friends and family for support and, for whatever reason, that help is no longer available.They need to learn the skills necessary to better care for themselves and their families. But being self-sufficient doesn't mean you never ask for help; it means that you know when you do need help and where to find it.

When our residents leave Dakota Woodlands to move into their own homes, we want them to feel they are capable of handling what comes their way. It's important that they develop a sense of independence and have the confidence to not only deal with the inevitable ups and downs of everyday living, but can also manage a household. This might mean they need help learning to plan healthy meals, how to manage their finances, scheduling inexpensive familiy fun or maybe how to get rides to doctor's appointments.

We collaborate with the University of Minnesota Extension Services to teach nutrition classes and meal preparation. Using a budget, we help them create a menu and a grocery list, how to use coupons and/or store specials and how to cook healthy, economical meals for their familiy. We also stress the importance of sitting down as a family for as many meals as they can and to have regular meal times.

Transportation is often an issue— they may have been depending on friends or family to give them rides or may never have used public transportation before. We help people figure out bus routes and let them know about other transportation services they may be eligible to use, such as getting to medical appointments,etc.

Finding things to do as a family on a limited income can be challenging, but not impossible! Moms may not be aware of the "cheap" entertainment that's available to them in the Metro Area. There are dollar movies, free museum days, free concerts in the park throughout the summer and even scholarships to the YMCA that they can apply to. Maybe their kids haven't been able to participate in school athletics or other extra-curricular activities because of the expense. There is scholarship money available through their school district that they can apply for.

I hope you’re all having a wonderful summer so far! Thank you again for your generous support. Every day we see the changes made in the lives of families who are able to go from no homes to their own homes.

Reyne