|
|
To request this information in another language or format, please contact secomo@secomo.org.
Para solicitar esta información en otro idioma o en un formato diferente, por favor contacta secomo@secomo.org.
Xav thov nug nplooj ntawv no rau lwm hom lus los yog daim ntawv, thov hu rau secomo@secomo.org.
Si aad u codsato foomkan oo qaab ama luqad kale ah, fadlan la xiriir secomo@secomo.org.
E-comotion and Happenings releases will be switching to bi-weekly for the winter season! That means we'll be sending out slightly larger emails less often, but we'll also be able to keep each email fresh with new and relevant info!
Please contact e-comotion@secomo.org if you'd like to contribute something to the newsletter, or for any questions or suggestions!
(List of all upcoming events listed on the left sidebar.)
We're Excited to Introduce our new Executive Director, Lesley Moore!
Lesley has worked in nonprofit and community organizing - in the arts, social services, education, youth services and environment and sustainability - mainly focused in fund and organizational development, as well as administration and programs.
With her community organizing experience and education in permaculture/systems thinking, social work and business she seeks to support SECIA and the SE Como neighborhood as a servant leader to create more caring, just and equitable communities for all.
Whether you have been involved with SECIA for a long time or SECIA is new to you, I would love to meet and connect with you! Contact me at lesleymoore@secomo.org if you would be interested in finding a time to talk about what matters most to you in our neighborhood.
SECIA Board & Community Meeting
March 14th 6:30-8:30pm HYBRID via Zoom and
@ NE College Prep Lower Conference Room
301 NE Industrial Blvd
The meeting will be held in Hybrid format: both in person at the NE College Prep Lower Conference Room, 301 NE Industrial Blvd; and remotely, via Zoom. All are welcome!
SECIA Community Project Night
Tues. March 21st 6:30-8:30pm HYBRID via Zoom
and @ NE College Prep Lower Conference Room
301 NE Industrial Blvd
Land Use Committee
Join our next meeting on Weds. March 22nd
7:00-8:30pm via Zoom
All are welcome to join and partake in the discussion!
Environment Committee
Join our next meeting on Tues. March 28th
6:00-7:30pm via Zoom
All are welcome to join and partake in the discussion!
– Help Needed –
Good Neighbor Fund Grants
SECIA needs YOUR help to develop Good Neighbor Fund grant-funded programs for the SE Como neighborhood community!
The overall purpose of the GNF grants is to enhance and protect the beauty, serenity, and security of the communities around the University of Minnesota (Mpls & St. Paul). All grant applications from our community must be sent by SECIA,
They are due at 5 pm on March 30 and must be reviewed and endorsed by SECIA before being sent in for consideration. SECIA will act as the fiscal agent for any GNF grants submitted through SECIA. For more information, see https://government-relations.umn.edu/good-neighbor-fund or talk to board president DeWayne Townsend or kathy@secomo.org
Art in the Gardens Grant
This grant is meant to encourage people to come to our various community gardens and take a good look – and document what might inspire them about our beautiful neighborhood garden green spaces! This is a 2022 awarded GNF grant that will be completed over the 2023 summer months as our gardens are growing and changing.
We are still looking for two more artists to lead two sessions each. Note that there is a stipend of $50 for each session taught. Hoping for one junior or senior art student and one artist from CW Lofts. Contact kathy@secomo.org if you want more information or are interested.
Art Fair in the Park Grant
This is also a GNF grant that was awarded in Sept of 2022. It will be held on Saturday, July 15, at Van Cleve Park. There will be four major areas of the Fair:
- Arts and Crafts outdoor sales (for vendors, along with small art and craft projects and classes)
- Music and Dance (with diverse artists that make you want to move)
- Prose and Poetry (with book sales and a live mic for readings)
- An Art Show for students and non-professionals (to be held in the gym, with small prizes)
We'll need subcommittees of 3 to 4 people for each area and eventually lots of both volunteers for the art fair and participants in the art fair. Will have more information as planning continues. Again, contact kathy@secomo.org if you want to help.
Escape to the Tropics
Wednesday, March 8, 1:30 – 2:30 PM, Van Cleve Park
Educational presentation on tropical places and plants, then create bright paper flowers to take a bit of the tropics home! All materials provided. To register call Minneapolis Community Education at 612-668-1022 or visit the online registration site by clicking here.
History of the Minneapolis Central Library
Wednesday, March 22, 1:30 – 2:30 PM, Hennepin County Minneapolis Central Library
Guided tour of the downtown building focusing on four floors of art, unique architecture, and large book collections. To register, call Minneapolis Community Education at 612-668-1022 or visit the online registration site by clicking here
Superfund Site Neighborhood areas:
Upcoming March EPA Visit in SE COMO.
The EPA has announced an upcoming in-person site visit to do a week of in-person interviews, Q & A, resource connection, etc. to any and all interested community members living within either of the General Mills or SE Hennepin Superfund sites.
The EPA will be at the Arvonne Fraser Library the entire week of Mar 27-31 to be available to meet with folks in 1:1 meetings, to learn more about:
- Who lives here / who's impacted by the TCE pollution in the Superfund site neighborhood areas?
- What info do people need; what concerns do people have, what resources do people need to be connected with to address these, if these go beyond the scope of EPA's immediate knowledge?
- What is the best way to connect and communicate to people, with this info/resources?
Using all the info they gather at this weeklong session of 1:1 meetings, they will derive their community action plan for the Superfund sites and impacted neighborhoods/community members.
Be sure to keep an eye out for mail from the EPA this month with more information about the upcoming meeting times in March.
Volunteers Needed to Help Eastside Meals on Wheels
Can you help Eastside Meals on Wheels deliver? The labor crisis has led to a declining volunteer workforce. How much of a decline? Over one third of Area Agencies on Aging have lost at least 50% of their volunteers since 2019! Relying on volunteers helps us serve older adults low- to no-cost meals and helps them remain in their own homes longer.
SE Como Home Improvement Loan Program
Start the year with home improvements
Have you been putting off making home improvements? The start of the new year is the perfect time to stop waiting and start making them happen! And you don’t have to take on these projects alone. The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) and the City of Minneapolis can help with easy financing programs designed specifically for Minneapolis residents.
As Minnesotans, we all know that winter is far from over. The CEE and Minneapolis can help you make home improvements to stay warm on those below zero days. From insulating your attic to new windows to a fresh coat of paint, whatever your home improvement needs might be, CEE and Minneapolis can help with their variety of home improvement and energy loans.
Various home loans are available in partnership with SE Como/Minneapolis, the Center for Energy and Environment, and Equal Opportunity Housing to help you finance the home improvements you need to stay warm this season.
Click here for a fast-fact sheet about the different options.
Learn more about loan options and apply on the CEE website
MPD Second Precinct Advisory Council (2-PAC) Updates
Next Meeting: March 13th at 6:30pm via Zoom.
The Front Door
We originally announced that The Front Door would be presenting in February, but events got in the way of that. They will be speaking to us on MARCH 13.
However, In February, Judge William Neiman commented at 2-PAC that Hennepin County is presenting all this information because they want to reach out to underserved communities. Too many people are unaware of the many life-saving and health-saving free and voluntary services available to them in Hennepin County. And, if the voluntary services fail, concerned friends and family of a person having behavioral or emotional difficulties, may have a legal option to keep their loved ones safe.
There are disparities in the legal system. The HCAO believes those disparities are not due to racism or bias, but only due to lack of knowledge about the resources available.
Join us on March 13, to learn about The Front Door and how it works for us and for people we care about.
-Emilie Quast, Board member
MPD Second Precinct Advisory Council
People for PSEO:
Information about PSEO
Next fall, I will graduate early and completely debt-free from the University of Minnesota, because I was able to leverage the PSEO program during high school. As a resident of SE Como I want other students and families to know about this experience because it is truly life changing, and too few in our communities know about it.
PSEO stands for Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, and allows any 10th-12th grade student in Minnesota to take courses at colleges and other post-secondary institutions across the state, free of cost for tuition, books, and lab fees. Tenth grade students can take one career and technical education course their first semester, and more in their second semester. Students in 11th and 12th grade can take as many classes as their chosen institution allows, in any subject. They can take these courses full-time, part-time, online, or in-person, allowing students to personalize their experience and balance their time in high school with their time in college. By taking college courses in high school through PSEO, students save time and money on their post-secondary education.
Many students and families I have spoken to about PSEO have been uninformed about the opportunity and the benefits, and many have mentioned that they wish they had known about it during their high school years. I think it is very important that every student knows about this program, and I encourage prospective students to learn about their options! If you want more information visit People for PSEO @ peopleforpseo.org or the Minnesota Department of Education website.
---
Beatrice R Handlin
University of Minnesota
Vice President - People for PSEO
She/Her/Hers
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)
are now accepting applications for the following positions:
Partnership Engagement Fund
Now Open for Applicants!
The City's Partnership Engagement Fund is now open for applications. Community-based organizations (like SECIA), groups and individuals can apply for funding for small-scale, meaningful projects to make Minneapolis communities more socially connected, healthy and safe.
In 2023, a total of $1 million is available through small grants of up to $20,000 or up to $50,000 depending on the organization’s budget size. Applicants must work with one of the City’s 70 neighborhood organizations, such as SECIA in our SE Como neighborhood, for their project engaging underrepresented residents in Minneapolis.
Previous community projects have included youth mentorships, public events, garden infrastructure, civic leadership development, entrepreneurship training, addressing health disparities, employment support, youth peace building, corridor development, resources for unsheltered neighbors, community building, youth media and storytelling, arts programming and place-making.
Please take a look at the City's Partnership Engagement Fund website for more information, and if you'd like to work with SECIA on any proposals contact us at dewayne@secomo.org!
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
looking for volunteer Youth Mentors
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Mentor Program connects youth ages 10-14 to a positive adult role model to support and encourage shared opportunity for learning and growth. We're looking for adults passionate about impacting the lives of Minneapolis youth! Here's how it works:
• You're paired up with a person living in Minneapolis age 10-14
• MPRB provides professional training, orientation and ongoing support
• Mentor activities may include simply checking in or going to planned events/activities in the parks or community
• Professional park staff can suggest activities at the park or potential events and activities offered through partner organizations when opportunities arise
• Have FUN, achieve personal growth, and help shape future leaders
This program requires a minimum 1-year-long commitment, 4-6 hours per month. It's a great chance for someone interested in an impactful, meaningful, long-term volunteer opportunity working with Minneapolis youth in need of positive adult role models.
Resources for free and affordable food
In need of food? Or are you looking for ways to support hunger relief in your community? Check out the Minneapolis food security resources on the City website. You can find locations, hours, contact information, and volunteer/donation needs of local food shelves and food distributions.
To see food shelves by location, explore our map.
Consider donating to SECIA,
When you give to your neighborhood,
your neighborhood gives back to you!
Donations of any size make a huge difference in our ability to serve the neighborhood community. With City budget cuts to neighborhood organizations across the board likely to have a large impact on our funding, individual contributions from neighbors like you are especially important!
Events and projects like these are only
possible with help from people like you:
Click here to visit our GIVE MN page if you'd like to make a donation :)
Click here Complete our Neighborhood Survey!
We need your help in our ongoing efforts to better serve the whole of our SE Como community, especially including our historically underrepresented communities. SECIA wants to learn about your experience living and/or working in SE Como! We will use this information gathered in this survey to learn how to best align SECIA’s work with the priorities of our SE Como community..
SECIA continues to monitor and follow updated CDC and MN Dept. of Health COVID safety guidance. Large SECIA meetings continue to be held virtually at this time. In-person events are primarily held outdoors, and safe distancing and sanitizing/hygiene practices will be followed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
