Chef For A Day

March 13th was a special night for Kids Connection 5th graders.  This is the night the Kids Connection staff honor our students by executing a thoughtful recognition dinner. We all know without a doubt here at Perspectives that our volunteers make each and every event come alive. Well, this night was no exception.  I will tell a tale of a chef who made this night smooth as silk when it could have been a different story. Our own full time Chef Dan was out unexpectedly on the day the event was to take place. One of our newest Chefs in the café volunteering that night was Joseph Arcand. He is a recent graduate of the culinary program at MCTC and just started in our café as a volunteer in February.  Mayme Casey, Director of the Children’s Program offered Joe the opportunity to make the event come together since he had the skills
it took to make it happen. Mayme explained the menu, the time dinner was to be on the table
and a few more important details.

Joe jumped right in and led the food portion of the event with skill and poise. The night was a huge success because this recent graduate had the confidence and blended all the skills needed to make this night look easy.
A job well did Joe. We are glad you are a part of the Kids Connection team.

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Cozy In The Kitchen

Do you want a fun activity to do and help out our great cause? Well then I have just the
thing for you! It is called “Get Cozy in the Kitchen”. You can join Sue Zelickson for an intimate gathering celebrating innovative kitchen trends and designs. Enjoy life chef demos, food stations and wine tasting. This event will take place at the Crystal Kitchen Center, 3620 Winnetka Ave N.,on March 22nd from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is just $10.00 a person with all proceeds going to Perspectives Kids Cafe.

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2012 Winter /Spring Orientation Volunteer Training

Last week, Perspectives’ hosted a volunteer training. Present, were 16 incoming volunteers
for the Kids Connection and the Parenting Time Program.
Laura Rogers, Director of Volunteers,opened up the orientation training with a circle space.
Circle spaces help with a community feel and a positive energy flow.
Mayme Casey, Director of Children’s Programs and her teaching staff trained their volunteers on topics such as:conflict management, behavior management,responsive classroom theory and much more.
A great way to describe this new group of volunteers is eager. They declared that volunteering for our population at Perspectives had them wanting to make a great impact. A great impact they will make by assisting in the classrooms, cafe,and parenting time sessions.
We welcome all of you with open arms. Perspectives’ knows that without volunteers we could not do the extraordinary work that we do with families. You are a valuable asset to our programs and we are so glad you chose our agency to volunteer.

“Volunteers make the world go round.” Laura Rogers

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Immaculate Conception Volunteers

Last Wednesday we were graced with a great group of volunteers from Immaculate Conception Church
in Watertown, Minnesota. Ten volunteers and ten mentors came to do service work for their confirmation class.
From the moment they arrived they jumped right in to our playground fielding fly balls,

tossing Frisbees, and playing tag with the kids from Kids Connection.We then adjourned to Kids Cafe to bake pretzels wrapped in dough. The dough was decidedly uncooperative but, with the assistance of our enthusiastic volunteers, soon we had a delicious snack. It being such a large group of volunteers, some worked at cleaning and organizing toys, some baked, some kneaded dough, but each one did it with a joyful heart. So we ended the evening with content children, full tummies and a clean storage room.


Thanks to all of you volunteers. We really appreciated your help.
Bernadette and Child Care Crew

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Solera Sunday's

A few weeks back, Jorge Guzman, Executive Chef at Solera Restaurant, mentioned to Perspectives Board Member Sue Zelickson, that he would like to do something special for the families in our Supportive Housing program.  That conversation grew into a generous offering that we now call Solera Sunday’s!  

On the 3^rd Sunday of each month one of our SHP families is invited to enjoy a free dinner at Solera.  From the valet parking, to the nine course meal, the mothers and children expressed such sincere gratitude for the kindness they felt.  The relaxed nature of the Solera dining experience gives our families plenty of time to soak up their exquisite surrounds and engage in wonderful conversation.  

A sincere and warm thank you to Jorge Guzman and Sue Zelickson for taking the time to care and touch the lives of our families.  Next time you visit Solera (or if you haven’t put it on your short list of dining experiences) take the time to thank Jorge and his entire staff making our residents feels like they were the most important people on the earth.

Respectfully,

Laura Rogers

Director of Volunteers

Perspectives

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A Night To Remember

Buzzing in the background of our charming cafe, one could hear smooth jazz playing as January 25^Th became a night to remember for Perspectives residents. Perspectives hosted the Supportive Housing Program Recognition Event which happens two times per year.  Glowing candles, fresh flowers, and fine dining set the mood for this amazing event.

Our women work hard on their journey to freedom from addiction.  On this night, Perspectives staff and their housing community will recognize, honor, and treasure them.  Medallions, words of praise, gratitude, and hope fill the air.  A guest chef, guest poet, and motivational speaker, all volunteers, are all part of the event and make all the women feel special and deserving.

More volunteers make up the kitchen crew that prepared and served a superb baked chicken dinner.  The dinner was topped off with rich chocolate cake.  Smiles were everywhere.

Each woman attending, you make us proud, volunteers you make us smile, staff, you are an incredible group that helps women know without a doubt that they are worthy, lovable, capable and ready to give back to their communities.

Laura Rogers

Director of Volunteers

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Mrs. Kelly's Tea Donates Proceeds to Perspectives

Last weekend Mindy Kelly, owner of Mrs. Kelly’s Tea, once again hosted her holiday tea tasting event.   Over 20 vendors joined Mindy and her 100+ teas, to taste many holiday treats, sip some of the finest teas around and come together to celebrate the holidays.  Guests were asked to provide a $2 donation and/or a nonperishable food item.  Funds collected for the event once again went to Perspectives and the food went to Second Harvest Food Shelf.  Thank you Mindy for your continued generosity and support of our Kids Cafe program.   If you are looking for a GREAT holiday gift for the tea lover in your life go and visit http://mrskellystea.com. 

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Mrs. Kelly's Tea

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The final countdown to giveMN.org

In 10 Days!

          

The Great Minnesota Give Together

On November 16^th thousands of people will show the world why Minnesota is the most generous state on the planet!  Last year, more than 42,000 donors logged on to GiveMN.org and gave over $10 million to Minnesota charities in 24 hours during Give to the Max Day!

Together, we have the power to raise thousands of dollars for Perspectives!

What difference will YOUR gift make?

·         It will help to provide a nutritious, healthy FDA approved meal to an at-risk child

·         It will help to provide a fully furnished apartment to a homeless women and her children

·         It will help to provide after school education to a kindergarten thru 8^th grader in need of academic assistance

·         It will help to provide a safe place for a child to meet with their non-custodial parent

·         It will help to provide hope to a family with little hope left

On November 16^th, every donation you make gives Perspectives a chance to receive even more money.

First, a $1,000 “Golden Ticket” will be given to a random donor’s charity every hour.  Perspectives could be that charity! Also, your donation on November 16^th could put us on the leaderboard. $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 prize grants will be awarded to the top three nonprofit organizations which receive the most dollars in 24 hours during Give to the Max Day.

Start spreading the word and plan on getting involved, for your gift will make a REAL difference in the lives of the women and children we serve. 

“Celebrating 35 Years of Breaking Cycles & Creating Hope”

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Open Closet Night at Perspectives

Twice a year Kevin Quinn, the owner of StyledLife at the Galleria, and his manager Tim Creagan turn the upper level of Perspectives Family Center into a chic boutique.  Rolling racks of beautiful clothes, shoes, purses, accessories, stylists and make-up artists come together to provide our women the clothes and wardrobe experience needed to excel in the workplace. 

October 26^th is our next Open Closet Night and donations are greatly needed for sizes 18 and up.  We are looking for brand new or very gently used larger women’s’ clothes for this special night. 

In 2010 Kevin & Tim were honored as our Community Partner Award winners…please watch this video and you will witness the power of this wonderful event.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh-6QW20CEY

Call Laura if you can help out.  Up to ten volunteers are needed between 1:00 -9:00 P.M.

Call Laura

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Cargill Animal Nutrition Does It Again!

CARGILL DOES IT AGAIN!
For over 30 years Cargill has been a tremendous supporter of Perspectives.  Their assistance has come in the form of financial gifts, in-kind donations, sponsoring special events and many, many volunteers. Each year numerous business units, such as OELD, Horizon Milling, Animal Nutrition and Canola Oil, come to our South Campus to cook in our Kids Cafe and/or mentor our young people.  In fact, during the school year the second day of the week is called “Cargill Tuesday”. It is so much fun going into the cafe and seeing the smiling faces of the Cargill employees in their yellow t-shirts.
Well last week the Animal Nutrition Division hit a homerun when they partnered with Erik the Bike Man and donated bikes to twenty four of our children that live in our Supportive Housing program. The kids were picked up in a Lee Lines coach bus (I wish you could have seen the children's faces when they stepped inside of it) and driven to Lake Ann Park in Chanhassen where the Cargill employees where holding their Cargill Green Day. 
Each child was able to pick out their own bike that a Cargill team member put together that very day. They also received a bike helmet and lock.  We then hopped on a bus and drove back to Perspectives North Housing campus and watched in amazement as each child jumped on the bike they had chosen. What a sight to see.
Thank you Cargill for the bikes you bought and put together with Erik the Bike Man. And thank you Kym Weiland from the Animal Nutrition business unit for your coordination and support of the agency. Our kids are so happy. What is summer as a child without a bike?

Laura Rogers
Director of Volunteers

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Minnesota Twins and Hope Week

03/23/2011 10:59 AM ET Minnesota Twins Announce Plans for "Hope Week" Week of Giving and Volunteerism will run from June 12-18

Twins Headlines

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Twins Community Fund announced today the creation of Hope Week in 2011. Hope Week will take place from June 12 to 18 and is an entire week dedicated to giving back to the community, as well as volunteer efforts led by Twins players.
Hope Week will begin with Justin Morneau's annual Casino Night public fundraiser for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis on June 12. During each of the remaining days of the week, different Twins players will lead groups of teammates to participate in a number of preselected volunteer activities at various locations, agencies, and organizations. The activities will be a surprise to the recipients.
Also during the week, Joe and Lisa Nathan, along with the Minnesota Twins Wives Organization, will host their annual Hang with the Majors public event to raise funds for military families.
The week will culminate on Saturday, June 18 with an on-field event where deserving youth from Twins Territory will have a chance to meet the entire Twins team. This event will replace the team's annual Autograph Party.
"The move to Target Field's more intimate setting changed the Autograph Party event as such that we were forced to limit ticket sales and could not offer the free activities that we did on the Metrodome's spacious plaza," said Kevin Smith, Executive Director of Public Affairs. "The Autograph Party became simply an autograph session for a relatively limited number of fans and a growing number of memorabilia collectors, so fewer and fewer families and children were able to attend this event."
The launch of Hope Week will allow the Minnesota Twins to touch many more people in more meaningful ways. Hope Week will be a week long effort by the entire organization to reach into the community and make a difference in peoples' lives. The week of events will also operate as a call to action for Twins fans everywhere to volunteer in their communities.
About the Twins Community Fund Established as a nonprofit organization in 1991, the mission of the Twins Community Fund is to enrich local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through and association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins. The Twins Community Fund is governed by a board of directors representative of the Upper Midwest. Target, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Best Buy, U.S. Bank and Delta Air Lines are Cornerstone Partners; contributing annually to the Twins Community Fund. For more information or to make a contribution, visit www.twinsbaseball.com/community.

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New Perspectives: Santa comes to Perspectives Inc to Spread Holiday ...

New Perspectives: Santa comes to Perspectives Inc to Spread Holiday ...: "Park Tavern restaurant and the St. Louis Park Fire department, spread holiday cheer for the second Annual Toy Drive for Perspectives I..."

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Santa comes to Perspectives Inc to Spread Holiday Cheer on a firetruck?

Park Tavern restaurant  and the St. Louis Park Fire department, spread holiday cheer for the second Annual Toy Drive for Perspectives Inc families. What an incredible duo these two local businesses' make.
 On December 16th we heard a fire truck screaming out it's song  in front of our street on Gorham.  Our staff, including myself, ran out to greet this lovely noise and witnessed  Santa Clause riding on the St. Louis Park fire truck.

Filled to over flowing  in the fire truck, were loads and loads of toys for our at risk families. What a lovely sight it was to see. Our parenting time program was the lucky recipient of this joyous generosity. We met all the staff from park tavern restaurant and the St. Louis Park fire department and all it's elves that helped pull this holiday drive together. They sure brought the real holiday spirit to Perspectives inc and the children.  This is what the holidays are meant to stand for:  Hope, love and generosity. Park Tavern and St. Louis Park Fire Department, you have touched our families and we will never forget it.

Fire Department:
Fire Chief Luke Stemmer
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Dobesh (Santa)
Fire Marshal Cary Smith
Lt. Paul Seinhilber
Lt. Eva Schlegel
Lt. Shawn Glapa
Firefighter Matt Nordby
Firefighter John Hale
Firefighter Sean McKenna
Firefighter Adam Lockrem

Park Tavern:
Chef Daniel Cleary
Manager MaryAnn Miller

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General Mills Holiday Store at Perspectives Inc./ Meals Division

General Mills, Meals division does it again.  For the eighth consecutive year in a row, they have provided our Kids Connection students with hope for the holidays and loving structure.  Each year during the holiday season, General Mills Meals division, donates gifts for each student in the Kids Connection program to shop for their significant primary care giver(s)  As Mayme Casey, Director of the Children's' Program at Perspectives Inc states, their primary caregiver may be a grandma or a aunt, or older sister.  They get to shop throughout the upstairs or the rotunda at Perspectives which General Mills employees sets up ever so creatively. The set up is wonderful with a variety of gifts from which the students can pick from.

The look on these children's' faces is priceless.  One of the children asked, " Can I buy for my mom and my dad?"  The General Mills volunteer reassures this young boy that Yes, you can buy for mom and dad.  This is one of the many moments caught as this quality program and quality corporation and it's volunteers spread holiday cheer at Perspectives for the kids.

General Mills Meals division, we at Perspectives Inc hold you in high regard.  Our students will be able to give to their family during the holiday.  Your impact on our students, and the entire staff at Perspectives Inc is felt in a very strong way.

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Muddy Paws Cheesecake Donates Toys to Perspectives Inc Families

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Open Closet Night At Perspectives Inc- Styled Life Makes a Great Impact

Open Closet Night

What a blessed night for our homeless women in recovery. At Perspectives Inc. we put on an open closet night twice a year for the women that live in our housing program. From 5-9:00 P.M. we open our doors for a styled life for our women. We have one coming up on November 16th and we are gearing up.  We are looking for volunteers and any donation of clothes from size 18 to 4x. 

These women walk in the door in sweats and walk out dressed up smart and classy. They will be going out in the community for interviews for jobs/colleges. The transformation of these women is awe inspiring. Here are two men that own a high fashion store and donate their time and energy to serving our women. They dress our women for success. The women are so beautiful and know it when they walk out the door. It is amazing how much better we all feel when we are dressed smart. Kevin Quinn, the founder of StyledLife says that what he does with his entire staff is more about what they don't do, than what they do. They are wardrobe experts, they do not sell clothes because they want to educate the public on how to dress with the clothes they have.

Perspectives Inc is privileged to work with our at-risk families. Perspectives staff and families are honored to work and partner with those in the community like Tim Creagan and Kevin Quinn who care so much about our women in our housing. They are such great role models and set the standard height about how to give back in the community. Tim and Kevin want the women in our housing program to look and feel like every other woman out in the community. These men are so generous with their time and their donations of clothes. I would never be exposed to this kind of generosity if I did not have a career at Perspectives Inc. They also hold a health and wellness group here at Perspectives for our women so they can see that self care is a daily, minute by minute choice.

We are a family center that serves the forgotten and the toughest part of all of us. We need to remember that we all have our wounds. We are all broken in some way, shape or form. I am just reminded of this day in and day out because of the work we do here at Perspectives Inc.  We all have issues and it is what it is. To have community and people you care about you helping support you in those times of trouble is what makes us humans so amazing. That is why you must check out StyledLook website.

Please know that the homeless and families in poverty live right next to you. They are not some population out there. They are your neighbors, your friends, your relatives.

We all need to give back and why not do it where your most passionate.  perspectives Inc is always looking for passionate willing volunteers.   We all need each other. We are all a family in this world and are much more alike than we are different. Please, just watch and learn from Kevin Quinn, founder of a thriving business about using the clothes and accessories you already have. See that to give back is sometimes greater than being given to.

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