You Can Make Our Kids Smile- Help With Basket Fixins' For Egg Hunting

You can help us by donating in for the Easter Egg Hunt for our kids in our housing program.

•  62 Baskets needed
•  Basket Grass
• 300 plastic Eggs
• Candy
• Jelly Beans

When do we need it here at our site?  By the week of April 2nd

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

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Cargill's Own Jennifer Montillino and Val Carver Make Holiday Wishes Come True

Two women who get things done for the good of others are Val Carver and Jennifer Montillino. This amazing power house duo lead the “Cargill Holiday Adopt -A –Family Gift Program” for Perspectives’ Supportive Housing residents.  This is the third annual gift program from Cargill employees! It is not an easy job coordinating gifts for 52 women and over 120 children during the holidays.  However, Val & Jennifer made it look so easy…all of our families were adopted by Thanksgiving.

They were able to secure a pod that was housed in Perspectives’ parking lot throughout the holiday season. What a sight to behold, watching Cargill employees dropping off gifts and Laura Rogers, Director of Volunteers at Perspectives’, effortlessly loading them into the pod.  Each year the process of gift coordination and gift delivery becomes easier. Val & Jennifer’s passion, organizational skills and patience are greatly used and help to make this program sail.

Laura Rogers, who manages this partnership each year said, “Val and Jennifer,your hard work has put so much joy into the lives of our families living in our housing program. I have personally had clients here at Perspectives tell me that they could not believe the fantastic gifts they received over the holidays.  One client said, ““Laura, every gift I put on my wish-list was wrapped and given to my family and even ones I had not asked for. We are so very grateful.””

Cargill employees were also touched by their experience and here is what some Cargill employees had to say after the gift program experience.

“This was a rewarding experience. I was humbled by the simple gifts requested by the family member that I adopted and more than happy to purchase the things. I nearly cried when I read her list because so often the world is filled with elaborate “wants” and her wish list was quite simple. I welcome the opportunity to participate in the Adopt-a-Family again next year.”

“My group used the “Adopt-A-Family” program as an opportunity for a team building event. In the face of growing economic concern and instability in the world around us, it was very grounding to be able to pull to together as a team and make the holidays a little better for some local families. It reminded us of the spirit of holiday giving and the gift you get in return.”

“At a time when Cargill was faced with lots of changes related to the economy, we were able to support a fellow team in helping them fulfill their commitment to ‘Adopt a Family’ by providing them with money; based on us exceeding our fundraising goal/need. This was a testament to the Cargill family helping out one another in fulfilling our commitments.”

Val and Jennifer are a testament of how hope and love survive in the lives of at risk families. It is because of their strong passion and commitment that Perspectives’ families can say, “I had Christmas for my family.”

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” Cahill Gabran

Laura Rogers
Director of Volunteers
Perspectives, Inc.

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We LOVE People with Big Hearts

Tonight we have our Open Closet event, but is should probably be renamed to Couture Closet. This is an incredible night where women from our program come to our Family Center and are greeted by Kevin Quinn (owner) & Tim Creagan (manger) of STYLEDLIFE. This men & women’s fashion accessory store housed at the Galleria was just voted best accessory shopping in the Twin Cities. Find out more about them on their facebook page, www.facebook.com/STYLEDLIFE.



For years Kevin & Tim have worked to collect beautiful clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories for the women of Perspectives. They transform a conference room, hallway and office in a beautiful shop manned by volunteer fashion consultants. The women schedule appointments and work with Kevin, Tim and their team to find the clothes, shoes, purses and accessories that work perfect for them. So many of our women come to us with nothing and need clothes that they can work, interview and go out in. Most of them may not realize they are walking out with St John’s, Prada or Gucci, but what they do feel like a million bucks after feeling all the love that Kevin & Tim shower upon them.



As if this event is not enough….the guys from STYLEDLIFE also host an annual fundraiser at their shop each year called “Summer of Tennis Love”. The attached picture is Kevin & Tim presented President/CEO of Perspectives, Jeannie Seeley-Smith with a thousand dollar check! Thank you STYLEDLIFE for choosing Perspectives as the recipient of your very generous hearts.

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Welcome Baskets Needed for New Residents

Perspectives Inc would like to ask our supporters to pass this need on. 10-12 Welcome Baskets needed with the following inside:

• Flower arrangement or decoration
• roll of quarters
• daily calendar
• refrigerator magnets
• Candle
• Bus card
• Address Book
• Key Chain
• Cub Food gift certificate

*** Please feel free to add or delete items

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Summer Youth Program Supplies Needed

Extra Supplies would be so appreciated:
 

Dry Erase Markers

4x6 Index Cards

Composition books

Markers – Broad Line and Fine Line

Pocket Folders

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Newborn Basket Donations Needed Now

Dear Wonderful Supporters of  Perspectives Inc.  We are looking for up to 5 girl or boy newborn baskets for our moms that are expecting. 

• Diapers (newborn)
• Wipes
• Nookie's 
• Bottles
• Bottle liners, formula 
• Onsesie's
• Socks
• Hats
• Blankets
• Rattles
• Formula

Please call and ask for Laura Rogers if your able to help out our moms. 

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Recovery Day on the Hill

On March 31^st Main Street clients at Perspectives eagerly set out for the State Capitol to attend Recovery Day on the Hill.  This rally was designed to show Minnesota that recovery is possible and that people recover from addiction every day! It was our chance to stand with other supporters of recovery, speak to our legislators and help ensure that more people in Minnesota get the recovery support they need and deserve.  Our group made posters about recovery and enjoyed hearing members of congress and treatment providers talk about their belief in the importance of recovery and treatment for everyone. It was an empowering and fun experience for all who took part, and the women of Perspectives had an opportunity to advocate for continued recovery funding.

 “We represent our children, our lives, our future, our community”.

K.M

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New Beginnings: Supportive Housing Recognition

What a grand affair at the Perspectives'  Supportive Housing Recognition.  Thursday, January 20th was our night here at Perspectives to shed the light on our courageous, women in recovery. Our director of the Supportive Housing Program, Jazi Foreman named the night " New Beginnings".  What an appropriate theme for the work these beautiful women are doing here,day after day in the program on their recovery.

Each woman in the program is given a medallion for the amount of months that they have stayed sober.  They also have the opportunity to speak and talk about the experience in their journey of recovery.  It was such an inspiring night watching the women in the community share the ups and downs of  their own personal journey.
A wonderful speech was given by ex-resident, Jennifer Montillino.  She talked of the realities of recovery and how hard it is, but how sweet the new life can be.  Jennifer is a employee at Cargill Corporation and helped out our women this year by donating to "Adopt a Family Program." You can read the story here on the blog to learn more.   I will share with you, that our women listened so attentively to her great words of wisdom that you could have heard a pin drop.  Thanks Jennifer for giving such hope to our lovely moms.

We had some amazing sponsors on this night and I would like to name them here.

• Buca Di Beppo Eden Praire- Bree and her cohorts- Menu:   Penne Pasta with alfredo sauce, sliced bread, mixed salad
• Muddy Paws Cheesecake- Tami Cabrera              
• Sue Zelickson and her amazing Lacey SueZ Cookies                     

Our volunteer crew was wonderful  on this night. You made the women's night sweet volunteers.

• Chef Mel
• Joe Peters
• Barbara Zwak
• Casey Mason
• Terri Tapper
• Kim Kvitek
• Gina Hanzlik
• Keilyn Anderson                                          
• Kelly Mahaudd
• Savannah Wrage
• Bre Waters Bucca
• Melissa Sohns
• Tiffany Jackson
• Kenzie Anderson

It was a powerful night for the residents, staff, and volunteers.  In fact, I don't think I saw a dry eye in the house. The volunteers formed a positive, helpful community on this night.Thanks so much to you all.

Thanks to our wonderful donors and volunteers for making Perspectives Inc meet it's mission in helping break the cycles for our at-risk families.

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Star Tribune Story of a Adopt a family donor and past resident of Perspectives

Kyndell Harkness, Star Tribune

Jennifer Montilino and her children raised money to buy gifts for another family.

She's happy to return the favor

What goes around, comes around for one Adopt-A-Family volunteer.

By KRISTIN TILLOTSON, Star Tribune

Sometimes, it's better to receive, then give.
When Jennifer Montilino of Minneapolis rallied her co-workers to contribute to an "adopt a family" Christmas fund, it was easy to bring extra passion to her goal.
Five years ago, she and her four children were one of the families in need who got bagfuls of holiday help from the same program.
Montilino was struggling through her first year of being sober, living in transitional housing provided by Perspectives Inc., a St. Louis Park nonprofit agency. She had no money to buy gifts for her kids, Jahlie, Celine, Ebi and baby Alec.
But Perspectives' Adopt-A-Family drive, one of dozens organized each year throughout the metro area, gave her enough donated toys and holiday decorations so that the kids didn't feel they were missing out.
"The best part of it is that it saves the mom," she said. "I could not have produced any kind of Christmas at all by myself that year, and I still got to be the hero, handing out presents."
Now that she has a job as an administrative assistant with an IT group at Cargill, those days are gone, but not forgotten.
"I also got assistance from the county, with day care and other things, and these programs really do what they're meant to," she said. "I needed help, got it, got launched on my own and now I don't need it anymore. Now it's my time to give."
After raising $500 at the office, enough for one family of six and another of two, she and a colleague went on a shopping spree.
"We had a blast," she said. "We got sheet sets, hats, perfume, hair accessories, fuzzy blankets, ornaments, lotions, jewelry. And Alec helped me pick out tree ornaments."
Jahlie, now 16, says she remembers the hard times.
"Those charities really helped us out," she said. "My mom has been giving back for a while now. She gives our old clothes to ARC and other little things, whatever she can, and it's a lesson we've all learned from her."
Jahlie has taken the lesson to heart as a junior at South High School in Minneapolis, where she's active with a human-rights group that works on causes such as Toys for Tots, saving the arts in public schools and aid for Haiti.
Way to pass it on, Mom.
Kristin Tillotson • 612-673-7046

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Cargill Adopt a Family Program at Perspectives Inc

Volunteers deliver gifts for the Adopt a Family Program - Go Cargill

Amazing volunteers, children and adults

" Cargill delivers, on their Adopt a Family Promise"

Cargill Leads Adopt a Family at Perspectives Inc second year in a row

All 52 Perspectives Inc families, are adopted by Cargill Corporation. Led by Val Carver at Cargill, each Perspectives Inc family is matched up with a business unit or a family from Cargill. This is the second year in a row that Cargill and Perspectives Inc has worked together on this most special mission. Val Carver employee at Cargill states " These women are working hard trying to get things right in their life again and they need help during the holidays. The community needs to support those in the community who will be back in the mainstream because of the quality programming at Perspectives Inc." This is the second year that Val has lead the gift program in tandem with the Perspectives Inc Director of Volunteers, Laura Rogers. These two women work diligently as a team to match up each of the families to donors at Cargill. Val makes it look easy, says Laura Rogers of Perspectives Inc. Val has a special place in her heart for our women and that gives her the vehicle and the passion to help our women during the holidays. Val has been a loyal volunteer for Perspectives Inc for over ten years now. She started out as a mentor for our moms and now helps lead the Adopt a family Gift Program for our supportive housing program. We are most grateful to Val and to her dedication to the families at Perspectives Inc. I hope the energy she has given to this special endeavor will come back to her during the holidays.       

Please enjoy the pictures above, as volunteers deliver the gifts to our homeless families in St. Louis Park on December 20th.  The snow fell, just as we wished for.  Lots of festive atmosphere.  Perspectives Inc served hot cocoa and cookies.  Cookies donated by Cafe Latte'.   Volunteers came from every walk of life,  from families, individuals, Cafe Latte' and many gave of their time AND energy for a great cause.  What a day to remember as gifts were brought to each apartment to each and every family.  This day will never be forgotten.  Thanks to all of you at Cargill.  Val, lets do this again next year, as the smiles made it all soooo worth it.

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