Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties

This past week, Governor Walz proclaimed May 2024 as Community Action Month! The Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan issue proclamations for extraordinary state or local events or activities that deserve special recognition from the Governor.

If you are a resident of Ramsey or Washington county, we invite you to take part in our Community Needs Assessment survey: https://lnkd.in/gu7X8UVY Once completed, you will have the option to add your name to a $25 gift card drawing!

Employees of Ideal Credit Union donated $1500 to the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties This great resource assists families that need warm, comfortable, and safe homes or adequate amounts of food to meet basic needs. Community Action also runs a Head Start and Early Head Start program, which is a no-cost child and family development Program. Lastly, Community Action employees work directly with the people in their program to help them access resources and opportunities, find higher-wage careers, and chart a course toward economic stability.  “Thank you, Community ACTION, for what you do to assist our communities. We, as employees of Ideal Credit Union, could not be any more proud of our donation today”. Ideal Credit Union- employees https://caprw.org #helpingothers #CommunityLiving #CUForward #LivetheIdealLife

Minnesota was well represented at the Region V New Executive Director Orientation held April 12-13, in Bloomington, MN. MinnCAP's Executive Director, Lori Schultz was the facilitator. It was a great 2 days of learning, networking, and sharing and we look forward to doing it again in October. Pictured left to right: Denise Stewart Lakes & Pines CAC Inc, Darci Goedtke SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL INC, Lori Schultz, Sonia Gass Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties Jen Hengel SEMCAC, Sharon Millner NORTHWEST COMMUNITY ACTION, INC, Leah Pauletti.

Congratulations to Region V's New Executive Director Orientation Graduates. We know the network is in your good hands and you will continue to be a champion for the Community Action Movement! Jennifer Brozowski, Michigan https://ow.ly/61y550Rhcsa Hurley Coleman, Michigan SAGINAW COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE Dawna Fogarty, Ohio Warren County Community Services, Inc. Sonia Gass, Minnesota Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties Nicole Harrison, Wisconsin CAP Services Inc. Courtney Iobe, Michigan https://ow.ly/1p2450Rhcsb Tanya Marcoe, Wisconsin ADVOCAP Sharon Millner, Minnesota NORTHWEST COMMUNITY ACTION, INC Denise Stewart, Minnesota Lakes & Pines CAC Inc

On April 15, Head Start staff and families participated in Advocacy for Children Day at the Minnesota State Capitol. This annual event, hosted by Greater Twin Cities United Way, brings together families, providers and advocates. We rallied for affordable, high-quality childcare statewide, and heard from speakers including a local Minnesota author and St. Paul Mayor, Melvin Carter. Our families loved seeing the Capitol and learning how important it is for them to use their voices in ways such as this to make improvements in the lives of their children.

Join us for a fun cleanup day at Eastside Heritage Park! We supply everything, ride your bike over and BRING THE ENERGY to help beautify a community space as a part of St. Paul's Annual Citywide Spring Cleanup! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gJsrR_7f

Since 1994 (30 years), the "Water's Off" program in Minnesota has provided nearly 14,500 hours of volunteer plumbing services to over 4,068 households at a value of almost $2,112,400! The following highlights the St. Paul Plumbers Local 34 assistance in Ramsey and Washington Counties during the March 23, 2024, 30th Annual Water's Off event (with household eligibility and application enrollment conducted by CAPRW Energy Assistance Program) · Number of volunteers - 50 · Number of volunteer hours - 300 · Number of homes served: 22 · Approximate value of skilled labor provided – $25,200 Thank you to all who participated and made this event possible! Photo: Ko Moua, CAPRW Assistant Director of the Energy Assistance Program, Sandra Pyles, CAPRW Director Energy Assistance Program, Sonia Gass CAPRW Executive Director

March is National Children’s Nutrition Month and we celebrated by participating in CACFP Week 3/11-3/15. CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) is a food and nutrition program that helps provide nutritious and delicious meals to the children in our Head Start program and other child care programs across the nation. Check out our McDonough Head Start classroom exploring where food comes from by planting different seeds including carrots, cucumbers, basil, and marigold flowers. Even the Nutrition Services staff from the Minnesota Department of Education stopped by for a visit! #CACFP #CACFPCreditable

Make a difference in your community by joining our Community Needs Assessment volunteer team! Attend the information meeting on Thursday, March 21st on Zoom from 1-2pm! Register Here: https://qrco.de/bespZa