May 2008

Talking Points program launched

The Northfield Mayor’s Task Force (MTF) on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use, in collaboration with Project Sight, has created a “Talking Points” program for parents looking for ways to jumpstart conversations with their children. The goal of Talking Points is to encourage open communication between adults and teenagers that supports efforts to raise healthy teens.

Three Northfield businesses are participating in the program: Bittersweet Eatery, James Gang Coffeehouse, and The Hideaway. When you visit these establishments, you will see the colorful Talking Points canister. Inside are fun conversation starters to help initiate informal discussion on family and community issues regarding risky behaviors, peer pressure, and making positive choices that help to build self-esteem and a stronger relationship among family members.

Customers are encouraged to check-out the cans and enjoy a free cup of coffee while reviewing the contents. Sit down with another parent and talk about these issues. Take the can home. Share it with your family…pass it on to a friend.

Interested in more information about Talking Points? Contact Julie Bubser at the Healthy Community Initiative (507-664-3524, email).

Mayor's Youth Council to host a youth mini-summit

Recently, the Mayor's Youth Council was one of 10 groups statewide to host a youth mini-summit. The purpose of the summit will be to bring together youth and adults from across the community to discuss ways to support local young people and to help assure all youth enjoy success. The summit is sponsored by the Minnesota Alliance with Youth Minnesota Alliance with Youth and State Farm Insurance.

The Mayor’s Youth Council decided to focus the summit on ways to help increase the opportunities for local young people to develop marketable skills. This may include internships, entrepreneurial ventures, youth leadership initiatives, career exploration opportunities, or a variety of other possibilities.

The summit will take place in Northfield in September. A $2,000 grant from State Farm Insurance will cover the costs of the event and assist with some follow-up activities that emerge from the summit.

If you would like to be involved with the summit – or to be added to the invitation mailing list – contact HCI (664-3534, email) and we can pass this information on to the Mayor’s Youth Council.

Appointed by the Mayor and City Council, the Mayor’s Youth Council is comprised of 15 high school students (juniors and seniors). The Council works to assure a youth voice in civic affairs and to provide youth perspectives to the Mayor, City Council, local boards and commissions, and other community groups. The Mayor's Youth Council also works to expand opportunities for Northfield youth through collaboration with other community partners.

HCI congratulates two board members for recent awards

Congratulations to Scott Richardson for being named the recipient of the “2008 Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award” by the Defeat of Jesse James Committee. The award is given annually to a Northfield resident for his/her exemplary commitment to public service. Scott has been instrumental with HCI since its inception and has played a key role in promoting youth asset-building in the Northfield community for the past 15+ years. In addition, he has been involved in countless other community initiatives and has devoted thousands of hours to Northfield efforts. The HCI Board congratulates Scott for this much-deserved award! For more information on the honor, click here.

Also, congratulations to HCI Board Co-Chair Mauricio Lozada. Mauricio was one of 11 young people statewide recognized at the National Youth Leadership Conference for exceptional community service involvement. Mauricio received the “President’s Volunteer Service Award” from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. Of the 11 Minnesota students selected for the award, an astounding eight were from Northfield! Many thanks to Sarah Swan-McDonald (Northfield High School teacher and district service-learning coordinator) for nominating the students!

HCI's "Report to the Community" available online

Each year, HCI compiles a “Report to the Community.” This document details a few of the collaborative efforts that HCI has helped support over the past year.

To view the “2008 Report to the Community,” click here.

Youth Sports Collaborative receives local donations for sports scholarships

Formed in 2002, the Northfield Youth Sports Collaborative is a volunteer-run coalition working to make it possible for all Northfield youth – regardless of their family’s financial means – to participate in local youth sports associations. The Coalition coordinates activities designed to recruit more young people to participate in sports. It also raises funds for a shared scholarship pool to cover sports association registration costs for any young person who is not able to afford them.

Last year, the Youth Sports Collaborative awarded 113 scholarships for Northfield youth to participate in a wide array of sports ranging from soccer to gymnastics to hockey. The scholarship pool is shared among all the local youth sports associations and is only tapped when an association’s individual scholarship fund is exhausted.

The Northfield Area United Way continues to be a major financial supporter of the Youth Sports Collaborative’s scholarship pool. This month, the City of Northfield’s Grace Whittier Fund announced that it will provide $3,000 in funding to the scholarship pool. In addition, Women In Northfield Giving Support has pledged $2,000 for the coming year. We thank these groups for their incredible generosity!

The Nothfield Community Action Center manages the Youth Sports Collaborative’s shared scholarship fund and helps screen children to assure financial eligibility for those receiving the scholarship.

Aztec Dance Circle named March/April "Making a Difference Award" winner

The Ollin Ayacaxtly/Aztec Dance Circle is the March/April recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth.

Ollin Ayacaxtly is a Northfield-based traditional Aztec dance circle that involves more than 20 students from Northfield Middle and High Schools. The Aztec Dance Circle provides local youth the opportunity to learn their history and culture and also use their creativity to make traditional outfits, shields and rattles.

The group started over a year ago with Jesus Torres and Centro Campesino’s Youth Committee. Torres is the leader of the circle with the local assistance of Clarita Kell and the guidance of Susana de Leon in Minneapolis, and Aztec Dance General Chief Pedro Espana in Morelos, Mexico. The Northfield group has performed in different communities across the state and also participates in local events and other traditional ceremonies during the year.

“The Aztec Dance Circle provides a wonderful opportunity for our Latino students to develop leadership skills, and work together to create an amazing dance performance,” said Marnie Thompson, Northfield High School Assistant Principal. “We could not be more proud of them when they perform for audiences locally and around the state. They are role models for their peers and younger students.”

The Healthy Community Initiative and the Northfield News present the Making a Difference Award cooperatively. If you know an individual or group that you would like to nominate for this award, click here for nomination guidelines and the easy-to-complete application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are selected by a review team of HCI board members and local youth.

HCI mini-grants available

Ever have an idea for a project but just don’t have the resources to get it off the ground?

HCI is always looking to support grassroots efforts in the community. Funds of up to $400 are awarded monthly to projects and activities that:

provide the opportunity for young people to develop positive intergenerational relationships with caring adults and/or
connect Northfield youth with their communities (ex. neighborhood, school, wider Northfield)

Mini-grant applications are available online and are accepted on an ongoing basis. The application is designed to only take a couple of minutes to complete!

Questions? Contact HCI at 664-3524 or email Cheryl Strike, HCI Mini-Grants Coordinator.

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