Chisholm, MN

The annual IRYA (Iron Range Youth in Action) Make a Difference Conference was held Feb. 20th at Fortune Bay Resort. The all day conference was held for kids by kids. The turn out was great with over 450 kids. There were eight different workshops: Extreme Kindness, Self Defense, Eating Disorders, Today’s Media, H2O, Real Challenges, Acceptance & Diversity, and Body Image & Self-Esteem. The day is designed to help kids improve their self-esteem, self-confidence, and social skills.

The youth meeting for Apr. has been changed to Wed. Apr. 9th at 4:00 p.m. at the Chisholm Youth Center.

For information call Marketa at 254-7628 or Gus at 254-2960.

The Community Awareness Squad met on Tuesday March 18th at the Range Center.

 We are currently in the development stages of the ‘Chisholm Community Connections’.  Based upon the goals previously set be the community, we would like to develop a hand out that can be posted at local businesses, given to new community members and possible handed out throughout the schools.  Our goal is to have the “Community Connections’ final draft to the printer prior to June, so that the handouts will be available for the Community Day the that Youth Involvement Squad is planning.  We would like the ‘Community Connections’ to focus on services available to local residents in and around Chisholm. 

If you would like to be a sponsor or inquire into if you are listed, contact Lynne Johnson at 218-996-1256 or Karen Amistadi at 218-969-1310. 

The Youth Engagement met on Tues. at the Chisholm Youth Center. We are looking at having a Family Day at the skate park in June. We are planning to have special guests to talk about the laws, safety and equipment. We are in the planning stage right now, with more information to follow. The new hours at the Youth Center are Mon., Tue. and Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Fri. 5:00 p.m . - midnight for grades 7th - 12th. Thrus. 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. for grades 4th - 6th.

If anyone is looking to hire youth for small or large jobs: mowing lawns, shoveling, raking, ect. You can contact Shane @ 969-7762 he can help you contact youth looking for work.

Some other things we are looking into is Youth debates, concerts, and more activites for the kids to do. We will keep you up dated.

The next meeting is Apr. 15th @ 4:00 p.m. @ the youth center.

I am currently working in the St. Louis County End Homelessness in 10 Years Plan.  We are trying to coordinate a “County-wide” Event to take place in Mid-to- Late September of 2008.  Where we will have homeless sleep outs, fund-raising, possible educational forums and music around the region.We are asking that anyone who is interested in this type of event, please attend the initial planning and informational meeting on 4/22/o8 @ 11:30am @ Arrowhead Center in Virginia. We will be in the large conference room to your left, when entering by the back door.If you know of some one that may be interested in this, please pass the information along. IF there is a group that I/We could speak with or questions in regards to this effort, please contact Lynne Johnson at 218-262-7314 or Laura DeRosier, Housing & Homeless Coordinator for St. Louis County at 218-725-5236.

The meeting time has been changed to 4:00, Tuesday March 11 at at the Chisholm Youth Facility. Sorry for any inconvenience.

PS: Don’t forget to Leap Ahead for Daylight Savings Time Sunday AM 3/8/08

A few notes from the March conference call with 4 reps of U of M Extensions and reps of New York Mills, Hoka, Mt Lake, Fertile, Eveleth, and Chisholm.

Updates:

The Northwest Area Foundation would like to see more blog reporting showing the Horizon group’s progression in their endeavors. Don’t keep it a secret, let everyone know what’ shakin’ in your Horizon community.
The Grassroots & Groundwork Conference is at the end of May in Bloomington. Some of the costs can be covered if you would like to attend. More info on workshops at www.grassrootsandgroundwork.org/

Regional Training Workshops will be held at 4 locations around Minnesota. One will be held on Saturday April 5 at the Hibbing Park Hotel. Workshops include Nonprofit 101,Committees at Work, Resource Development, and Youth Development. Registration at 9:30 and will last until 3:00. There is NO COST and is open to anyone in the community. Register online at minnesota.communityblogs.us/ or contact anyone from the Chisholm Horizons. Check that same website for the new Blogging Contest.

Questions to Think About:

A few of the Communities have received business donations or grants to help with projects or insurance costs. Some reps volunteered names of neighboring towns who might be interested in the next wave of Horizon Communities.

The “Study Circles” have changed their name to “Everyday Democracy” www.everyday-democracy.org/en/index.aspx and would like to contact the people who have gone through the study circles. They have updated products to get out. More info will be coming soon.