Chisholm, MN

Here are some of the topics discussed at the August 19th Youth Awareness Mtg.

September will be Poverty/Homelessness Awareness month at the youth center. We are searching for a speaker on that topic for one evening and are planning a Sept. 19th sleepout/lockin near the center. This coincides somewhat with the Duluth/Virginia Sleepout on the 20th. Shane will be setting up for donations of winter clothing, food, etc.

Shane has arranged for a free concert/dance to be held at O’Neil Park on Saturday Sept. 6th as a kickoff to Chisholm Fire Days. At least four local bands have agreed to take the stage from 4:00-8:00. Fire Days will run from Sept 3rd thru the 13th when there will be a parade and kids day at the Museum.

We are working on a Thanksgiving project and a Christmas project and plan to work with the City on their Holly Jolly Christmas Program. More info on these will be coming soon.

I have received word that the Dollar Works 2 curriculum is on the way and we are really excited about that. This financial literacy program was developed by educators from the University of Minnesota Extensions Center for Family Development.

That’s the “Reader’s Digest” version on what’s goin’ on with more to follow.

The Youth Engagement Team will be meeting at the Youth Center on Tuesday, August 19 at 4:00.  Some of the topics will be Chisholm Fire Days youth dance plans, Christmas programing ,and the local Homeless Sleepout and Poverty Awareness Week .

Hello is anybody here ? Maybe I can sneak in and they won’t notice I haven’t been around for awhile. I’ve been playing hookie but now I’m back.

Chisholm Horizons teamed up with the Chisholm Youth Facility on June 25th for a Skateboard/Family Day event at the the Lake Park. The upgraded Skateboard Park withstood the onslaught of about a dozen determined skateboard warriors with their tricks and unpadded elbows for 3 hours on that breezy, sunny day. The wish to be younger could be seen in the eyes of the those over the legal age (quite a bit over) and the yearning to show off the would have been battlescars from attempting this x-games sport. There were a few spills and a few chills but nothing the youngsters couldn’t handle. All the spectators young and old were treated to a fantastic showing of fine talent. If you missed this demonstration, don’t worry because Shane from the Youth Center has plans for more in the future.

Chisholm Horizon’s tent contained literature from Rural Rides, Arrowhead Transit, Kids Plus, Horizons, AEOA, and a final inspection showing of the Chisholm Horizon’s Resource Directory before final printing of 2000 copies.
Representatives from the Chisholm Rec , Chisholm Chamber, and Kiwanis manned the Kiwanis food trailer which was transported by Chisholm NHS/NSS. Jubilee Foods donated chips to go along with the hot dogs and buns purchased there. McDonald’s of Chisholm donated their punch, dispenser and cups , Kids Plus the pop, and the Range Center loaned the tables and chairs. The local SWOP took care of the park cleanup before and after. The Summer Work Outreach Program consists of 10 or 12 kids each from Mt. Iron, Buhl, and Chisholm ages 12 to 14. They are taught a mixture of life skills while earning a wage by working in the 3 towns.

The Chisholm Police Annual Children Fishing contest followed the Horizons event and included a record 88 registered kids. They fished out of 12 boats and from the fishing piers around the north side of the lake. Some prizes passed out were Minnkota trolling motors, fishing rod combos, and filled tackle boxes. Wednesdays just don’t get no better.

I admit that I am late in blogging, but you know I’ve NEVER been called Late for Supper .

    On May 20th we met. We had 16 in attendance. We finalized that we would be offering scholarships for up to 20 people (students) to attend the summer rec. program. The skateboard family day was also finalized! There will be resource booths, skateboard competitions, exhibitions, and food!! The location is Chisholm Skate park. Which is located on 8th street north (by the lake). Time: 11 to 3 on Wednesday June 25th. If rain Thursday June 26th. All youth and families are invited to join us for a day of family fun!! This event is sponsored by Chisholm Youth Center, Chisholm Horizons, City of Chisholm, Chisholm Police dept., McDonald’s, Jubilee, and Kiwanis.

Also on this day….The annual fishing contest sponsored by Chisholm Police dept., Parks and Rec, Chisholm Chamber, Kids Plus, and Chisholm Sportsman’s Club. The time is 3:30 to 7:00.

Sorry if i forgot to mention any sponsors : )

The next youth meeting will be on June 17th at 4 pm at the Chisholm Youth Center.

The youth meeting that was scheduled for Wed. May 21st has been changed to Tue. May 20th. This meeting will be held at the Chisholm Youth Center @ 4:00 p.m. If you have any questions or are interested in attending please give Marketa Anderson @ 254-7628 or Gus Cronberg @ 254-2960 a call. We will be making final plans for the Family skateboard day at the park and talk about what our next project will be.

Last year when Horizon’s first got started there were many study circles held through out Chisholm. One of the remarks in many different circles was that Chisholm had no signs letting people know what things are or were to get tickets for the bobber. We are please to see that Chisholm does have signs now. Has anyone else noticed?

On Wednesday, April 9th, I attended my first Youth Involvement Meeting.  At this meeting, the group was discussing the Family Event to be held at the skate park on the north end of Chisholm Lake, which is being planned for June 14th.  I was impressed with how well organized this small group was in the planning stages for this event.  They are working together with Shane at the Youth Center and coordinating the entire event.  The group leaders, Marketa Anderson and Gus Cronberg deserve “kudos” for a job well done!  Thanks to the others who have brought their ideas to the table also! 

The youth involvement met on Apr. 9th to talk about our upcoming event. There were 6 people in attendance, we decided on June 14th for our family get together at the skate park by Chisholm lake. We will be putting together flyer’s with all the information on them, so please watch for our flyer’s and keep June 14th open. 

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.

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.