Chisholm, MN

‘Better late than never’ they say and so it is true with our “Chisholm Community Connections” resource booklet that the Community Awareness Group, along with the help from other Horizon Team Members , created and finally had printed and distributed to (hopefully) all Chisholm and Balkan residents.  If you did not receive a booklet, there are copies available for viewing at the Chisholm Area Chamber of Commerce at 223 West Lake Street.

This resource booklet was intended to help new people moving into Chisholm, as well as people already living here, to know of  services our town/area has to offer that they may not have been aware of.  We feel that it would be a good tool for people in poverty who may not otherwise have those resources available to them. 

Until we find new goals to work toward, the Community Awareness Group has joined with the Youth Engagement Group to focus on our youth.  The Youth Engagement Group is currently working with Shane/Chisholm Youth Center to help work with and educate our youth to further their skills for a bright future.   After all, the youth are our future! 

KUDOS to the other 2008 Horizon Team Members for all their work and dedication to Horizons:   Suzy Pocket-Fesnick, Renee Olson, Brenda McPeak, Lynne Johnson, Gus Cronberg, Sadie Anderson, Kelsey Anderson, and Marketa Anderson. 

We are always looking for new faces and ideas.  If you would like to be a part of Chisholm Horizons, please contact Gus Cronberg at (218)254-2960, Marketa Anderson at (218)254-7628, Brenda McPeak at (218)262-7306 or myself, Karen Amistadi at (218)969-1310.

“The smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention.”  - Dugest

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.

Congratulations, Chisholm!

After 18 months of planning, organizing, great conversations, and hard work, your work plan is complete!  Click the link below to find details of the Horizons Team organizational plans, focus areas, and projects.  It has been great to see the collaborations and projects evolve. Great work!

Chisholm Work Plans

As we are winding down and beginning our new adventure in Horizons, I would like to take a moment to ‘Thank’ all of those that gave so much of their time!

Karen Amistadi, Dave Cronberg, Suzy Fesnick, Marketa, Sadie & Kelsey Anderson, Renee Olson, Brenda McPeak and any I may have forgotten! 

All of you have been a great source of energy and ideas. 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,  committed citizens can change the world. 

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  

Margaret Mead (1901-1978)

First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the University of Minnesota Extensions for helping us thru this process over the past 18 months.  Monica and Lori were alot of help and we do appreciate all you did for us.  It was great meeting and working with you these past months. 

The Horizon’s Community Awareness Group met for what would turn out to be the last time under the guidance of the University of Minnesota Extensions on Tuesday, June 10th.  As of June 30th, our Horizon’s groups will be “on our own” to reduce poverty in Chisholm.  We are in “transition” now from participating in a multi-state prescribed program to an independent local, community-driven program.  New faces and ideas are always welcome.  If you are interested in joining our groups to help fullfil our project goals, please contact any one of the leaders listed below.

One goal the Community Awareness Group had was to create a resource guide that focuses on resources and services available for residents, both old and newcomers. We identified resources that link people in our community to services in the following areas:  Housing, Transportation, Food, Health, Legal, Community Services, and Community Centers.  A template has been created and a “draft copy” will be available for community viewing at the “Family Day at the Skate Park”, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25th from 11am - 3pm at the Chisholm skate park at the North end of Long Year Lake. 

After the community viewing of our “CHISHOLM COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS”,  corrections will be made, if needed.  Then we will have 2000 booklets printed in which we will mail to every home in the community.  We also hope to have copies available in some local establishments in town.

I am very pleased with the way this booklet turned out and I hope the community feels the same way.  I hope it is a great resouces for everyone in our community, old and new.

Anyone interested in joining our Horizons groups please contact:   

“Youth Involvement” Group Leaders:   Gus Cronberg @ (218) 254-2960:  Sadie or Marketa Anderson @ (218) 254-7628 

“Community Awareness” Group Leader:  Karen Amistadi @ (218)  969-1310                                                                                                                                                    

Local Organizer:   Lynne  Johnson  @ (218) 966-1256

COME ON!   GET INVOLVED!                                                                                HELP MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER FOR  EVERYONE! 

 Submitted by:                                                                                   

Karen Amistadi, Community Awareness Squad Leader            

    A Dollar Works 2 Training was held on April 29th in Grand Rapids. This is a comprehensive personal financial education program developed by educators from the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development. This “train the trainer” workshop explains how to present the 12 financial subjects in the curriculum such as making a spending plan, understanding pay statements, and using credit wisely.

Shane Walters , the adult advisor of the Chisholm Youth Center and I had the opportunity to attend this training. We feel that financial literacy is one of the most important life skills lacking in todays culture. Cindy Petersen and Lori Hendrickson gave an outstanding presentation on financial literacy and managing money. We plan to use this training to help develop and enhance Shane’s own programming for the Chisholm youth. We will purchase the curriculum when it comes out in print later in June and are very thankful that Horizon’s gave us this opportunity to attend.

Submitted by Gus Cronberg

    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.

On May 28th there will be a Grant Writing Clinic in Duluth. The Horizon team has decided to send 4 people down to learn more about grant writing. We are hoping that with this knowledge we will be better equipped to continue to help Chisholm in are fight to reduce poverty. We will report back to the team on what we learned and keep everyone up dated.

We are officially in the final stages of completing the ‘Chisholm’s Community Connections‘.  Our goal is to the initial “Draft Copies” available for preview at the June 25th Community Celebration / Skate Park Day / Fishing Contest.  We strongly encourage all community members, business owners and concerned citizens to come on down and take a sneak peak!

We are anticipating, that after the June 25th event, we will submit a request to the Horizons Team in order to request the necessary money to cover the publishing and distribution costs. 

So far to date the Community of Chisholm has received $1,500.00 from the Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) for their participation in the Horizons Project.  

                        Kudos to all the energetic individulas taking this on for the sake of all. 

If you are new to the area or have recently moved, please contact Lynne at 218-996-1256 or Karen at 218-969-1310 to be added to the mailing list.

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.