Chisholm, MN

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            

The Horizon Team met to cover the items listed as goals and accomplishments in the draft Work Plan. 

The Work Plan is a necessary component of the Horizons Project.  Once this Plan is completed, it will be submitted to MN Extensions and brought to the Northwest Area Foundation for consideration.  ONCE the plan is approved, the Community of Chisholm will then receive the last payment from the NWAF of $8,500.00.  This money is and can be accessed to help Chisholm fight Poverty!

The Horizon Team is also looking to schedule a “Community Transitional” Event on Friday June 13th.  This will be a Fabulous event where all those people that gave of their own time to help our Community by getting involved in the Horizons Program will be acknowledged!

If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Lynne at 218-996-1256.

The Iron Range Youth in Action are conducting a Homeless Awareness Overnight Sleep-Out on Saturday May 10th at the Olcott Park in Virginia. The Cherry IRYA youth came up with the idea. It is an overnight event with youth sleeping in cardboard boxes or wherever they can find shelter within the park. Students will be raising funds through pledge cards and hope to raise between $5,000 and $10,000. The event will raise an understanding and awareness of what the homeless go through. The event is opened up to other schools IRYA groups, National Honor Society,Key Clubs, etc. Youth will also be researching why people are homeless-family problems, veterans, by choice, mental illness, etc. All are invited to attend. The Chisholm IRYA group will be collecting pledges in the Chisholm/Balkan area. Please be generous.

The IRYA is the group of Iron Range kids responsible for the building of the Chisholm Youth Facility along with local volunteer help. Chisholm Horizons is working closely with the newly hired Facility Adviser to aid in his program development such as homeless awareness and financial education for the youth of Chisholm.

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.

Chisholm Dial-A-Ride Day
Every Wednesday

Pick ups start at 10:30am

This service, within the city limits of Chisholm, can take you from your door to any where you need to go in Chisholm such as medical appointments, pharmacy or grocery store

Returns start at 11:30

Make arrangements for your pick up by calling: 1-800-862-0175 or check out the AEOA Website and or Northland Rides for more information and options.

Kyle with AEOA was our guest speaker last night at the Community Awareness Meeting to introduce us to a new program being offered called, Rural Rides.

Rural Rides is a program avaialable for “Employment Related Appointments”.  Persons seeking this program need to be under the 150% of poverty.  They work 1-on-1 with a Transportation Advocate to:
*Look at their particular sitation & needs
*Look at options
*Create a “Transportation Plan” (most efficiect & cost effective way) which may include but not limited to:
~Arrowhead Transit 
~Taxi Vouchers
~Reimbursable Volunteer Drivers
~ Dial-A-Ride
~ Work Buddy

For more information please contact Kyle at 218-748-2274 and/or Marcia 218-748-7566.

The meeting in January was cancelled due to weather. The re-scheduled date is: February 19th, 2008, 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the Range Center in Chisholm. Guest speaker will be Kyle to discuss transportation. Please R.S.V.P. Karen Amistadi 969-1310 or Suzy Fesnick 254-5538

There will be a training/work group for those involved on the community awareness committee and on the youth involvement committee. If anyone is interested in coming to the training please contact any one of the following people: Lynne Johnson @ 996-1256, Suzy Pocket-Fesnick @ 254-5538, Karen Amistadi @ 969-1310, Gus Cronberg @ 254-2960 or Marketa,Sadie or Kelsey Anderson @ 254-7628, To R.S.V.P. 

The training will be held at the Range Center on Fri. Jan. 18th 2008 from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. If you would like more information on Horizon’s or the training. Please call any of the above people and they would be happy to answer any questions.