HCI Blog

HCI Board funds 8 mini-grants in April to benefit area youth

May 1, 2012 – 12:23 pm

At their April 2012 board meeting, the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Board approved mini-grants to support eight projects and activities designed to benefit Northfield youth.  Funded projects included:

Writers’ Workshop Poetry Book.  ARTech students participating in the Writers’ Workshop group are compiling prose and poetry they have authored throughout the school year and are putting it into one publication, a poetry book.  Several copies of this journal will be given to the Key and area businesses who have hosted the writers during writing sessions this school year.

Latino Play Festival.  Students in the ESL (English as a Second Language) Performing Arts class at Northfield High School have spent the year writing and preparing plays.  Planned performances will be held at Carleton College and at the Northfield High School.  There will also be special performances for middle school students.  Evening performances at the Northfield High School are scheduled for May 11th and 12th.

TEAM UP Cinco de Mayo Event.  Teachers at the Northfield Middle School are planning a Cinco de Mayo celebration in conjunction with the Tattered Pages Mother’s Day sale on Thursday, May 3.  They encourage all middle school families to come to the middle school for an evening of entertainment and crafts.  A crowd favorite, Aztec dancers will perform.  The Cinco de Mayo event is free and will run from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

EGGPlants Field Trip to a Local Farm.  Three area St. Olaf College students have planned a field trip for two third grade classes, one from Greenvale Park Elementary School and one from St. Dominic’s School, to visit a local organic farm.  This is the capstone event of a seven week gardening and nutrition curriculum taught by the St. Olaf College students to the third grade classrooms.  The students will be going to the Simple Harvest Farm in early May.

Girls on the Run 5K.  Girls on the Run is an after-school program that uses the power of running to help prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.  During the program, the girls train together, preparing to walk or run in a 5K (3.1 mile) event together.  This year, the culminating 5K takes place in Red Wing, Minnesota.  Youth go to the 5K with their Running Buddy, an adult who has helped them in training and/or supported their effort to be in the program.

ARTech Basketball Hoop.  Students at ARTech are leading an initiative to install a basketball hoop in the parking lot in back of the school.  They currently do not have a basketball hoop.  With the guidance of adults, students will research and install the hoop and its foundation.

Wisdom Retreat.  Students of the Northfield High School senior class are organizing a Wisdom Retreat for the senior class, to be led by Youth Frontiers.  Student organizers hope this time together will help seniors experience positive closure and guide them towards a meaningful transition into life beyond high school.  Youth Frontiers designs this retreat to:  increase school connectedness at a time when seniors often feel disconnected; provide seniors with an opportunity to gain a clearer perspective on their experiences; and nurture wise choices in the future.

Outdoor Stage Construction.  The Northfield Union of Youth plans to build an outdoor stage in the Key’s backyard to host concerts and other events.  This will require youth to design, plan, and eventually construct the stage, with the help of adults.  Youth at the Key hope the finished stage can be used for many community events.  This large project will give the youth an opportunity to learn skills in building and design.

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HCI offers mini-grants 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)

Applications are reviewed monthly and are due by the second Monday of the month.  Visit www.northfieldhci.org/mini-grants for more information and to access the easy-to-complete application.

Funding for the HCI mini-grants comes from the Northfield Area United Way, Women In Northfield Giving Support (WINGS), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

By Amy Lunderby | Posted in HCI Mini-Grants, HCI Newsletter, Site announcements, Uncategorized, Upcoming events, Youth leadership | Comments (0)

Fritz Bogott and Rachel Matney are Making a Difference

April 25, 2012 – 6:42 am

Rachel Matney and Fritz Bogott are the March/April 2012 recipients 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.

After reading reports about the achievement gap in Minnesota and Northfield, Matney started thinking of local solutions.  She wondered:  are there willing and interested volunteers in Northfield who could be asked to assist in closing this gap?

She approached her husband, Fritz Bogott, with the question, and they sprang into action.  They contacted Northfield Public Schools, HCI, St. Olaf College and Carleton College.  Bogott reported that from the first meeting, the enthusiasm from the partners was “irrepressible.”   A new pilot initiative – Accelerate Northfield – was born, aiming to recruit volunteers to work in the Northfield schools primarily with youth who are struggling academically.  Matney and Bogott have played key roles in designing the Accelerate Northfield model and recruiting community volunteers.

According to Superintendent Chris Richardson, “Accelerate Northfield is providing a valuable source of trained and caring adults that provide quality interactions and reinforcement of instruction for Northfield elementary students who need extra support to be successful.”

Bogott and Matney are reluctant to take credit for the success of the program beyond the initial instigation and training.  However, the truth remains that they began a partnership that will make a difference to Northfield students for years to come.

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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 – or find HCI on Facebook.  Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are selected by a review team of HCI board members and local youth.

By Zach Pruitt | Posted in HCI Newsletter, Making a Difference Award, Programs, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Dollars and $ense featured in Northfield News

April 20, 2012 – 6:54 am

The Rice County Dollars and $ense program was featured on the front page of Wednesday’s Northfield News.  In case you missed the article, check it out HERE.

The Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) is proud to partner on this new financial literacy program for local youth.  Dollars and $ense is funded by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education through the College Access Challenge Grant Program (a federal program that seeks to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education).

By Zach Pruitt | Posted in HCI Newsletter, Programs, TORCH, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Up to 15 AmeriCorps positions available in Northfield for 2012-13

April 9, 2012 – 7:48 am

Up to 15 paid, full-time AmeriCorps positions will be available working with youth and families in the Northfield community for 2012-13.

Click HERE for information on the current postings, including contacts and the processes for applying.  Questions?  Contact HCI (507.664.3524; info@northfieldhci.org).

 

Positions currently accepting applications:

By Zach Pruitt | Posted in HCI Newsletter, Programs, Site announcements, Uncategorized, Youth leadership | Comments (0)

HCI Board funds four mini-grants in March to benefit area youth

March 27, 2012 – 12:35 pm

At their March 2012 board meeting, the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Board approved mini-grants to support four projects and activities designed to benefit Northfield youth.  Funded projects included:

  • After Prom Party.  This event is planned by parents of local juniors in high school.  It provides a safe, fun, and chemical-free place for all Northfield juniors and seniors to continue the celebration after the Prom ends on Saturday, April 21st.  Planned activities include bowling, casino games, prize drawings, and food.  The After Prom Party will be held at Jesse James Lanes (doors open at midnight and the event runs from 12:30 to 4:00 a.m.).
  • Free Youth Soccer Camp.  The Northfield High School Boys Soccer team will lead soccer camp sessions for Latino and low-income children, ages 5-10.  The Northfield Soccer Association will assist with publicity to help recruit participants.  This Free Youth Soccer Camp will be held in April.  Each participating child will receive a free soccer ball so that he/she can continue to develop his/her love of the game.
  • Writing Books!  The Bridgewater Elementary School PLUS Program is a free, after-school program that meets four days each week and offers students a variety of experiences, including homework assistance, daily skill-building workshops, one-on-one mentoring with caring adults, and more.  The PLUS Program is guiding all of the student participants as they each write and illustrate an adventure story.  The stories will then be bound and published for students to keep.
  • Earth Day Celebration.  Transition Northfield and its youth group, YES, are organizing an Earth Day Celebration in Northfield to be held on Saturday, April 28th.  The students of YES are planning Earth-friendly activities and entertainment for the celebration, which is open to the public.  The community is invited to participate in the day’s activities, which will teach about recycling, farming, transition town, and other related topics.  There will also be craft activities and games for youth.  The Earth Day Celebration will take place outside of the First UCC Church on 300 Union Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets.

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HCI offers mini-grants 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)

Applications are reviewed monthly and are due by the second Monday of the month.  Visit www.northfieldhci.org/mini-grants for more information and to access the easy-to-complete application.

Funding for the HCI mini-grants comes from the Northfield Area United Way, Women In Northfield Giving Support (WINGS), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

By Amy Lunderby | Posted in HCI Mini-Grants, HCI Newsletter, Programs, Uncategorized, Upcoming events, Youth leadership | Comments (0)

John Daniels is Making a Difference

March 24, 2012 – 7:02 am

Antonia Cristofaro-Hark, Arlo Cristofaro-Hark and John Daniels display the completed cedar strip canoe (photo supplied by John Daniels)

A Northfield man who helped a group of teenagers from the Key build a canoe is the February 2012 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award.  The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth.

John Daniels spent nine months guiding the teenagers through the 200-hour process of building a cedar strip canoe, which will be used for a fundraiser.  It was his fifth canoe project, but the first one involving youth.

“I was really impressed,” he said.  “I didn’t know how that would go because it takes a great deal of patience.  It’s a really slow process, for one thing – you have to be willing to work for a couple of hours at a time.  The kids were fine with that; they learned really quickly.  I would show them something once and turn them loose.”

The youth started the project in late March 2011, took most of the summer off, and completed the canoe in December.  Those involved were Danny Dobrow, Arlo Cristofaro-Hark, Helen Forsythe and Antonia Cristofaro-Hark.

Daniels said he was initially reluctant to assist in the project because he knew it was a big time commitment.  But he said it helped knowing the work could be drawn out over several months.

“I’m really glad I did it because it was well worth it for me.  I got a lot out of it.  It was fun and rewarding to get to know these kids,” he said. “Mentoring is a good thing; it has rewards, and they go both ways.”

- Story by Joy Riggs, HCI Board member and freelance writer

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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 or find HCI on Facebook.  Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are selected by a review team of HCI board members and local youth.

By Zach Pruitt | Posted in Making a Difference Award, Mentoring, Programs, Site announcements | Comments (0)

Northfield Mayor’s Youth Council provides funding to projects that promote high school graduation

March 13, 2012 – 2:59 pm

High school students in the Northfield Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC) approved a total of $2,000 in grants to support five projects and activities designed to promote high school graduation among Northfield youth.  All grants were made possible through funding from the “100 Best Communities for Young People” award that Northfield received from America’s Promise.

Funded projects included:

  • Transition program for 8th grade low-income, minority, or first-generation college-bound students as they transition to the high school.  This project focuses on a series of events aimed at increasing the comfort of students as they enter high school and will help them develop the skills necessary for a successful freshman year.  Sessions will cover career exploration, academic course offerings, graduation and college entrance requirements, the importance of Grade Point Average (GPA), and related testing.  This project, run by the Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes (TORCH) program, will also include a family event to acquaint parents with the possible access routes to education and the support that is available.

 

  • High School students in the Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes (TORCH) program will attend summer sessions on college campuses.  This program will introduce students who are at risk of not continuing their education to an experience that makes the goal of a college education a true possibility.  Participating students will spend between 1 and 8 weeks on a college campus this summer.

 

  • College campus visits to Dakota County Technical College and to the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.  Approximately 35-40 8th grade students from the Northfield Middle School English as a Second Language class and middle school ALC program will make the field trip to both college campuses.  These campus visits will expose students to two different types of post-secondary programs as a starting point for discussion about the cost and types of training/educational opportunities available.  Most students selected for the campus visits are potential first-generation college students who have had limited or no exposure to the steps and processes that are a part of going to college or visiting college campuses.  These campus visits will stress the importance of graduation from high school and will highlight how additional education and training can improve employment opportunities.

 

 

  • Support for programming of the Northfield Union of Youth (NUY), located at the Key in Northfield.  The Key provides free, quality programming to Northfield youth during at-risk times of the day (after school to curfew).  Students develop and maintain relationships with positive, caring adults during their time at the Key.  Youth involved in Key programming have a history of increased school attendance.  The Key currently has seven weekly programs, including Book Club, Physical Activities Club, Writing Workshop, Family Game Night, Art Night, Movie Night, and Cooking Class.
By Amy Lunderby | Posted in HCI Mini-Grants, HCI Newsletter, Making a Difference Award, Programs, Site announcements, TORCH, Uncategorized, Upcoming events, Youth leadership | Comments (0)

Tpt public service announcements on high school graduation feature Northfielder

March 5, 2012 – 4:09 pm

The Minnesota Alliance With Youth (a HCI partner) teamed up with Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) to produce a series of youth-led PSAs on the importance of high school graduation and working together to address the nation’s dropout crisis.

Clink HERE to check out the PSAs — you may even see a local face from the Northfield TORCH program in them!

By Zach Pruitt | Posted in HCI Newsletter, Site announcements, Uncategorized, Youth leadership | Comments (0)

HCI Board funds 10 mini-grants in February to benefit area youth

February 27, 2012 – 4:01 pm

At their February 2012 board meeting, the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Board approved mini-grants to support 10 projects and activities designed to benefit and support Northfield youth.  Funded projects included:

•Evening of the Arts hosted by Greenvale Park Elementary School on April 3rd.  This annual event celebrates each student’s accomplishments in a variety of art forms, including visual, musical and/or performing arts.  All students and their families are encouraged to attend.  Greenvale Park students will have artwork on display, and older students will be performing musical pieces or reciting poetry or a dramatic reading in the Bistro Café.

•Beyond Words, an annual event for Sibley Elementary School.  Beyond Words brings students and their families together to view artwork and create art.  Families will be reading together, making books and bookmarks, and listening to students read poetry.  Beyond Words will take place at Sibley Elementary on the evening of April 12th.

•Autism Awareness “Steps of Hope Walk” Fundraiser.  The Girls Improving Friendships Together (G.I.F.T.) group is a support circle for girls on the Autism Spectrum.  These students are planning a bake sale where all money earned will be donated to the Autism Society of Minnesota, thus allowing the girls to participate in the “Steps of Hope Walk” taking place in early March.  The bake sale/fundraiser will take place at Northfield High School during the Varsity Boys’ basketball games on February 21 and February 24.

•The Senior Class Lock-in will be held on May 25th, the last day of classes for seniors at Northfield High School.  Seniors will come to school at 10:00 p.m. on Friday night and will be “locked-in” until 5:00 a.m. the next morning.  A wide variety of games and activities are planned.  This is a safe, chemical-free event for the 300+ students in the senior class.

•The Story of Anne Frank play at St. Paul Park Square Theater.  Eighth grade students in the English as a Second Language (ESL) class at Northfield Middle School are currently reading the book, The Story of Anne Frank.  These students, also part of the Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes (TORCH) program, will attend The Story of Anne Frank play being performed at the St. Paul Park Square Theater in April.

•Day of Silence.  Students of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Northfield High School will participate in Day of Silence, a national event organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), where students remain silent for an entire day.  This event is designed to bring awareness to and protest the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students.

•Cyberbullying Presentation.  The Northfield Middle School will offer a specific cyberbullying presentation to the 6th grade class.  A specialist in this field, Mr. David Eisenmann will speak to students about appropriate internet, Facebook, and cell phone texting use.  The Middle School hopes to make students aware of the types of bullying techniques used in the cyber world and the potential consequences of cyberbullying.

•ARTech’s Society for Skeptical Inquiry.  Students at the Northfield School of Arts and Technology (ARTech) are forming a group to promote critical thinking skills and academic integrity among students.  The ARTech students plan to bring speakers in to present at their meetings, starting in March.  They have already identified a first speaker to talk about the importance of critical thinking and how to utilize this skill to avoid scams and frauds.

•Colleen Riley Artist in Residency.  Karna Hauck, art teacher at Sibley Elementary School, will welcome ceramic artist Colleen Riley as a guest teacher for the 3rd grade art classes.  The artist will help the students create ceramic/clay garden ornaments.  The students’ art projects will be displayed at Sibley’s Beyond Words event in April.

•Library Beach Party!  Teens active with the Northfield Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) will create and host a nine-hole mini-golf experience (with “driving range”) set up throughout the Northfield Library on Sunday, March 4th.  This has become a popular annual event for the library.  In addition to mini-golf, TAB members plan to offer laser tag and beach party-themed games for event participants.  Everyone is welcome to attend this event.

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HCI offers mini-grants 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)

Applications are reviewed monthly and are due by the second Monday of the month.  Visit www.northfieldhci.org/mini-grants for more information and to access the easy-to-complete application.

Funding for the HCI mini-grants comes from the Northfield Area United Way, Women In Northfield Giving Support (WINGS), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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By Amy Lunderby | Posted in Cyberbullying, HCI Mini-Grants, HCI Newsletter, Site announcements, Uncategorized, Upcoming events, Youth leadership | Comments (0)

Northfield News features HCI in recent issues

February 21, 2012 – 8:47 pm

The Northfield News recently published a series of pieces on the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative, its work in the community, and its upcoming changes.  Check them out:

 

 

 

By Zach Pruitt | Posted in HCI Newsletter, Programs, Site announcements | Comments (0)