June 2008

Local youth writes powerful guest column

This school year, through its mini-grants program, HCI has been able to fund a number of requests from students in the Northfield High School Service-Learning class, led by Sarah Swan-McDonald. The mini-grants have helped to cover costs related to the students’ service-learning projects in the Northfield community.

One of the mini-grant recipients recently wrote a powerful guest column for the Northfield News, discussing the impact her service-learning project had on her future plans.

Check the article out by clicking here – it’s a great piece!

To learn more about HCI’s mini-grants program and to find the easy-to-complete application, click here. Applications are reviewed monthly.

Two Promise Fellow positions available locally

Those interested in working with Northfield youth encouraged to apply!

Northfield is partnering with the Minnesota Alliance With Youth to host two AmeriCorps Promise Fellows during the 2008-09 school year. The Promise Fellows each work with cohorts of 25-30 students to help assure the young people achieve academic success and are further connected to their community.

Fellows will be placed at the Northfield Middle School and Northfield Union of Youth/The Key. Click below for position descriptions for each Fellow opening. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references to the person listed on each position description.

Application review begins June 20, so apply today!

Questions? Call HCI at 507-664-3524 or the contacts listed on the descriptions.

Northfield Middle School

Northfield Union of Youth/The Key

The Key and Mayor's Youth Council to present at national conference

The Northfield Union of Youth/The Key and the Mayor's Youth Council Mayor’s Youth Council have been selected to lead a session at the national conference of the Search Institute, scheduled for November in Minneapolis. The two groups will present together on ways to foster community involvement among youth and to increase youth voice in civic affairs. The groups were invited to present by the Search Institute, who recognized the efforts underway in Northfield to engage young people in community decision-making.

The conference is attended by more than 1,100 people each year from across the United States and around the world. The Search Institute is one of the leading youth development organizations in the country.

PRIMEtime - After school programming for Northfield youth

Through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, local after school programs are working collaboratively to help increase the number of Northfield young people who have access to after school programming. This collaboration – called PRIMEtime – assures that there are free out-of-school-time opportunities available to Northfield youth in grades 4-12.

So far this school year, more than 350 local youth have participated in free PRIMEtime after school programs at Bridgewater Elementary School, Greenvale Park Elementary School, the Middle School Youth Center, and the Northfield Union of Youth/The Key.

For an overview of PRIMEtime, click here. For more information, contact HCI (664-3524, email ).

HCI invites board nominations

The Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) is currently seeking nominations for positions on the HCI Board. HCI expects to have at least one open board position beginning in September 2008. HCI board members serve three-year terms. In addition, the HCI Board will have at least one additional board opening for a local middle or high school student.

Formed in 1992, HCI is a coalition run by a board of community leaders, youth, parents, and school personnel. HCI’s mission is to “promote an environment that strengthens the networks of support that will nurture competent, caring and principled youth.” To achieve this, HCI does not operate or manage its own programs. Instead, HCI works with community partners to foster collaboration and to support community-driven efforts that benefit Northfield youth and families.

The HCI Board meets from 7:30-9:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of every month.

For more information on the HCI Board or to nominate yourself or someone else for the board, please contact Jim Blaha (HCI Board member) at 664-3550 or by email. Nominations should be received by Friday, June 20, 2008.

Lee Murray named May winner of "Making a Difference" award

Lee Murray is the May recipient of HCI’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth.

Lee has been an employee with the Northfield School District for the past 19 years. She is currently an educational assistant at Bridgewater Elementary. Lee impacts others with her enthusiastic philosophy that “learning is exciting.” In nominating Lee for this award, a co-worker described her as “an incredible role model for all of us.”

During her tenure with the Northfield School District, Lee has also worked at Greenvale Park Elementary. She currently provides a variety of support to the students and staff at Bridgewater, including managing the playground, working in the classrooms, serving as testing coordinator and monitoring the parking lot before and after school.

“I am honored to work for the Northfield School District,” said Lee. “I love my job working with all the students and staff. I couldn’t think of anything better to do.”

“Lee is an incredible person who works tirelessly to do the best job for the students of Bridgewater,” said Nancy Antoine, Bridgewater Elementary School Principal. “She is a true professional and a gem to have on staff!”

For more information on the "Making a Difference Award" or to nominate someone, click here.

Northfield High School drivers reminded to "BUCKLE-UP"

Bright yellow “BUCKLE-UP” messages serve as a reminder to cars exiting the Northfield High School and ARTech parking lots. The messages were stenciled by the Northfield Union of Youth’s Seatbelt Challenge Team. The stenciling is just one part of a nine-month campaign to promote seatbelt awareness among teen drivers.

The project is part of a Rice County Safe Communities (RCSC) and SE Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths countywide effort aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries due to not wearing seatbelts. RCSC spearheaded the project that began in the fall at four high schools in Rice County. Kathy Cooper, RCSC Coordinator, worked diligently with student teams at each location to plan and promote the seatbelt messages and activities.

RCSC is funded through a State of Minnesota Department of Traffic Safety- Toward Zero Deaths grant.

For more information on the Rice County Safe Communities Coalition, contact Kathy at kathy.cooper0215@gmail.com.

Writing mentor needed to lead Northfield Union of Youth's Writing Workshop

The Northfield Union of Youth is seeking a mentor/instructor to work with its popular Writing Workshop program next school year. This individual should be comfortable with a spontaneous, youth-generated, adult-guided format. Responsibilities include recruiting youth writers, teaching one class per week, and planning an end-of-the-year public reading.

The position is from September 2008 until June 2009 and pays $25 an hour. The position requires a 2-4 hour weekly commitment.

Please send résumé with two writing samples (due August 1st) to:

Northfield Union of Youth, Attn: Writing Workshop, P.O. Box 481, Northfield, MN 55057

Or email Josh.

Northfield HCI Home Page

info@northfieldhci.org

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