Newsletter for April 21, 2009
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Parenting is the hardest job you'll ever love."
Unknown
HELP Center Announcements
Save the Date:
End of the Year Event
Monday, May 18, 2009 from 4-7 pm
Join us to celebrate another successful year! Please watch your email for an e-vite invitation in April. Those who RSVP are allowed to receive some great giveaways (gift certificates for hair cuts, family outings, Twins games, Bibelot gift cards, University of MN Bookstore gear, and more).
PASS Group (Parenting as Students Support Group)
Wednesdays 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
The Student Parent HELP Center meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 in Room 24, Appleby Hall.
The group provides the opportunity to connect with other student parents, discuss the challenges and joys surrounding academic studies and parenthood and share a FREE lunch with your fellow SPHC friends.
The direction of the group will be determined in large part by your needs and ideas. Your willingness to share experiences and personal challenges will undoubtedly help others, so we hope you will join us as often as you can. Feel free to come for all or part of the group and remember that you are not obligated to come every week. Simply come as often as your schedule allows. (Your little ones are welcome!!). See below for upcoming group topics.
April 22, 2009: KIDS CLOTHING EXCHANGE! Please bring in your children's outgrown gently-used clothes or take advantage of our donations from Como Community Child Care. You are always welcome to look through the clothing even if you don’t bring anything. Lunch today will be chili with all of the fixings.
April 29, 2009: Local Blooma yoga employee (www.blooma.com) and private yoga teacher, Jennifer Colletti, will be here to offer some great relaxation tips for parents prior to finals. We will have White Bean Chili and homemade bread for lunch.
May 6, 2009: Last group of the semester! Come prepared to have fun, say goodbye to friends, and reflect on the semester. We will order in for lunch today.
Note: Please know that the SPHC staff does not want student parents to skip class in order to attend the weekly group meetings. Academics are considered student parents' priority at the U. If there is a specific topic you are interested in and you are unable to attend group, please inform a staff member and we will be happy to provide information to you after the group meets.
If you have suggestions for a specific topic or program, contact Jerri Wagner
or Melanie Opay at sphc@umn.edu.
We Need You…
The Student Parent Association (SPA) is a University student group specifically designed to address the issues facing student parents on campus. As the new academic year gets underway, SPA is looking to enroll new members and officers. Membership and officer application forms are available on their web site under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address: warfi002@umn.edu.
We will also have applications available at the HELP Center and you can attend a meeting and sign up then as well. Meetings are held each Friday from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM in the Student Parent HELP Center. This type of engagement looks wonderful on a resume and goes a long way toward increasing the visibility of student parents at the U of MN. Please visit their web site to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
Green Living Feature
Living Green Expo
May 2-3, Minnesota State Fair Grounds
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Living Green Expo, Minnesota’s largest environmental event, provides real solutions for people to live better, healthier lives with less impact on the environment. The two-day, family-friendly event, free to visitors, connects people who are interested in making a positive difference both in their lives and in their communities.
http://www.livinggreen.org/index-expo.cfm
Farmer's Markets in Minneapolis and St. Paul
By Clara James, About.com
http://minneapolis.about.com/od/foodanddrink/tp/farmersmarkets.htm
Our farmer's markets sell wonderful fresh produce from Minnesota and western Wisconsin, flowers, baked goods, cheese and honey. Hours and days of these markets are subject to change, so verify that the market will be open via their contact information on their website before setting out. Happy shopping!
Downtown St. Paul Farmers Market
This is the flagship farmer's market in St. Paul. It's held in a dedicated space in the Lowertown district of downtown St. Paul. Live bands play every weekend. It's a fun morning out! The Black Dog coffee shop, across from the southwest corner of the market, is a great place to get a coffee to sip while you browse. The Market is at the corner of Fifth Street and Wall Street. Free parking is available in several lots surrounding the market, and meter parking is free on Saturday and Sunday near the market.
Saturdays and Sundays, April - November.
Saturday hours: 6 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday hours: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Seventh Place Mall Market, St. Paul
The Seventh Place Mall Market is held in the pedestrianized part of Seventh Street, opposite the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul. It's smaller than the main Lowertown market, but still has a good selection of goods for sale.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, June - October
Tuesday and Thursday hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
St. Luke's Church Market, St. Paul
Another satellite market of the St. Paul Farmers Market in Lowertown, this market is held on Friday afternoons. St. Luke's Church, on the corner of Summit Avenue and Lexington Avenue, St. Paul. There's plenty of free street parking around the market.
Fridays, May - October
Friday hours: 1.15 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Mill City Farmers Market, Minneapolis
The Mill City Farmer's Market has a great location: right on the bank of the Mississippi, next to the Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum. Second Street and South Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis.
Saturdays, May-October.
Saturday hours: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Minneapolis Farmers Market: Nicollet Mall
This is the first of two locations of the Minneapolis Farmer's Market. It occupies a five-block stretch of Nicollet Mall on Thursdays and Saturdays. The Thursday market is open all day, handy for those who are not early birds! Nicollet Mall, between 5th Street and 10th Street.
Thursdays and Saturdays, May - October.
Thursday hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Minneapolis Farmers Market: Lyndale Market
The second of the two markets run by the Minneapolis Farmer's Market is held just west of Downtown. This market is every day of the week, and has plenty for sale. 312 East Lyndale Avenue North, Minneapolis.
Every day, April - Mid November
Daily hours: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At Minneapolis' Midtown Farmer's Market, local artists and community groups have stalls together with a huge selection of produce, plants, bread, dairy and meat products. This market accepts VISA and MasterCard and Food Stamps (EBT). Market shoppers can use their card to buy wooden market tokens at the market's information tent, which can then be used like cash at the market. The market has plenty of free parking, and is also close to the Lake Street/Midtown light rail station. Midtown Public Market: 2225 E. Lake Street, on the corner of Lake Street and 22nd Avenue.
Tuesdays and Saturdays, May - October
Tuesday hours: 3.30 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.
Saturday hours: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
University of Minnesota Farmers Market
The University of Minnesota Farmers Market brings fresh produce and flowers to the Twin Cities campus. The market is held every Wednesday, rain or shine, on Church Street, on the East Bank, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.The market features vendors who are contracted to sell locally grown produce, berries, and fresh flowers. Visitors to the market can also purchase maple syrup and apples from the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. In addition to buying grilled veggies and locally grown produce, visitors to the market receive a complimentary tote bag. Sponsored by the Office of Human Resources and the Employee Wellness Program, the market brings fresh fruit and veggies to the Twin Cities campus to promote a healthy workplace and a healthy lifestyle for employees, students, and people from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Wednesdays, July - October from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How To Make a One-Pot Indoor Herb Garden
It’s not difficult to grow herbs indoors - even in a tiny kitchen. One big pot, some potting soil, and a few herb plants are all you need. You should also have a sunny spot; the herbs will need plenty of direct sunshine.
1. Pot and tray - Buy a large, deep plant pot. Make sure there is at least one small hole in the bottom for drainage. If you have easy access to some stones or gravel, put a few inches of stones at the bottom of the pot to promote drainage. Also make sure you buy a plastic or ceramic tray for under the pot to keep drained water from dripping on the floor.
2. Hardy herbs - Choose a variety of herbs for this pot. We chose cooking herbs - sage, sweet basil, and caraway thyme. We liked the different sizes and heights; sage grows tall, while basil is more bushy. The thyme is a creeper, growing flat to the ground. It has a tendency to take over its environment, so we will trim it back regularly.
Choosing herbs: We had a hard time finding herbs until we went to a nursery. They had just a few hardy specimens left, including the sage and thyme. Sometimes Trader Joe's has basil, too. We used three small basil plants, one tall and leggy sage, and a small thyme creeper.
3. Soil and water - Fill the pot up with soil, stopping about 3 inches from the top. Moisten the soil lightly but thoroughly with water and mix it until evenly wet. It shouldn't be dripping wet - just loosely muddy. Dig a small hole, deep down. Remove one of the plants from its nursery container. Gently loosen the soil around its roots. You don't want to tear the roots apart - just loosen them up a bit. Put in the hole and pack about an inch of dirt over top of the root ball. Repeat for the other plants, giving them several inches of room between each other. Water again when finished.
4. Water and sun - Put the pot on its drainage tray. Place anywhere it can get full sun. You'll need as much weak winter sun as you can get. Don't overwater; pour in a cup of water wherever and whenever leaves look droopy.
For cooking, cut leaves and stems off the tops first - not the sides.
Enjoy your fresh herbs!
Gardening Matters Community Garden Directory
A list of community gardens across the Twin Cities
5th Street Community Garden 1800 5th Street South, Minneapolis |
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12th and 13th Avenue Block Club Garden 2727 12th Ave South, Minneapolis |
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32nd Street Community Garden 3201 29th Avenue South, Minneapolis |
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Accord Community Garden Van Cleve Park-15th St & Como Ave, Minneapolis |
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Aurora/ St. Anthony's Community Peace Sanctuary Garden 851 Aurora Avenue, St. Paul |
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Bancroft Meridian Garden 1201 E 38th Street, Minneapolis |
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Bearsville Meadow 2110 Orchard Lane, White Bear Lake |
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Brian Coyle Community Garden 1515 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis |
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Bronx Park Community Garden 2500 Georgia Avenue, St. Louis Park |
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Camden Gateway Sculpture Garden 42nd Ave N and Lyndale Ave N, Minneapolis |
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Cathedral Hill Homes Garden 280 Dayton Ave, St. Paul |
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Celeste's Dream Community Garden 1884 Randolph Ave, St. Paul |
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Churchill Gardens Intersection of Horton,Van Slyke, and Churchill St, St. Paul |
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Cobblehill Apartments Community Garden 2600 Cobblehill Dr, Woodbury |
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Columbus Community Garden 3300 Columbus Ave S, Minneapolis |
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Common Ground Community Garden 5151 & 5159 Newton Ave N, Minneapolis |
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Community Design Center-1288 Forest Street Garden 1288 Forest Street, St. Paul |
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Community Design Center- Dayton's Bluff Children's Garden 308/310 Maria, St. Paul |
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Community Design Center- Harding High Food for Thought Garden Birmingham and Fremont, St. Paul |
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Community Design Center- HealthEast Care Center Garden 753 East 7th Street, St. Paul |
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Community Design Center- Holy Trinity Church Garden 956 Forest Street, St. Paul |
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Community Design Center- Sam Eddy Memorial Garden 1280 Arcade Street, St. Paul |
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Community Design Center- Swede Hollow Kitchen Garden 721 East 7th Street, St. Paul |
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Community Peace Garden Hwy 94 and Cedar Ave, Minneapolis |
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Community Triangle Garden 51st Street & Park Avenue, Minneapolis |
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Como Corner Community Garden 1000 22nd Ave SE, Minneapolis |
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Cornercopia Student Organic Farm at the UMN Cleveland Ave & Larpenteur Ave, Falcon Heights |
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Dodge Nature Center Family Garden 1701 Charlton St, West St Paul |
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Dowling Community Garden 46th Avenue at 39th Street, Minneapolis |
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Dunning Community Garden |
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East Metro Place Garden 3521 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake |
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East Whittier Community Garden 107 East 27th Street, Minneapolis |
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Eat Street Community Garden 2416 1st Ave S, Minneapolis (just south of the purple and turquoise Victorian House) |
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Eleanor Graham Community Garden 1335 Ashland Ave, St. Paul |
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Emily Peake Memorial Garden 1900 block of 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis |
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Falcon Heights Community Garden Cleveland Ave & Roselawn Ave, Falcon Heights |
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Fire Station 19 St. Paul Ave & Edgcumbe Rd, St. Paul |
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Forest Lake Community Garden Lake Street (Hwy 61), Forest Lake |
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Fran and Gladys' Community Garden 680 Dale Street, St. Paul |
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Gateway Community Garden SW corner of 12th Ave SE & E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis |
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Greenvale Community Garden 700 Lincoln Parkway Northfield, MN |
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Hale, Page, Diamond Lake Community Garden 49th Street and Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis |
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Hawthorne Neighborhood Garden 2826 North 4th Street, Minneapolis |
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Highland Perennial Garden Montreal and Edgecumbe, St. Paul |
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Hope Community Youth and Community Gardens 2115 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis |
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Horton Park Community Gardens Hamline and Englewood, St. Paul |
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Hub of Heaven 2728 26th St. E, Minneapolis |
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I-94 and Dowling Community Garden I-94 and Dowling Avenue North, Minneapolis |
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Jordan Community Garden 1722 26th Avenue North, Minneapolis |
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JD Rivers' Children's Garden Glenwood Ave. & Washburn Ave. N. in Minneapolis |
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JT Blaisdell Community Garden 2609 Blaisdell Ave S, Minneapolis |
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Kaleidoscope Garden 2504 Columbus Ave S, Minneapolis |
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Kids Cook! Loring Schoolyard Garden 2600 44th Ave N (south of Loring School at Thomas Avenue and 44th Avenue N) |
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LaSalle Community Garden 1800 block of LaSalle Ave, Minneapolis |
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Lehna's Garden Greenway between Colfax and Fremont Avenues, Minneapolis |
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Lincoln School Peace Garden Penn Ave N and 12th Ave N, Minneapolis |
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Lyndale Neighborhood Rain Garden 102 W 32nd St, Minneapolis |
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Midtown Greenway Rainwater Garden Project - Whittier Grand Ave and the Greenway, Minneapolis |
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Midtown Greenway Rainwater Garden Project - East Phillips 28th Street and the Midtown Greenway, Minneapolis |
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Midway Greenspirit Garden Pierce Butler and Hamline Ave, St. Paul |
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Minnehaha Avenue Community Garden 3128 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis |
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Minnesota Women Suffrage Garden Cedar Ave & Martin Luther King Blvd, St. Paul |
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Mulberry Junction 22rd Ave NE and California St NE, Minneapolis |
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MULCH (Macalester Urban Land and Community Health) 194 Vernon St, just west of the Macalester campus between Princeton and St Clair inSt. Paul |
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O.W.L.S. Community Garden Behind 819 Weeks Ave SE along RR tracks, Minneapolis |
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Olson Community Garden 800 Santa Vera Drive, Chanhassen |
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Oxford-Dayton Community Garden 1035 Dayton Avenue, Saint Paul, MN |
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Patrick Henry Oak Savanna Garden 4320 Newton Ave N, Minneapolis |
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Phalen Poetry Park 987 Ivy Avenue, St. Paul |
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Phalen Village Community Garden of District 2 Maryland and Hazelwood, St. Paul |
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Pioneer Park Gardens 8950 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie |
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Pioneer Trail Gardens 13180 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie |
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Pleasant Avenue Community Garden 3518 Pleasant Ave. S., Minneapolis |
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Powderhorn Park East Community Garden 3217 15th Ave S, Minneapolis |
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Powderhorn Park East Community Garden 3217 15th Ave S, Minneapolis |
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Prairie Oaks Community Garden 2600 Oakland Ave, Minneapolis |
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Rail Road Island Community Garden 516 Beaumont St, St. Paul |
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Richfield Community Garden 28th Avenue S and County Rd 62 (58 1/2 St), Minneapolis |
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Saint Anthony Park Community Garden At Robbins and Raymond Ave, St. Paul |
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Shalom Garden 2819-23 15th Avenue S, Minneapolis |
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Sheila Wellstone Peace Garden 3350 N. 4th Street, Minneapolis (back by the fence) |
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Shoreham Community Garden 600 block of 27th Ave NE, Minneapolis |
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Soo Line Community Garden 2845 Garfield Ave S, Minneapolis |
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St. Louis Park Community Garden 2750 Virginia Ave S, St. Louis Park |
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Summit Monument Garden Summit Ave & Mississippi River Blvd, St. Paul |
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The 18th Avenue Green Summit Ave & Mississippi River Blvd, St. Paul |
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The Artstop Garden 32nd St and Chicago Ave-SE corner, Minneapolis |
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The Garden of Good Hearts Congress and South Wabasha, St. Paul |
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The Red River Ox-Cart Trail Garden St Anthony Street and Raymond Ave, St. Paul |
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Totem Town Community Garden 391 South Winthrop, St. Paul |
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The Peaceful Patch 2444 11th Ave S, Minneapolis |
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The Seward Youth Peace Garden 2309 28th Ave S-Seward Montessori School, Minneapolis |
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Triangle Garden 42nd & Humboldt Ave N, Minneapolis |
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Urban Ventures Community Garden 4th Avenue and 29th Street Minneapolis, MN |
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Van Cleve Park "Green Thumb" Cutting Garden Van Cleve Park, Minneapolis |
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Waite Park Community Garden Johnson St and 36th Ave NE, NW corner, Minneapolis |
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Walker Church Community Garden 3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis |
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West Calhoun Community Garden 31st Street and Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis |
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Youth Farm and Market Multiple Locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul Visit us atyouthfarm.net |
Career Resources
On-Campus Career Centers
College of Education and Human Development
Exploratory, Transition, and Career Services
Our mission to prepare and support undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Education and Human Development to make well thought out and informed decisions about their present and future academic, experiential learning, and occupational choices.
College of Liberal Arts Career and Community Learning Center
CCLC connects U of M students to community involvement and service-learning opportunities and exchanges to other U.S. campuses. CCLC also offers resources and services to help undergraduate College of Liberal Arts students choose a major, get an internship or volunteer opportunity, choose a career, find a job, apply to graduate/professional school, and prepare for the world of work.
http://www.cclc.umn.edu/
CLA career services http://careerservices.class.umn.edu/
We provide comprehensive career development assistance to undergraduate and graduate students through individual appointments, workshops, courses, as well as through online and print resources.
http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/
Career Search Preparation Tools
Online Career Workshops
Do you need help writing a resume or cover letter, effectively job searching and networking, or practicing your interview skills, but don’t have time to attend a workshop? Check out these online career workshops, which are a great way to gather basic career information at a time that is convenient to you!
http://cehd.umn.edu/ETCS/career/workshops.html
Practice Interviews Online With InterviewStream!
What is InterviewStream?
A webcam based virtual mock interviewing tool.
Why use InterviewStream?
Because when it comes to interviewing – practice and preparation are key!
You can choose your questions and immediately view your answers online.
It’s convenient, easy to use, and free for U of M students!
How do I start?
Click on the link: http://campus.interviewstream.com/login/?schoolid=323
Create an account, set up your webcam, pick your questions, and start interviewing.
Don’t have a web cam? Students served by our office can check one out from the St. Paul Campus Career Center in 198 McNeal Hall.
What if I want feedback on my interview video from a career adviser?
We’re happy to help! Feedback sessions are appointment based, to set up a time with a career adviser call 612-624-2170
Employment databases and search engines
University of Minnesota
GoldPASS — University of Minnesota Internship/Job Database
Students are able to post and store their profile and up to five different résumés in GoldPASS’s database. A student can choose to make that information available to employers, who are able to search the database for candidates.
Student Employment at the University
Opportunities for working while attending the University are plentiful and diverse. In fact, there are usually more job vacancies than applicants.
Minnesota
LandIt!
Students — View job and internship postings from hundreds of employers in Minnesota, research employers, and search postings by your field of interest.
ISEEK.ORG
Minnesota's gateway to career, education, employment and business information
Minnesota Teacher Recruitment Center was designed for Minnesota school districts to fill open teaching positions and to assist teacher candidates locate current teaching vacancies in Minnesota.
Minnesota Council of Non-Profits
Search for job openings in non-profit and governmental agencies throughout Minnesota.
National
Academic Employment Network — If you are looking for a teaching job or other academic position, a successful national employment search is but a click away!
Job Source searches through millions of jobs from thousands of Web sites including Monster, Careerbuilder, Hotjobs, Net-temps, Dice, and Craigslist. Find jobs from all job sites, newspapers, associations, and company career pages at one site.
Resources for Career Clothing
*The SPHC has a limited number of adult interview and career clothing available. Please call the front desk line at 612-626-6015 to schedule an appointment to "shop" the in the clothing closet if you are in need of career clothing.
Ready for Success
Sponsored by Episcopal Community Services
2 locations:
1831 E Minnehaha
St. Paul, MN
651-731-6400
425 Oak Grove
Minneapolis, MN
612-872-1509
Martha’s Closet
500 Cedar St
St. Paul, MN
651-224-4728
Elbethel Baptist Church
3953 4th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
612-825-6469
Hot Tip
Study Tool
MeetingWizard: Online Scheduling Solutions
Use MeetingWizard to arrange and schedule meetings and other events. As a productivity tool it makes the planning process easier and more effective.
MeetingWizard automatically does the following:
- sends invitations to participants proposing alternate times
- summarizes their responses
- updates you on the results
- sends confirmations
- sends optional reminders prior to meetings
MeetingWizard requires only that you and your participants have access to e-mail and a browser. It uses the simplest technologies possible, ensuring that all of your guests will be able to use the system.
How MeetingWizard Works
The system typically works in a 3-step process.
1. You invite participants providing a number of optional dates/times.
2. Participants respond to invitations by indicating when they are available.
3. You confirm the meeting or event after reviewing responses.
In addition, there are many other features that ensure you don't forget important details, and that all participants receive complete information about meetings.
Best of all, our basic free service allows you to schedule as many meetings or events as you like.
http://www.meetingwizard.com/mwiz/home/default.cfm
Scholarships
MSSA Scholarships
Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA) is sponsoring four scholarships to students enrolled in human service programs for the 2009 school year. Two MSSA Education Scholarships will be given in the amount of $1000 each to an undergraduate student enrolled in a program related to the human services field. The MSSA Diversity Scholarship for $1000 will be given to a student from a diverse background. The Marjorie J. Carpenter Scholarship is for $1500 and will be given to a graduate student in the human service field. Students can download the Scholarship Application at THE MSSA website:
http://www.mnssa.org/index_files/MSSAScholarship.htm Deadline: June 1, 2009
The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established in response to federal cuts in spending for education programs and scholarships. This is the foundation’s first educational program. The CBC Spouses Educational Scholarship is a national program that awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated students who intend to pursue full-time undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees. The Educational Scholarship Fund was established in 1988 and has experienced substantial growth. The fund is operated through the district offices of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). CBC Members work through local scholarship committees to award money to academically talented and highly motivated students.
http://www.cbcfinc.org/scholarships (Click here to download application) Deadline: June 1, 2009
The CBC Spouses Cheerios Brand Health Initiative Scholarship
This scholarship program focusing on health was established in 1998 as the CBC Spouses partnered with the naming sponsor, General Mills, to increase the number of minority students pursuing degrees in the fields of medicine, engineering, technology, nutrition and other health-related professions. Since the inception of the program, General Mills has invested more than $1,000,000 to underwrite this initiative. The CBC Spouses Cheerios Brand Health Initiative Scholarship has served hundreds of students over the years, and has helped to create leaders in the medical and health related fields.
http://www.cbcfinc.org/scholarships (Click here to download application) Deadline: June 1, 2009
SPENDonLIFE Credit Challenged Scholarship
The SPENDonLIFE College Scholarship program offers financial assistance for college students who are unable to obtain student loans due to the current credit crunch or a negative credit history. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 a year of full-time study and are based on financial need and participation in the application process.
Eligibility
The students must meet the following qualifications in order to be eligible:
- The student must have been rejected for a student loan due to the credit crunch or their personal credit history. A rejection letter from a lending institution or a letter from the student's financial aid officer confirming denial of financing may be requested.
- The student must be a legal U.S. Resident.
- The student must be a high school or college student.
- The student must be 17-25 years of age.
- The student must plan to be enrolled or must currently be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate course of study at an accredited two- to four-year college or university.
Selection of Recipients
Scholarship recipients are selected on a competitive basis with consideration of the applicant’s essay, financial need, and participation in the application process. Financial data is reviewed to determine the amount of each award, ranging from $500 to $5,000.
http://students.spendonlife.com/scholarship Deadline: June 15th, 2009
College Scholarships Foundation Women's Scholarship
The roles of women as family caretakers and members of the workforce have started to even out. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women, when compared to men, spend more time on caring for children/household members and housework, while also working nearly as many hours at their jobs - about a one hour difference.
Some women find getting an education to be a difficult undertaking, especially when childbearing enters the picture. Although college enrollment of women is higher than men, the financial burden may be harder to deal with during school and after a degree is completed. We help deserving female students with their education expenses so they can focus on what's most important - caring for the current and future generations. As tuition and college expenses continue to rise, we feel it is in our best interest to help the most deserving students. This brings us many tough decisions in deciding who is the most "deserving". Our ideal candidate is someone who sticks out amongst the crowd of applicants. After reading your essay and credentials, we want to know you're the winner without any doubts. Here's a hint - the best way to do this is to write in your own unique style and with total honesty.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. citizen
- 3.0 GPA
- Currently attending full time study in post-secondary education (undergraduate or graduate)
- Female
To apply, visit our website to fill out our online application form. Along with your academic scores, we require an essay...which will be your chance to separate yourself from the rest.
There is a 300 word limit to our essay questions. Generally though, short and interesting is preferred over verbose. Use any of these questions as the basis for your scholarship essay:
- How have your education plans affected your plans of starting a family?
- What trends do you foresee occuring for women in the workforce?
- Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
http://www.collegescholarships.org/our-scholarships/women.htm Deadline: December 24th, 2009
Opportunities to Share
Student Parent Success Stories
We would like to continue featuring announcements of student and family successes as regular newsletter items. If you will be graduating at the end of fall term, are welcoming a new child, purchasing a home, getting married or experiencing any related event that you would like to have us post in the newsletter, please send the details to the SPHC email address, spch@umn.edu. We would be proud and honored to share in celebrating these wonderful life transitions with you and your families.
Photo Gallery
Sharing photos of our children and families is a great way to get to know each other. If you have a photo of your child(ren) or family and would like to see it featured in one of our upcoming newsletters, send it as an e-mail attachment to sphc@umn.edu.
Community Resources
Tubman
Please note that Tubman Family Alliance and Chrysalis, A Center for Women, have merged their operations and are now known as Tubman. The merge unites the complementary strengths of Chrysalis' chemical dependency and mental health programs with Tubman Family Alliance's domestic violence prevention work. If you are interested in more information on the programs available through Tubman, or would like to download any of their program guides, please visit their website at www.tubman.org.
Fare For All
Big savings every month on fresh, high quality, nutritious groceries – that’s what Fare For All is all about! As food prices continue to rise, more Minnesotans are experiencing significant difficulties affording basic expenses each month. Fare For All is open to anyone who wants to save money on their groceries. Participants have the opportunity to save 40-50% off their monthly food budgets and access fresh fruits and veggies, frozen meats of all kinds, and a variety of non-perishable staple items.
For more information visit www.fareforall.org or call 763-450-3880 or 1-800-582-4291 (outside Metro area).
MinnesotaHelp.info
MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help. It is especially rich in resource information for seniors and their caregivers; people with disabilities and their caregivers; parents and families; and low income people. http://www.minnesotahelp.org/public/
211, First Call for Help
Looking for information on childcare, food, housing, transportation or senior services? The Minnesota 2-1-1 database lists more than 10,000 organizations and 40,000 services throughout the state. Just dial 2-1-1 (or 651-291-0211). It's free, confidential and available 24/7. Trained information specialists can connect you to more than 40,000 community resources. Multi-lingual lines are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. You can also download a copy of the 2-1-1 application and database (http://www.ctkodm.com/gtcuw/211_app/ ) directly to your computer. By doing this, you will be able to search for resources at any time without needing an Internet connection.
Energy Assistance
Whether we like it or not the cold is coming! Many Minnesotans will see significant increases in their energy bills, sometimes beyond the ability of some to pay. The Energy Assistance Program provides grants for individuals in need. Please visit the following link for more information: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536881374&contentid=
Are you looking for specific information for your County?
If so, please check out the following links for metro Counties:
Parenting Information
Minnesota Parents Know
Trusted parenting information, resources, and activities to help your children grow, develop, and learn from birth through high school.
This website features special sections for newborns, children ages 1-2, children ages 3-5, grades K-8, and grades 9-12. Links to other parenting resources are also available.
http://www.parentsknow.state.mn.us/
Parent Zone
Welcome to the most comprehensive resource for Twin Cities parents. This site proves that the area has far more to offer families than the Mall of America! This over-flowing directory of local resources includes free things to do around town, great classes for kids, the most family-friendly of the 10,000 lakes, and more! Plus, the local events calendar features family fun on both sides of the river. It's Minnesota nice! http://twincities.parentzone.com/
MinnMoms.com
Welcome to MinnMoms.com -- a Web community designed for busy moms just like you. This new venture, from the folks at the Pioneer Press and twincities.com, was created to meet a need we kept hearing about in the community. Moms wanted local solutions to their everyday dilemmas (What's for dinner?), they wanted help making important decisions (What school should I choose?) and they wanted the latest information on issues that matter to them (bispheynol-A in kids products). They also wanted a way to connect and share with other local moms. And they wanted it all in one easy-to-use place available at a time that was convenient to them. MinnMoms.com does just that and we hope you'll enjoy MinnMoms.com. More than that, we hope you will make the site your own by participating in discussions, commenting on our Daily Juggle blog and sending your feedback. If you can't find something you need, let us know. MinnMoms.com is here for you.
http://www.minnmoms.com/
Mommy Savers
Money Saving Ideas for Frugal Moms
Welcome to Mommysavers! This is the site for all moms who want the best for their families, but don't want to spend an arm and a leg to get it. Here you'll find the best internet bargains, money saving ideas, arts and crafts activities, work at home resources, and support from other moms on the internet.
http://mommysavers.com/money-saving-ideas/index.shtml
Mom Talk!
Looking for a place to learn from other moms, share resources, recipes and experiences? Visit www.momtalk.com. This is a great online forum with information on health and wellness, upcoming events, pregnancy and just about anything related to being a mom in the Twin Cities.
Dads Today!
Welcome, Dads! Here's a place just for you to get the answers you're looking for, make new friends and be a part of an active community. Visit http://www.dadstoday.com/. Have fun!
University of Minnesota Extension Service
The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers a host of resources for Minnesota parents. Please bookmark the following website for access to answers and advice regarding a number of common parenting questions. http://www.extension.umn.edu
Learn to Swim
Learn to Swim focuses on providing safety and fun in and around the water. Participants learn a solid base of swimming skills and build upon them throughout the program. The classes are taught following American Red Cross Learn to Swim Guidelines.
Learn to Swim is a program through the University of Minnesota Recreational Sports and classes are offered at St. Paul and Minneapolis. Classes are offered for parents and children (6 months to 5 years old), children lessons (age 4 and older), and for adults.
Rates for University students is: $50 per participant.
For more information visit www.recsports.umn.edu, call 612-625-3794, or email lts@umn.edu
Parent Warmline 612-813-6336
The Parent Warmline is a free consultation service for parents provided by Children’s Hospital. If you have questions or concerns about behavioral or developmental issues such as toilet training, discipline, sleep patterns, temper tantrums, fears, etc., call this free hotline (612-813-6336) and leave your name, telephone number and a brief description of your concern. Within 24 hours a professionally trained volunteer will call you back to offer practical advice, encouragement or community resource referrals. Please note that the Parent Warmline is a non-crisis, non-medical service. This service is free to parents who live in the Twin Cities metro area.
Community Events and Activities
Family Friendly Activities in the Twin Cities!
Twin Cities Family Event Calendars
Looking for local outings for you and your family? Check out these websites for Twin Cities area event calendars. Enjoy!
http://www.minneapolis.org/page/1/events-search-results.jsp?keyword=Keyword&date=3%2F23%2F2009-4%2F7%2F2009&category=2003&x=40&y=17
http://www.twincitiesmom.com/calendar.aspx
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/region/minneapolis-st-paul-mn-usa
Dinh Thi Tham Poong
Gardens of Eden, 2004
watercolor on do paper
Changing Identity: Recent Works by Women Artists from Vietnam
Presented at the Weisman Art Museum, Changing Identity: Recent Works by Women Artists from Vietnam is the first major touring exhibition to feature Vietnamese women artists in the U.S. The exhibition explores the roles of women in Vietnamese society and challenges the stereotypes they face. By tracing the trajectories and life stories of ten artists working in a variety of media - painting, ink drawing, video performance, photography, and multimedia installations - Changing Identity reveals these women in their historical and social contexts as artists, as Vietnamese, and as individuals.
http://weisman.umn.edu/exhibits/ChangingIdentity/home.html
Wild Rumpus Books
Wild Rumpus Books is a great children's bookstore in south Minneapolis where they
have a bunch of live animals for the kids to pet - birds, chinchillas, lizards, even a tarantula. They also let cats & 2 chickens roam around the store freely. There are lots of comfy spots to sit & read stories to the kids & they have a great selection of used books for purchase between $0.25 & $1.00.
Wild Rumpus also offers Tale Time! Stories for the wee....every Monday at 10:30 AM...guaranteed NOT to put you to sleep! Babies through preschoolers welcome! (oh, parents too).
www.wildrumpusbooks.com
Free Third Sundays at the Minnesota Children’s Museum
Check out this great museum just for kids of all ages, free on the third Sunday of every month!
Saint Paul, MN 651-225-6034 http://www.mcm.org/
Free Thursdays at the Walker Art Center
Admission is free every Thursday at the Walker Art Center.
Minneapolis, MN 612-375-7622 http://www.walkerart.org/index.wac
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Ten Sundays each year the MIA hosts Family Days. These events feature music, art, dance performance and hands-on activities for kids. May’s event is “Spaces and Places" where families will have the opportunity to explore the museum and discover all the fabulous places you can visit through art. Create your own masterpiece as you draw from a live costumed model. Discover how to use the space around you in theater workshops, and enjoy music, performances, and much more! This event is free and takes place on Sunday, May 10th between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. There is no pre-registration required-simply show up anytime between 11 and 5.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is located at 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404. Visit http://www.artsmia.org/ for more information.
The Bell Museum of Natural History
The Bell Museum of Natural History located right on our own U of M, East Bank campus, offers two fun family events. Visit their website for more details: http://www.bellmuseum.org/calendar.html
Nature Play
A drop-in family program from 1-3 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Free with museum admission. For families with kids ages 4 and older.
Nature Tots
A program for toddlers and preschoolers with their parents, held the first Thursday of every month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Free with museum admission, but registration is required. Call 612-624-9050.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Did you know…families who receive any assistance in the form of WIC, MFIP, GA, MA, MN Care, SSI, FS, or Section 8 qualify for reduced admission rates at the MN Science Museum. Just bring along current proof that you receive any of the assistance forms listed above, and you and your family can enjoy the Science Museum for the following prices:
Exhibits: $1.00
Exhibits + Omni Theater: $3.00
Please contact the museum with any further questions: 651.221.9444, www.smm.org
Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 9:30 am-5:00 pm, Thursday-Saturday 9:30 am-9:00 pm, Sunday 9:30 am-5:00 pm CLOSED MONDAY
Quick and Easy Recipes
Asian Salad
Makes: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite size pieces (optional)
- 1 (10-oz.) bag shredded cabbage
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tangerine, divided into sections
- ½ cup non-fat Asian or Oriental style salad dressing
- Black pepper
Directions
-In a large bowl, combine chicken (optional), cabbage, mushrooms, carrot, cilantro, cucumber, and dressing. Toss well. Top with green onions and tangerine sections.
No-Cook Applesauce
Makes: Approximately 1½ cups.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons apple juice or water
- 2 sweet/tart apples, cut in eighths
- 2 teaspoons Fruit Fresh
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Dash of cinnamon
Directions
- Put apple juice, four or five pieces of apple and Fruit Fresh powder into blender container. Cover and process until smooth.
- Remove the center feeder cap, turn blender back on and drop in remaining apple pieces, two or three at a time. You may need to stop blender and push mixture around with rubber spatula to aid chopping of added pieces.
- When applesauce is smooth, fold in sugar and cinnamon. Turn sauce into bowl(s).
Enjoy these easy and healthy recipes!
Grants Update
The lists for both the CCAMPIS Grant and the Post Secondary Child Care Grant are closed, there is no other funding available at this time.
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only.
COOL WEB LINK:
Seasame Workshop- The Nonprofit Organization Behind Seasame Street
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in the lives of children worldwide by addressing their critical developmental needs. The Workshop develops innovative and engaging educational content delivered in a variety of ways — including television, radio, books, magazines, interactive media, and community outreach. Taking advantage of all forms of media and using those that are best suited to delivering a particular curriculum, the Workshop effectively and efficiently reaches millions of children, parents, caregivers, and educators — locally, nationally and globally.
Visit http://www.sesameworkshop.org/home
Featured Books
*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Help Center
- Talking With Your Child About A Troubled World by Lynne S. Dumas
- Your Child Has A Disability: A Complete Sourcebook of Daily and Medical Care by Mark L. Batshaw, M.D.
- Developing Cross-Cultural Completence: A Guide for Working with Children and Their Families by Eleanor W. Lynch and Marci J. Hanson
- Making It As A Stepparent: New Roles/New Rules by Claire Berman
- Accept and Value Each Person by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed.
- The Next Place by Warren Hanson
Who’s Who at SPHC
Susan Warfield, MSW, LICSW
As the Director of the SPHC, I am responsible for overseeing all programs of the Student Parent HELP Center, managing our child care grants and supervising SPHC staff. This has meant that I have had to step back from having the degree of direct contact with students I have always enjoyed having in the past. This has been a difficult but necessary step for me to take in order to meet the needs of our growing program. If you have an issue that absolutely cannot be addressed by another SPHC staff member, you may schedule an appointment with me. These appointments should be booked through the SPHC front desk at 612-626-6015. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Clark Wagner (once she returns), Chanee Rudolf or our Graduate Social Work Intern. I am entering my 9th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from on-line staff, to Coordinator and now Director. With this evolution has come an increase in responsibilities and duties. Please know that even though you may not see as much of me in the actual Center as you may have in the past, I continue to work each and every day to bring you the programming, funding and visibility on campus that student parents need to have a successful experience at the U of MN. Over the summer and beginning of fall term I have had a chance to step back into the direct service world while our Direct Service Coordinatior is on leave; and will be leading group and completing the largest share of the new student intakes for the 2008-2009 year. It has been fun to get a chance to meet and greet our new students and to hang out with our new and on-going students in group once again. Rest assured that whether acting as the stand in group facilitator, or working on grants and other administrative duties for the center, I am always right next door and will always be working hard to bring you the services and funding needed to assure that each and every SPHC student parent has what they need to succeed at the U!
Jerri Wagner, MSW, LGSW
I am the Direct Service Program Coordinator for the Student Parent HELP Center. Originally from New York State, I graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in theatre, with minors in sociology and women’s studies. After undergrad, I was an AmeriCorps volunteer for one year in Chicago, teaching arts integration on the west side in a Chicago Public School. In June of 2003, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. While in graduate school, I served as a therapist with Chicago’s Metropolitan YWCA, working with survivors of sexual assault and their families. From 2003-2006, I coordinated two statewide youth violence prevention programs for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in Chicago. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, I spent March-June of 2006 traveling and learning abroad in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. I would love to talk about any of these varied experiences with you and really look forward to working with such an amazing and resilient population at the SPHC!
Melanie Opay
Hi everyone! I am the new graduate social work intern this year. I am a first-year direct practice student in the Master’s of Social Work program and am very excited to be in the program, at the University of Minnesota, and working in the Student Parent HELP Center for the entire year. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from Augsburg College and since then have been working in St. Paul as an MFIP job counselor. I’m thrilled to be working with student parents in a different capacity and look forward to getting to know you and your families throughout the school year!
Chanee Rudolph
Hello!! I am the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UGTA) here at the Student Parent HELP Center. This is my first year so like many of you I am learning a lot of new and exciting things. My job here is to assist you with anything you need as well as make you feel comfortable and welcomed, so please don't hesitate to ask me for anything if you have questions. I am in my third year here at the University and I am a family and social science major and developing a minor in Family Violence Prevention. So far, I have enjoyed myself more than any of you know and I am looking forward to many more to come!
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Melanie Opay at Sphc@umn.edu.