Newsletter for March 24, 2009
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
" People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes.
All is a miracle."
Thich Nhat Hanh
HELP Center Announcements
Staffing Updates
Susan Warfield- Susan will be out of the office on vacation from April 2-April 6, 2009. She will be returning to the office on April 7.
Jerri Clark Wagner- Jerri is still on a part-time schedule and will only be in the office on Wednesdays and Fridays.
AccountAbility Minnesota Taxpayer Assistance Program
It's Tax Season Again! The Taxpayer Assistance Program was established with the belief that a taxpayer's access to tax assistance should not depend solely on his or her ability to pay for such services. TAP operates annually from February through April. Volunteers help low-income individuals complete their federal and state tax returns at sites throughout the Twin Cities area, St. Cloud and Duluth. Free tax preparation assistance is available to individuals with an annual income of $27,000 or less per year and families with an annual income of $37,000 or less.
The Taxpayer Assistance Program is accepting appointments and walk-ins beginning January 30, 2007. To schedule an appointment, obtain locations, or for more information you can contact AccountAbility Minnesota at 651-287-0187.
New Frugal Living Websites!
Check out these great finds for frugal living and parenting websites. Find resources for quick, healthy, budget-friendly recipes, coupons, fun freebies and samples, and other tips from busy parents like you!
http://www.mommieswithcents.com/
http://twincities.momslikeme.com/members/exploregroups.aspx?p=101
Upcoming Career Fairs
*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.
2009 Minnesota Education Job Fair
Monday, April 6, 2009
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Minneapolis Convention Center
Visit http://www.mcucsa.org/mnedfair/ for more information about participating districts and districts that interview on-site.
To attend the job fair, students/alumni must: Be educated at a Minnesota college or university and licensed to teach or be qualified for an educational service area such as: counselor, speech therapist, or social worker, etc. by January 2010. All other candidates are prohibited from attending.
Registration: University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) students and alumni should pre-register through CEHD Exploratory, Transition, and Career (ETC) Services at http://www.cehd.umn.edu/ETCS/JobFair/, by Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 4:30pm.
Idealist Non-Profit Career Fair
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Coffman Great Hall
The Idealist.org Minneapolis Nonprofit Career Fair is generously co-hosted by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minnesota's Private Colleges Career Consortium (MPCCC), the Minnesota College and University Career Services Association (MCUCSA), a consortium of 30 career offices from across the state of Minnesota, and the The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. This year, the Minneapolis Idealist.org Nonprofit Career Fair is joining with the Working for Change conference. This collaborative event will provide the opportunity to explore careers with a focus on social justice - with particular focus on jobs in the nonprofit sector. There will be speakers, workshops, and panels to attend throughout the day offering information about working for change.
The nonprofit career fair will consist of:
- An informal networking period for nonprofit recruiters and representatives from local colleges and university Offices of Career Services.
- The fair itself, where job seekers can distribute resumes and speak with nonprofit recruiters about current and future employment, internship, and volunteer opportunities.
- Free information sessions offering nonprofit career advice to all job seekers.
http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/CareerFair/Viewer/default?career-fair-id=210
*Check out this website for other upcoming U of M Career Events: http://www.career.umn.edu/campusevents.htm
Save the Dates:
Student Parent Visibility Day
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 from 10 am-2 pm
We need volunteers badly and any time people can commit is welcome. Grab a volunteer form in the SPHC and sign up today. Sponsored by the Student Parent HELP Center and the Student Parent Association. This is our largest venue event we do all year and it is specifically designed to raise awareness of student parents in higher education and our U of M student parents specifically. We will also be hosting over 100 teen parents from across the metro area to encourage their continued educational development. Please join us for this inspiring, parent focused event.
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.
March 25, 2009: Welcome back from spring break! Today we will be having an open check-in and discussion around self-care and stress relief to gear up for the remainder of the semester. Bring your tips to share! We will be ordering lunch in today.
April 1, 2009: This week we will be hosting a special panel of former student parents, who will be joining us to speak about their careers, job searching tips, and experiences in grad school. Join us for great conversations and come prepared with questions. Lunch will be chili with all of the fixings.
April 8, 2009: We will be having another free chat this week, so join us for fun, food, and relaxation! Lunch will consist of crock-pot lasagna, homemade bread, and a salad.
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/
Finding Hope During Tough Times
Hope Is The Thing With Feathers
By Emily Dickinson
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chilliest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity
It asked a crumb of me.
7 Ways To Keep Hope Alive During The Tough Times
By Joan Clout-Kruse
http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Ways-to-Keep-Hope-Alive-During-The-Tough-Times&id=787557
Sometimes we need to take a break from writing a book or whatever we are doing at the time. "Life" gets in the way. We have a tough obstacle to overcome. We lost someone we love. A child needs our immediate attention. We must care for a sick child, or a parent needs our care. Many things happen that prevent us from moving on.
I found the following guidelines for keeping hope alive in a book I wrote a few years ago. It reminds me that sometimes we need to take a time-out while we rearrange the priorities in our lives. The next time you are going through tough times and there seems to be "no light at the end of the tunnel", this guide might help you...
Hope is the mainspring of life. Without hope we become lost and have no direction. Whenever you need a boost of hope use these seven affirmations to help you keep on going. Make them a part of your daily life.
1. I can YANK myself out of the doldrums by saying, "I can always find a way." I will say this as often as needed.
2. I will create an ACCOMPLISHMENT BOOK and write all the positive milestones that happened in my life. Periodically I will review my book, especially on tough days. I will practice positive thinking and keep a good attitude.
3. I will keep AWARE each day of what is going on in my life at that moment. When I notice that I am slipping into a feeling of hopelessness, I will "snap out of it" by calling a friend.
4. I will LAUGH and be joyful each day, as laughter heals. I will smile many times each day as I greet hope.
5. I will find a way to get HELP and support immediately from a trusted friend, pastor, support group or a professional therapist.
6. I will find a way to OVERCOME any OBSTACLES that come my way.
7. I will PRAY or MEDITATE, as it will help me to stay focused on solving my problems and will keep me mentally healthy and alert. My daily prayers will keep my faith strong.
Dealing With A Bad Day Without Spending Money
By Trent Hamm
http://savingscommunity.coolsavings.com/profiles/blogs/1184373:BlogPost:15779
In the “bad old days,” I used to respond to a bad day by spending money on something. The immediate perk of acquiring something new was usually enough to raise my spirits at least a little, and that little raise in spirit would be enough to help me finish off the day and rise for a new one.
What I came to find out is that this was just another sign of a spending addiction. I was not much different than an alcoholic, using spending to get through the bad days as well as the good.
The solution to this was simple. I started identifying little actions that improved my mood without spending money. Then, I simply would try one (or a small handful) of these actions at the end of a bad day and use those for my mood lifter, without the unnecessary need to spend.
Admittedly, these little actions vary a lot from person to person, but I found that the following worked well for me.
Going for a short jog I would do it just enough so that I would be sweating well and breathing heavy - no need to really push it. That amount of jogging gets my endorphins running, lifting my mood.
Playing with my children If I’ve had a bad day and I’m stressed out, few things improve the situation more than just setting things aside and devoting some uninterrupted time to my children. I’ll wrestle in the living room with my son, tossing him in the air and letting him leap on my back. I’ll hold my daughter and try to eke a smile or a giggle out of her. Or I’ll hold them both and read them a book, my daughter staring at the bright colors and my son trying to name everything on the page.
Looking at my “favorite pictures” I keep a folder of my favorite pictures on my laptop, mostly consisting of pictures of my children. If my children aren’t available to play with, I use this folder.
Eating something rich in soluble fiber, vitamin D, or folate My favorite of these is a small bowl of oatmeal, but canned salmon is very good, as are lentils. These are all natural mood lifters that exist in food - their effects are subtle, but they often amplify the other things I can be doing.
Meditating I like to go to the downstairs bedroom, before my wife or children have arrived home, and just sit on the bed and let everything fade away. I just sit there calmly, focus on my breathing, and try to avoid thinking about anything at all. Sometimes, I’ll slip into a state that’s something like sleep - whenever I do that, I almost always emerge in a better mood.
Talking to an old friend or a loved family member I have a small list of people who really elevate my mood almost every time I talk to them. Usually, when I’m down, I’ll carry on a conversation with one of them and everything begins to seem better.
One factor that elevates things over the long run is realizing I’m not spending the money. After several times of substituting spending money for one or two of these activities, there’s suddenly more money in my savings account and I suddenly feel a lot better about things.
3 Ways to Get Happy Without Spending Money
Author Unknown
http://storiedmoney.blogspot.com/2008/03/3-ways-to-get-happy-without-spending.html
Lately, as I've been scouring the Internet and reading self help books looking for ways to get happy without spending money, I remembered some advice I learned from my family very early. When I was a little girl, if my dad saw me spending too much time moping on the couch or watching TV, he would immediately require that I go do something "outdoor, physical, and/or social." Looking back, that's pretty good advice (although I would often get clucked at for sitting at the picnic table in the backyard playing solitaire or reading a book, which I insist to this day fit the requirements - and still sounds like a nice way to spend an afternoon).
My dad hit upon three of the best ways to fight the blues, and none of them costs a cent. Natural sunlight, physical activity and social interaction are all natural mood boosters and will help you to get happy for free. So, here are some strategies I'm going to try to enact over the next couple weeks to try to boost my mood without spending my savings:
Get out
Not only is sunlight a natural mood booster which will automatically make you get happier, fresh air and interaction with nature help you to leave your stress behind. With daylight savings time, we have an extra hour that we can spend out in this natural sunlight, so get outside! Go for a walk, on a nature trail or down the sidewalk. Play with your kids if you've got 'em. Toss a frisbee with your honey. Stretch out on the grass with a good book. As for me, I'm going to grab some coffee in a warmed ceramic mug, throw on a sweater, and sit in a camp chair on my balcony watching the sunset. It doesn't get much better than that.
Get moving
One of my favorite movie quotes, from Legally Blonde: "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't kill their husbands. They just don't."
I say this often enough that my own husband seems to be exceedingly willing to part with me when I want to make time to get on the treadmill and run. :)
Besides the endorphins, though, there are plenty of ways the exercising makes you get happy. It is a great way to relieve stress and to stop yourself from going over and over your worries in your mind. It gives you more energy, helping you to get through all the tasks of your day. It makes you sleep better, so you wake up feeling refreshed. Then, of course, it reshapes your body, making you feel leaner and stronger and often building up your confidence in other areas of your life.
It doesn't take any special equipment either. Put on some music and dance. Jog or march in place, or around your neighborhood. Touch your toes. Just get moving and soon you'll start to get happy.
Get together
I've read again and again that, especially for women, the best way to lift your mood and improve your health is to socialize on a regular basis. This is the hardest thing for me, as I tend naturally to be a bit of an introvert. While I do enjoy the intimate company of close friends, I tend not to initiate it. I'm sure I could come up with plenty of excuses for not calling friends - I'm too tired, I'm too busy, my house is a mess, I don’t want to spend money going out - but the truth is, I just need to do it. The only way out of feeling drained is to feed the spirit, and I know that some of my happiest times have been simple dish sessions with a girl friend over tea on weekday afternoons.
So, at least once a week, set up a time to meet with your friends or to make some new ones. It doesn't matter what you're doing: play Uno for hours at an outdoor cafe, take walks, have tea and cake or cocktails. What matters is that you take the time to nurture your relationships and yourself. You'll be happier before you know it.
http://storiedmoney.blogspot.com/2008/03/3-ways-to-get-happy-without-spending.html
10 Tips for Positive Thinking - Tips for a Happier and Healthier Frame of Mind
By Michael Lee
http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Tips-for-Positive-Thinking---Tips-for-a-Happier-and-Healthier-Frame-of-Mind&id=717352
If you’re down in the dumps for disproportionately long periods of time and you find yourself blaming the rest of the world for your misery, then perhaps a change of attitude is in order. These 10 tips for positive thinking may be able to give your outlook in life its much needed overhaul. So increase your chances for a more constructive perspective with these 10 tips for positive thinking:
1. Recognize negative thoughts as they take shape and bury them before they take root. If you feel your mood darkening again, put a stop to these dangerous musings before you succumb to them. Rule your emotions, don’t let your emotions rule you.
2. Hang out with people who think positive as well. This condition can be quite infectious.
3. Just as contagious is a negative mindset. So avoid people who tend to think negatively on a constant basis. After all, who wants to hang around naysayers all the time?
4. Work out and eat right. If you look good on the outside, it’ll be easier to feel good on the inside, too.
5. De-clutter. Surround yourself only with the things you love and that make you feel good—framed family photos, favorite books, potted plants, works of art, or whatever else that’s meaningful to you.
6. If people tell you you can’t do something, take that as a challenge and prove them wrong. Chances are, they themselves can’t do it or are too afraid to try and are simply bitter about it. If you show them it can be done after all, maybe they’ll even be inspired by your success. You can be a living tip for positive thinking to them.
7. Just when you’re about to blow your top for all the seeming misfortunes that befall you, remind yourself of all your blessings instead. This practice can be very sobering, indeed.
8. Be a volunteer or get involved in charity work. Not only will you realize the sheer number of people who have bigger problems than you do, but there is also such an emotional and even spiritual high to be experienced in helping others.
9. De-stress. You’re more likely to be cranky if you’re perpetually stressed out. So get away from it all and recharge.
10. Keep it up. Getting started is easy. It’s the maintenance that’s tricky. Make a habit out of thinking positively till it becomes an indelible part of who you are.
Follow these 10 tips for positive thinking and be successful in your search for a happier and healthier frame of mind.
Tips on How to Start Thinking Positively
http://blog.fruitfultime.com/2008/04/18/tips-on-how-to-start-thinking-positively/
Can you call yourself an optimistic person? Are you a positive thinker? Do you believe that you can shape your own future and command your happiness? You don’t have to be at the mercies of fate. Your success in life and your happiness starts with having a positive mindset. When you think positively, you become the master of your life. You own your dreams, actions, happiness, and ultimately, your success. When you are a positive thinker, it doesn’t mean that you deny the existence of misery, failures, or problems. You just have an optimistic outlook.
Who is a Positive Thinker?
When you are a positive thinker, you believe that you can overcome any crisis that life throws your way. People who tend to think positively accept their shortcomings but know how to channel their weaknesses to something positive. They do not let their weaknesses get the best of them. Instead, they make an effort to focus on their strengths. They also try to remedy their weaknesses. This attitude comes with a positive mindset. A positive thinker knows that if he lets despair and helplessness get the best of them, they will lose.
How to Start Thinking Positively
Once you start thinking positively, you start a habit. You then equip yourself with the capacity to become successful. How do you start thinking positively?
a. Decide to have a positive mindset. This means committing to a positive attitude, controlling negativity, and deciding to have a control on how you react to challenges and setbacks that life throws your way.
b. Surround yourself with positive people. Avoid those who exude negativity.
c. Focus on your strengths. How you perceive yourself consciously will affect your subconscious, and this will ultimately reflect in your actions.
d. Be open-minded. Do not allow yourself to be put in a box. If you do this, you limit and restrict possibilities.
e. Strengthen your knowledge and skills. When you acquire more and more knowledge, you become more confident. The more confident you are about your abilities, the more positive you are about your life.
f. Have long-term goals. When you have goals, you have direction. You do not allow yourself to be defeated easily by challenges and setbacks.
g. Do not limit yourself. Believe that you are capable of reaching immeasurable heights. Believe that you have capabilities that you do not even know you possess.
h. Have faith. Do not ever lose your faith in yourself.
i. Constantly motivate yourself.
j. Keep yourself healthy.
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
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
Scholarships
UMTC Financial Need and/or First Generation College Student Scholarship
Eligibility: Students must be University of Minnesota, Twin Cities degree- seeking undergraduate students. Participation on May or Summer 2009 Learning Abroad Center sponsored program is required. Applicants should demonstrate financial need and/or how their status as a first generation college student (whose parents or guardian did not complete a four-year degree) makes them a good candidate for this scholarship. Preference is given to students who fit the above criteria, describe their situation in a well-written essay free from grammatical errors, and are seeking experiences in a new culture.
If you are applying for the Twin Cities Financial Need and/or First Generation College Student Scholarship, please fill out the application form and submit it along with an essay of no more than 450 to 500 words (not to exceed 2 pages) that will be evaluated based on the following:
-Explanation of the impact of study abroad on personal goals
-Explanation of the impact of study abroad on academic goals
-Explanation of the impact of study abroad on long term goals
-Justification of selected LAC sponsored study abroad program in a convincing manner
-Preparation for the experience
Students applying for this particular scholarship must demonstrate financial need and/or be a first generation college student. Please expand on one or both of these topics to explain why it is important that you receive this particular scholarship to support your experience.
Information from your FAFSA may be considered in the review of your application. If you are applying on the basis of financial need, and have not yet completed the FAFSA for the 2008-2009 Academc year, it's not too late to apply. Instructions can be found at the FAFSA website.
Because of a limited number of Financial Need/First Generation College Student Scholarships, you are encouraged to apply separately for other Learning Abroad Center administered scholarships.
http://umabroad.umn.edu/financial/scholarships/firstGeneration.html
NPG Scholarship Contest
NPG, a national membership organization devoted to population issues, invites reasoned and clearly written discussion of the following:
Write a letter to your Congressional Representative explaining that the United States simply has TOO MANY PEOPLE. Ask him/her to work to reverse this problem by helping to create a U.S. Commission on Population Growth. Cite specific areas you feel the Commission should evaluate, and give examples of what can be done to achieve the goal of reducing U.S. population.
Your letter must be formatted as a formal letter to your hometown Congressional Representative. Formatting guidelines can be found on NPG’s website. To find your Congressional Representative’s contact information, please visit www.npg.org. At the completion of the Scholarship Contest, your letter may be forwarded to your Congressional Representative.
The NPG Scholarship Committee will select three (3) winning letters. Letters will be judged on quality of writing, originality, and evidence of critical thinking. All decisions are within the discretion of NPG scholarship judges and all decisions are final. All scholarships will be paid directly to the college or university to be applied to the account of the winner. Award amounts range from $500-$2,000.
Eligibility requirements:
- Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident.
- Applicant must be a senior in high school or a college freshman, sophomore or junior in an undergraduate program.
- Applicant must be attending a school within the United States, or operated overseas by the U.S. government.
- Applicant must write an original letter and MUST submit TWO COPIES of the same letter.
- The letter should be between 500 and 750 words, written in English, word-processed or typed double-spaced, one side only, in black ink on 8.5x11 inch white paper, and use Times Roman or Arial font size 12-14 points. E-mailed or faxed essays will not be accepted.
- Applicant must sign and date the enclosed application. Parent or Guardian signature is also required for applicants under 18.
For more information and application materials, please visit the website.
http://www.npg.org/2009scholarship.html Deadline: April 24, 2009
2009 TYLENOL Scholarship
As a company dedicated to helping people feel better, we’re proud to support the future of healthcare with our annual TYLENOL® Scholarship program. Now in its 17th year, the program helps students who are pursuing careers in the healthcare, life sciences, or related fields manage the rising costs of education. This year, we’ll be awarding $250,000 in scholarships based on leadership qualities and academic performance, including ten $10,000 and thirty $5,000 grants.
Additional scholarship details:
- Scholarships awarded to students pursuing healthcare-related education at an accredited institution.
- Ten students will be awarded $10,000 scholarships.
- Thirty students will receive $5,000 grants.
Applications must be received by May 15, 2009. Winners will be selected by July 15, 2009. Funds delivered by August 2009.
http://tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc Deadline: May 15, 2009
The Yum! Andy Pearson Scholarship Program
The Yum! Andy Pearson Scholarship Program, named in honor of the founding Chairman, was created to support growth and development through individual scholarships. The program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America.
Who Is Eligible?
• All active U.S.-based Yum! Company employees and its subsidiaries, (inc. KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silvers and A&W) with a minimum of 6 months of continuous employment with Yum! or its subsidiaries and an average of at least 15 hours worked per week over this 6-month period.
• High school seniors, HS graduates, students who have earned their GED or students currently enrolled in full-time study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, vocational-technical school or graduate school who have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent.)
• Legal dependents of eligible Yum! associates. Legal dependents include your legal spouse and unmarried children under the age of 19 (or under 25 if the child is a full-time student).
• Associates must remain employed by Yum! as of the date that the scholarship is paid.
How do I apply Online?
• Complete and submit your application at https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/yum
• Get your official transcript
• Mail your transcript no later than the May 15 deadline to:
Andy Pearson Scholarship Program
Scholarship America
One Scholarship Way
P.O. Box 297
Saint Peter, MN 56082
Scholarship recipients will be notified of awards in August. Checks will be mailed in late August from Scholarship America. Applications are considered confidential and are reviewed and evaluated by Scholarship America only. Only one dependent scholarship will be awarded per associate each year.
For guidelines and application, please visit:
https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/yum/ Deadline: May 15, 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.
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.
Up to 10 scholarship awards ranging from $500 to $5,000 will be awarded each year. Awards are non renewable. Awards are for undergraduate and graduate study. Awards are determined on a competitive basis. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as a recipient.
You will need to download and complete the official application and write an essay detailed in the application document. Email the completed application and essay to scholarship@spendonlife.com.
For more information and to download the application form, please visit:
http://students.spendonlife.com/ Deadline: June 15, 2009
Opportunities to Share
Student Parent Success Story
Featuring Amanda Delaney
Amanda, a senior graduating in May with a double major in psychology and sociology, has been accepted to law school for the Fall of 2009! While she was accepted to one of her top choices, she is waiting to hear back from the other schools before deciding where she will attend. Amanda has a five-year-old son named Ethan.
Congratulations, Amanda, on your achievement!!!
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
Crock Talk
Beginning Thursday, January 22, and continuing for 12 weeks, receive a Pioneer Press-tested-and-approved crock pot recipe delivered to your e-mail inbox. No grey glop here, these recipes will make you want to use your CrockPot more often. Now's the time to enjoy learning just how tasty Crock Pot cooking can be! Sponsored by the Pioneer Press, TwinCities.com and MinnMoms.com.
Sign up at http://www.twincities.com/ci_11460899?nclick_check=1
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. April’s event is “Land and Seas, Fields and Trees" where families will have the opportunity to step into 19th century America! Watch dances inspired by the American landscape and try your hand at creating the misty effects of landscape painting in a hands-on art studio. Plus, explore the special exhibition “Noble Dreams & Simple Pleasures: American Masterworks from Minnesota Collections" on view in the Target Gallery. This event is free and takes place on Sunday, April 19th 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
Easy Crockpot Lasagna
Makes: 6 servings
Ingredients
-1 onion, diced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 jar (about 26 ounces) of marinara sauce
-Salt and pepper to taste
-1 pound whole-milk ricotta
-1/4 cup milk
-1 egg
-1 pound shredded mozzarella
-1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
-8 ounces no-boil lasagna noodles
Directions
1. Spray Crockpot with cooking spray or grease with vegetable shortening.
2. In large pan, sauté onion and garlic. Add marinara sauce. Stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine ricotta, milk and egg. Mix until smooth. Add mozzarella and parmesan. Mix until combined.
4. Spread 2 tablespoons sauce in bottom of Crockpot. Arrange 3 noodles on top of sauce (break them if necessary). Spread 1/3 cup cheese mixture on top of noodles. Top with 1/4 cup sauce. Add another layer of noodles. Repeat layering (2 or 3 more layers of sauce, noodles and cheese, depending on size of Crockpot). Top with sauce. Cover.
5. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until noodles are tender.
Stay-Young Smoothie
Makes: One 14-ounce smoothie
Ingredients
-1/2 cup frozen blueberries
-1/2 cup frozen strawberries
-1/2 cup chilled green tea, unsweetened
-3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
-2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (optional)
-Turbinado sugar or other natural sweetener to taste
Directions
-Combine all ingredients in an electric blender and blend on medium speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Garnish with fresh berries and serve. Note: For a nondairy alternative, you can substitute cultured soy for the yogurt.
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:
4Kids.org
At www.4Kids.org, our vision is to promote reading and intellectual interests by providing children and parents a variety of high-quality Web sites that demonstrate learning can be a safe, fun and adventurous activity.www.4Kids.org offers adults a reliable way to guide children toward high-quality sites without discouraging their natural curiosity and exploration. We also encourage children to communicate with us about future publications, and the popular “Ask Amy” column responds to questions submitted about technology and the Internet.
Visit http://www.4kids.org/
Featured Books
*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Help Center
- The Fussy Baby Book: Parenting Your High-Need Child From Birth to Age Five by William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N.
- Soothing Your Child's Pain: From Teething and Tummy Aches to Acute Illnesses and Injuries- How to Understand the Causes and Ease the Hurt by Kenneth Gorfinkle, Ph.D.
- Strengthening Your Stepfamily by Elizabeth Einstein and Linda Albert
- The Lesbian and Gay Parenting Handbook: Creating and Raising Our Families by April Martin, Ph.D.
- Best Jobs for the 21st Century for College Graduates by J. Michael Farr and LaVerne L. Ludden, Ed.D.
- Toilet Learning: The Picture Book Technique for Children and Parents by Alison Mack
- Potty Time With Elmo by Kelli Kaufmann
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.