Newsletter for November 16, 2006
HELP Center Announcements
Save the Dates: Wednesdays 12:00 – 2:00
Student Parent HELP Center Group Updates:
The Student Parent HELP Center Parent Group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12-2 in Room 24, Appleby Hall. We provide a nice lunch for FREE for those folks who attend for the majority of the session.
The weekly discussions are based on the input we receive from student parents throughout the course of the semester. Each week, we will try to provide as much information and sharing as possible among student parents, as we feel you are the experts on your experiences as parents. The input you receive from group can be used, or not used, based on your discretion; some tips will always work better for some than others. We love to have you share and we look forward to hearing from you throughout the semester!
Although we always have time for sharing each week, there are some times that we bring in outside speakers or guests to provide specific information on topics you are interested in. We want you to come as much as possible every week, but please also SAVE THE DATES for the upcoming outside speakers:
Wednesday, November 8, 1-2: Stacey Bostwick, from the Powderhorn Residents Group, and Jeff Washburn, from the City of Lakes Land Trust, will be coming to talk about home buying options and home buying counseling opportunities for those interested in buying their first home or are just curious about what to do in order to prepare for home buying in the future.
***Wednesday, November 29, 1-2: Linda Aaker, from the University of Minnesota, Legal Services, will be coming to provide updated information about the significant changes that will occur in 2007 in regard to child support laws in the state of Minnesota.
Wednesday, December 13, 12-2: Stress Free Day! Massage therapists from Centerpoint School of Massage will be coming in to offer special massage treats to keep you relaxed through finals --- a small reward for getting through the semester!
Any suggestions or questions, please ask Jerri Wagner or Melissa Schmidt.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 website under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address. 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 website to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
Also, the Student Parent HELP Center, along with SPA, is planning another Student Parent Visibility Day. We will need volunteers, from a variety of academic majors, to share your experience with teen parents visiting the U of M from three different teen parenting programs in the metro area. Mark your calendars for May 1, 2007, from 11:00 – 1:00, outside of Morrill Hall. If you are interested please let us know, there will be free food!!!
Student Parent Success Stories:
We would like to begin 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 new 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.
Congratulations to July Vang who gave birth to her second child, a girl named Ntsab Iab Yang on October 11, 2006!
Parenting Information
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/index.html
Energy Assistance
Unfortunately, the cold is coming! Many Minnesotans will see significant increases in their energy bills, beyond the ability of some to pay. The Energy Assistance Program provides grants for individuals in need. Please visit the link below for more information:
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay home heating costs. Households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs receive the greatest benefit.
- Households who are at or below 50 percent of the state median income are eligible
- Size of grant is based on household size, income, fuel type and energy usage
- Households with the lowest income and highest fuel costs receive the highest grants
- Federally funded through U.S. Department of Human Services
- Funds are available for renters or homeowners
Services include:
- Provide direct payment to the energy supplier
- Educate consumers to use home heating energy efficiently and safely
- Advocate with energy suppliers and human service providers on behalf of consumers
- Crisis help for utility disconnections or necessary fuel deliveries
- Emergency heating system repair or replacement
The Bell Museum of Natural History
The Bell Museum of Natural History 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.
MN Science Museum
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
Exhibits + Body World Exhibit: $3.00
Exhibits + Body World Exhibit + Omni Theater: $3.00
Please contact the museum with any further questions:
651.221.9444, www.smm.org
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 9:30-7:00, Thursday-Saturday
Also, Museum Adventure Passes are now available for check-out at over 100 metro public library branches. The pass allows you to visit a number of local museums and attractions, including the MN Zoo for free!
http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/museumpasses.asp
Grants Update
The lists for both the CCAMPIS Grant and the Post Secondary Child Care Grant CCAMPIS 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:
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/index.jsp
This website is just for fun…no scientific data have been collected to determine its validity. Have some fun checking it out!
Winter Break Reading:
With the end of the semester quickly approaching, it is okay to daydream about reading for pleasure instead of for school. Here are a few suggestions to help you start thinking about things you would like to do for fun over winter break! We challenge you to make a list with your children, so you can take advantage of your well deserved time off! It’s never too early to start planning.
For You:
Top 5 at a Glance
1. LISEY’S STORY, by Stephen King
2. FOR ONE MORE DAY, by Mitch Albom
3. THE COLLECTORS, by David Baldacci
4. ACT OF TREASON, by Vince Flynn
5. ECHO PARK, by Michael Connelly
For Your Kids:
Top 5 at a Glance
1. OUR 50 STATES, by Lynne Cheney
2. MOMMY?, by Maurice Sendak
3. IS THERE REALLY A HUMAN RACE?, by Jamie Lee Curtis
4. NOELLE’S TREASURE TALE, by Gloria Estefan
5. VIOLET COMES TO STAY, by Jan Karon
Based on New York Times Best-Seller Lists 11/6/06, for more ideas visit: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/index.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=116 2853007-BlSMCbON5f67N32AVfQJyw
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 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. 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. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Wagner, Melissa Schmidt, Ali Cain, or Zer Xiong. I am entering my 7th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from 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. We are experiencing a bit of a crisis on the private child care funding side and I really need to devote most of my attention this year to finding more child care assistance and emergency grant funding in order to keep up with demand. Have no fear; you will continue to hear my raucous laughter echoing through the SPHC!
Jerri Wagner, MSW, LGSW
I am the new 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!
Melissa Schmidt
Hello, I am one of two social work interns at the HELP Center this year. I am in the Masters of Social Work program here at the University and am really excited to be involved in the HELP Center this year. Along with graduate school, I am also an employee at The Aurora Center here on campus. I have one son, Aiden, who was born 10/5/05. I am excited to celebrate his first birthday next month!
Ali Cain
I am pleased to be completing an internship at the Student Parent HELP Center. I am in my last year of the Masters of Social Work program at the U of M, where I also completed my undergraduate degree in Family Social Science. I have worked at a large family homeless shelter for the past five years. I am looking forward to an exciting year, working on campus alongside a great staff and motivated student parents!
Zer Xiong
Hi! It is my pleasure to be the undergraduate teaching assistant (UGTA) for the Student Parent Help Center. I am also a student parent myself. I have a son who was born on 11/27/06. Currently, I am pursuing a bachelor of arts in the Inter-College Program in the following three areas: Sociology, Family Social Science, and Public Health. Feel free to ask me any questions if you need help in the Student Parent Help Center.
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Ali Cain at sphc@umn.edu.