Children First BBQ on August 19

Posted on Aug 3, 2010 by admin

Enjoy the fleeting days of summer during the first-ever Children First bar-b-que on Thursday, August 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1p.m. at Oak Hill Park. This will be a great chance to connect with Asset Champions before the frenzy of the new school year begins. We will light up the grill and serve hot dogs, snacks and cold beverages. All Asset Champions and friends of Children First are invited.


This is an informal event. Take a break from your day and stop by for as long as you can. It is also a weather dependent event that will be cancelled if the weather does not cooperate. Park in the lot at 33rd and Rhode Island. If planning to attend, please email Karen. Also, those interested can participate in Asset Champion Training on September 23, 3-5:30 p.m. at St. Louis Park Schools District Office. Email Karen to make a reservation.
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St. Louis Park working on connections with teens

Posted on Aug 3, 2010 by admin

A new report, Teen Voice, by Search Institute found that four of five teens surveyed had no meaningful relationships with adults beyond their immediate families. As Children First Asset Champions know, adult role models is one key to keeping young people on track to healthy development.
A recent StarTribune article provided an overview of the report and cited examples of how the residents are connecting with teens in St. Louis Park and other communities. The Teen Voice report can be viewed at Search Institute’s website.
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School supplies at STEP

Posted on Aug 3, 2010 by admin

Donations of School Supplies and funds are needed to help serve the nearly 700 St. Louis Park students who are estimated to use the St. Louis Park Emergency Program’s (STEP) Back to School Program. A contribution of $40 will sponsor one student with grade appropriate school supplies, including a backpack. Critically needed school supplies are:

  • Backpacks for all ages (no wheels)
  • 1” 3-ring Binders
  • Zippered 3-ring Binders
  • Large Scissors
  • Erasable Black Ink Pens
  • Blue (only) Ballpoint Pens
  • Crayola Washable Markers, 8ct
  • Zippered Pencil Pouches
  • Crayola Colored Pencils
  • 12 ct 5-tab Binder Dividers
  • Purple (only) College-Ruled Notebooks
  • Folders WITHOUT fasteners

Donations can be dropped off at STEP at 6812 W. Lake St. in St. Louis Park during regular business hours by August 16. For more information, visit STEP’s website.

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Volunteers needed for first day of school

Posted on Aug 3, 2010 by admin

It is hard to believe it is almost that time again, but school is soon to be back in session, and the Day One student committee has been hard at work planning another great “Welcome Back” celebration at St. Louis Park High School. Now they need your help! Volunteer during either of the two following times, both on September 1st, the first day of school.

  • 7:45-8:10–Greet students as they get off the bus and enter the school. This is a very minimal time commitment and can be done on the way to work.
  • 11:40-1:30–assist with lunch time. This slightly longer time commitment could entail any number of things,such as assisting with handing out lunch, collecting garbage and restocking food. Lunch usually occurs outside, and it can be HOT, so volunteers should dress accordingly.

These are two great ways to show kids that you care about them! If interested in volunteering, please email advisers Nina or Gina at dayone.slp@gmail.com

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Minnesotans, and those in the Park, volunteer

Posted on Aug 3, 2010 by admin

Despite difficult economic times, the number of Americans volunteering in their communities jumped by 1.6 million last year, the largest increase in six years, a new report from the Corporation for National and Community Service finds. The report, Volunteering in America, has data compiled on volunteer trends in all 50 states. Minnesota ranked third in volunteer participation (37.5%) after Utah and Iowa.


St. Louis Park’s City/School Volunteer Office reports that 1,785 people volunteered for various programs with their time totaling 16,928 hours which
is a monetary value of $354,075. These numbers account for volunteers placed in both city and public school programs. Volunteers are all ages and participate in a wide variety of activities.


Some ways volunteers helped in the community this past year include:
  • Adopt a park/garden: 103 volunteers adopted 40 parks and trail areas and 27 gardens totaling 795 hours.
  • Pick up the Park: 799 volunteers collected 130 bags of trash.
  • Halloween Party at the nature center: 136 volunteers helped with set up and party activities totaling 824 hours.
  • Math program helpers in 2-12 grade classes: 24 volunteers helped 494 students totaling more than 560 hours.
  • Art appreciation volunteers taught lessons to kindergarten through sixth graders: 49 volunteers teach 1,725 students totaling 1,035 hours.
Opportunities are available for all ages of volunteers. If interested in learning about these or other volunteer opportunities email Sarah.
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Minnesota #2 in Kids Count survey

Posted on Aug 3, 2010 by admin

For 21 years, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has published an annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, compiling the best data available on children and families in our nation and ranking every state on the well-being of its kids. This year Minnesota ranked second, behind New Hampshire. The study reflects a wide range of factors affecting the well-being of children, such as health, adequacy of income and educational attainment. This year’s KIDS COUNT Data Book found that the 2008 child poverty rate topped 18 percent, which means the number of children living in poverty grew by a million between 2000 and 2008. (The Minnesota rate is 11 percent.)

Download the full report here.
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Welcome 2010 co-chairs!

Posted on Jun 22, 2010 by admin

Dr. Debra Bowers, St. Louis Park Schools superintendent, will join Kelsey Reid as co-chair of Children First beginning July 1st. Dr. Bowers fills the slot held by Police Chief John Luse, who served as co-chair for two years, first with student Michael Jacobs and this past year with Kelsey. Kelsey, who will be a senior this coming school year, will continue in her role.

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Children First featured at West End event

Posted on Jun 22, 2010 by admin

Stop by the West End on Tuesday, July 13, 5-8 p.m. for Kool Kids Health & Safety Fun Night. Festivities include music by KOOL 108, food samples from area restaurants and free Kemps ice cream, emergency vehicles, a bouncy castle, costumed characters and a West End passport scavenger hunt. Cold beverage sales and $2 raffle tickets for prizes from the West End will benefit Children First. (Enlarge the flier on the right by clicking on it.)

Volunteers are needed to help Children First at the event to sell raffle tickets and water which is being donated by Costco. If interested email Karen.
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