October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Though we all care about the families we serve and their safety, domestic violence can be difficult to talk about, especially if we are worried about saying the wrong thing and aren't aware of how we can help. According to statistics for 2018, twenty people per minute are abused by an intimate partner in the United States and more than 15 million children live in homes in which domestic violence has happened at least once. This is a staggering number and we all have an opportunity to support those experiencing domestic violence in accessing help by educating ourselves on this important topic. Please take a moment to read about some of the local domestic violence programs that support families in our community.
As always, please feel free to contact me with suggestions or other content you would like included in future e-newsletters.
Thank you,
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Reta Johnson
Community Resources Specialist
Eden Prairie Schools
Phone #952-975-7030
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PARENTS OF EDEN PRAIRIE (PEP) PARENTING GROUP: 10.22.18
Have you ever wondered if you’re the only family who’s struggling with effective parenting strategies? Do you want to parent in ways that feel more loving and peaceful to you and your child? Well, you’re not alone and PEP is for you! PEP, which is designed for parents of children ages 3 - 16, is facilitated by Paula Arthur, School Psychologist, Certified Parent Coach, and parent. As an informal discussion group, PEP includes opportunities for participants to share and discuss current parenting challenges as well as to ask questions. It also serves as on-going support for whatever you’re working on as a parent. This group will meet on a monthly basis and you are welcome to join at any time. Registration is by each individual session, but you are encouraged to sign up for multiple or all
PEP sessions
to receive the most benefit.
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TREEWHAT?: 10.25.18
Join TreeHouse for a special TreeWhat event. On October 25th at 6:30 PM, come to Tavern 4&5 in Eden Prairie where you'll enjoy delicious hand-crafted appetizers, conversation, and a brief program that highlights how TreeHouse is bringing hope and life transformation to Eden Prairie teens. TreeHouse is an organization specifically designed to meet the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual needs of teens. TreeHouse brings living hope to hurting youth that may be experiencing such things as anxiety, depression, behavioral issues and suicidal thoughts. From individual time with a staff member, to small group time, to large group activities, teens are able to find a place where they belong at TreeHouse. This event is free, but space is limited so please
RSVP to
TreeWhat
?
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FARE FOR ALL HOLIDAY FOOD PACKS: 10.30.18
Fare For All, a local non-profit food program created to make frozen meat and fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable and accessible to families, will sell holiday food packs for $30 at Pax Christi Church on Tuesday, October 30th from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Pax Christi Church is located at 12100 Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie. This program has no income requirements and is open to everyone.
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MYHEALTH CHILDREN'S DENTAL CLINIC: 10.31.18
A low cost dental care clinic will be offered at 15 8th Avenue South in Hopkins on October 31st this year. This clinic provides services for children from birth to age 26 years old and pregnant women. Services that are available are exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, oral health education, fillings, crowns and extractions. Children's Dental accepts all forms of insurance and offers reduced cost care under an income based sliding fee scale. To set up an appointment, call 612-746-1530 and ask to have your appointment at the myHealth for teens and young adults location.
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COFFEE WITH THE COPS: 11.3.18
Enjoy coffee, tea, cookies and conversation with others in the community. This free event takes place at the Eden Prairie Community Center on November 3rd from 9:30 AM to 11 AM and brings together police officers (not in uniform) and the community members they serve to discuss issues, learn more about each other, and build relationships. Registration for
Coffee with the Cops
is encouraged and child care is available at the community center for $4/hour/child.
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GROWING UP! PARENTS AND DAUGHTERS CONNECTING: 11.3.18
Growing up can be exciting, exhilarating, confusing and scary – all at the same time! Join health educators from myHealth for Teens & Young Adults for a fun and informative three hour workshop that will take some of the mystery out of puberty and the questions out of adolescence. Prepare to laugh, create, question, learn and grow – TOGETHER! Girls ages 9-12 and their parent, or other trusted adult, will engage in fun and thought-provoking activities that help them learn about puberty and development in males and females, what is normal (and great!) about growing up, how to have the best parent-child communication possible, and how to maintain or strengthen family bonds. To enroll, visit
Growing Up!
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PANERA FUNDRAISER FOR EP EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL: 11.7.18
The most common question in any household is what's for dinner?
Print off this
Panera flyer
or show an electronic version to the cashier at the Eden Prairie Panera on Wednesday, November 7th from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Eden Prairie Early Childhood Advisory Council.
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NAVIGATING THE WATERS 2018: 11.8.18
Join local service providers and others working with families in need on Thursday, November 8th from 9:00 am – noon at St. Andrew Lutheran Church to hear presentations on conflict resolution and mediation,
how to support clients with tips and tricks in applying for cash, food support, childcare, emergency assistance, health care, and learn how backgrounds and culture matter in our work in designing helping programs. This event, which is free and open to the public, is a collaboration between
the City of Eden Prairie Office of Housing and Community Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Conflict Resolution Center, Community Action Partnership- Hennepin County, and Hennepin South Services Collaborative.
CEUS ARE AVAILABLE.
Register here on the
Navigating the Waters event website.
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VOLUMES & VINES: 11.8.18
Join friends of the Hennepin County Library-Eden Prairie for the annual
Volumes & Vines fundraiser
at the beautiful Olympic Hills Golf Club. At this event, you will be able to sample more then 1000 select wines, ciders and craft beers, savor delectable hors d'oeuvres, bid on fantastic auction items, and get a glimpse of the beautifully remodeled clubhouse. This event also has a VIP option that includes an exclusive paired-tasting experience with Olympic Hills Golf Club executive chef and a meet & greet with select brewers and winemakers.
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PROPERLY POISED FASHION SHOW: 11.9.18
Join PROP for an evening of fashion, fun and fundraising to support Eden Prairie's only local food shelf. Fashions from Anthropology, Primp, Roe Wolfe, Free People and Dugo will be featured. This year there will be models of all ages including local firefighters from the city of Chanhassen. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 7:00 pm followed by the fashion show at 8:00 pm. General admission is $40, Seniors $35 and students are $20. To purchase tickets or make a donation to PROP, visit
PROPerly Poised Fashion Show.
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CORNERSTONE
Cornerstone’s ultimate goal is to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking. With its shelter and main office located in Bloomington, Cornerstone serves adults and children, including those from Eden Prairie, through a wide variety of programs including the statewide Day One Crisis Line and Local Crisis Line, support groups and therapy, housing and legal advocacy, school-based prevention program and more. Learn about this multi-service organization at
www.cornerstonemn.org
.
Read tips for helping others when you suspect abuse on their
How to Support Someone
page
.
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SEWA-AIFW’S CULTURALLY SPECIFIC WOMEN’S PROGRAMS
SEWA-Asian Indian Family Wellness offers culturally specific assistance through their Women’s Programs, including a 24/7 crisis line, assistance for those experiencing domestic violence, and support through economic empowerment. Learn more by visiting
SEWA-AIFW's website
.
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ISUROON
Isuroon is a multi-service organization that serves Somali women and girls. Through group meetings and face-to-face counseling, conference calls and carefully designed teaching sessions, Isuroon offers culturally appropriate education on health issues including domestic and sexual violence and also provides case management, advocacy, and legal assistance. Learn more at
www.isuroon.org
.
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BRIGHTER DAYS GRIEF CENTER
Located at 8925 Aztec Drive in Eden Prairie, Brighter Days Grief Center is a newly established nonprofit organization serving individuals anticipating or enduring the death of a family member. Brighter Days is a community of families turned into volunteers and staff bound together by their own experiences of losing loved ones. For children of any age who has lost a loved one, Brighter Days provides summer and after-school activities, free tutoring, and peer-based events that provide connections to others going through a loss. There is also a Brighter Days Grief Center Scholarship for Eden Prairie High School students whom have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. For adults, the program offers financial assistance, grocery cards, pre-made meals and free consultations with insurance agents, real estate attorneys and financial advisors. For families, the program focuses on overall psycho-social wellness and provides such access to local fitness and community centers, self-care classes, weekend retreats, mental health resources and family activities. Overall, Brighter Days hopes to lessen the devastating impact that grief can have on a family by providing a compassionate space for people to gather with access to crucial programs and services and work with families and communities to move forward rather than apart. To learn more about this amazing program or to make a donation which goes towards such things as helping families with gas cards, paying bills, or the program's scholarship fund, please see the
Brighter Days Grief Center webpage.
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AFFORDABLE INTERNET ESSENTIALS PROGRAM
Internet Essentials
gives families access to affordable high-speed internet through Comcast. Families may qualify if they have at least one child who is eligible for the National School Lunch Program, receive HUD housing assistance, or are a low-income veteran who receives state and/or federal assistance.
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FUNDS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO HELP PAY HEATING COSTS
The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP) has money at this time to help pay home heating costs. Grants range from $200 to $1400 depending on family size, income, and energy costs, with an average of about $545. Households whose energy services have been disconnected may be eligible for help to get reconnected or prevent disconnection. Even if you received a grant earlier, you may get more help. EAP serves both renters and homeowners. If you rent, you may be eligible if you pay for heat directly to an energy vendor or indirectly to a landlord. If you own your home, you may also get help repairing or replacing a furnace. Eligibility is based on the past three months of income. For help, visit
CAP-HC Energy Assistance Program.
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PROP SHOP HOLIDAY GIFT PROGRAM
PROP's Holiday Gift Program
brings joy to children and seniors in our community during an especially tough time of year for families. Holiday gift registration will begin October 29th and last through November 2nd. Families are eligible if they are a resident of Eden Prairie or Chanhassen and have children birth through age 18 living at their home or a senior citizen age 59 or older. Families need to be registered as PROP clients, but are allowed to register as clients during this time if they are new to the area or in need. Holiday sponsorship begins Nov 1st or you can donate now on
PROP's webpage.
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THE PROP SHOP IN NEED OF WINTER GEAR
The PROP Shop is in need of winter coats, boots, snow pants, mittens and gloves for all ages. The PROP Shop is especially low on children's coats size 5-8 and men's coats. The PROP Shop is a nonprofit resale store that sells new and gently used items to everyone in the community and also offers a separate Family Service Center which provides clothing, household goods, or furniture to families in need in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen. The PROP Shop is located at 15195 Martin Drive in Eden Prairie.
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FOOD DONATIONS NEEDED
Eden Prairie's local food shelf, PROP, is in need of food donations. This month PROP is especially low and in need of boxed rice mixes, bottled juice, paper towels, Kleenex, boxed potato mixes, canned fruit, canned tuna, tomato soup and jelly or jam. PROP is located at 14700 Martin Drive in Eden Prairie and is open Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-1:00 PM and Wednesday from 4:00-6:30 PM.
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2018 SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Nowadays, school supplies can be expensive. The cost to purchase a pre-packed set of supplies ranges from $34-$98 and that doesn't cover new gym shoes and clothing that children usually need each year. Special thanks to PROP, The Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools, Grace Church, Eden Prairie Schools Community Education, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and many other local businesses and donors for making this year's school supply drive possible. Eden Prairie Schools were able to help a total of 577 students with all of their back to school supplies. There were also amazing volunteers that helped organize, distribute, and even count things like the 14,368 pencils that were given out. After supplies were distributed to students, over 35 teachers and staff members were also able to access free supplies for their classrooms and students.
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e-Newsletter Archives: www.edenpr.org/Page/2534
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