December Newsletter | 2019

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View this email in your browser Southeast Community Organization December 2019 Eastview | Conway | Battle Creek | Highwood Hills Your Support Helps Build Community District 1 had a successful Give to the Max month in November. Thank you to the generous supporters who helped strengthen our organization.   But, it's not too last for others. At this end of the year giving time, and we ask you to consider a financial contribution to District 1/Southeast Community Organization. Every day our two staff juggle activities ranging from transportation discussions to addressing environmental concerns, and coordinating youth organizers to responding to dozens of resident emails, phone calls and visits. Our work covers a huge range of issues, and we manage it on a lean budget. When you donate to District 1, your money supports this essential work and our community. Please donate by mailing a check directly to our office, 2105 1/2 Old Hudson Rd, St. Paul, MN  55119 or by contributing via GiveMN.   Images:  Eastside Drop-off Day. Metro Transit meeting, D1 Youth Organizers Transportation Open House & Discussion Join us for our next community meeting regarding public transportation needs in our neighborhoods. What type of service improvements should Metro Transit prioritize? Where are there gaps in our network?   What would help you to ride more often? Also - learn about upcoming changes to Route 63, which runs along McKnight Road. Thursday, December 5, 6:30-8:00 pm             Highwood Hills Recreation Center Attendees qualify to receive a free round-trip Metro Transit pass! Refreshments provided. Vote on Artists for the 2020 Highwood Performance Series We had a fabulous Series in 2019, and are writing a grant (requesting funds) to host the event again in 2020. Please take our poll to share your preferences for artists for next summer! We will be inviting the Somali Dance Troupe and Bollywood Dancers back, and are seeking 2-3 other artists as well. Please click on this link to review choices and to vote. The survey will only be open until December 10 because the grant is due the next week. Join the District 1 Board of Directors D1 has an opening for a board member position that runs through March of 2021.   Board membersr help decide on organizational projects, monitor the budget and participate in programs and activities. Members can be age 16 and up. We welcome residents and business owners or employees who reside or work in our community. There is a priority for Conway and Eastview neighborhoods because we need more representation from these areas, but all are welcome to apply! Applications will be reviewed and approved by the current board of directors. More positions will also be available for our March elections, and these roles will run through 2022. Got questions? Contact us to meet or talk!   Follow this link to complete the online application.  District 1 Youth Organizers The twelve D1 Youth Organizers presented on their project at our November 25 board meeting. Youth selected the issue of sex and human trafficking. During the project, they had to propose issues, come to consensus on a topic, and figure out what and how to share information with the public. They hosted a presentation by local organization Breaking Free at Battle Creek Middle School on November 20, and many students attended. Minneapolis is one of the top locations in the U.S. for child sex trafficking. A national study found that being homeless for longer than 30 days was the single biggest factor for teens to become sexually exploited. In Minnesota, 40% of cases involve minors. We ask community to read about Breaking Free and their work, and to discuss risk factors with friends and families. Our next cohort of Youth Organizers will begin in January. Interested youth should contact our office.   Shamrock Plaza Reopens! After a couple months of closure due to water issues, Shamrock Plaza on McKnight Road is now open. Please support our local businesses!     New Logo & Look We will be launching the new logo of Southeast Community Organization in 2020. We  continue to work the designer to refine the look and color scheme. Southeastside.org is our new URL/Website address and we will slowly be incorporating this new information over the next few months. Gold Line Advisory Committee The Community and Business Advisory Committee is comprised of residents and businesses along the Gold Line who advise the Metropolitan Council on how stations can best serve the neighborhoods and businesses where they are located. The committee also provides the community perspective on the overall project design. CBAC members are selected through an application process.   There are openings for folks who live and/or work in the District 1 area approximately half a mile from our proposed station locations (see below stations and Gold Line route map here). There is also an opening for an at-large Ramsey County resident or business representative. Hazel Street Resident Hazel Street Business Sun Ray Resident At-large Ramsey County They are planning to hold quarterly meetings with potential for additional neighborhood-specific opportunities as well, starting in February of next year. Interested parties can apply by completing an online form or downloading an application form on the project website. Applications, requests for mailed paper copies and any questions can be directed to the contact below. Liz Jones, Community Outreach Coordinator METRO Gold Line BRT project, 121-7th Place East, Suite 102, St. Paul, MN 55101 The Met Council is Seeking Committee Members   Metro area residents who want to help shape regional policy and services are invited to apply for advisory committees to the Metropolitan Council. The Council relies on these committees to help develop solutions that best serve the entire region. The Council seeks diverse perspectives — across geography, income, age, race and ethnicity, ability and life experiences — to inform our policy-making and operations.  These are volunteer positions, but members are reimbursed for expenses related to their service, such as parking. The D1 area is in Met Council District G. Community Survey As part of the District 1 grant funds we have regarding Boys Totem Town, we have three goals to accomplish:   1. Develop community leadership 2. Build community 3. Capture community ideas and themes regarding the potential future use of the Boys Totem Town land. Please follow this link to complete a survey that helps us gain a better sense of community needs in D1. This closes at the end of December. Committee Updates Land Use Committee We met with a potential developer regarding a proposed laundromat for the vacant plot on Suburban Avenue. The proposed farmer's market is hoping to take place next year, but is having challenges finding a location. Information will be shared as it comes available. Communications Committee We are refining the new logo and color scheme. The website will be updated in early 2020. Upcoming Meetings and Events (See the Calendar on our web site for more info) Land Use Committee: Dec 2 & Jan 6, 6:00-7:30 pm (D1 Ofc) Communications Committee: Dec 9 & Jan 13 , 6:00-7:30 pm  (D1 Ofc) No Board Meeting in December Metro Transit Meeting, Dec 5, 6:30-8:30 pm Battle Creek R Board Meeting, Jan 27 , 6:30-8:30, Battle Creek Rec Save the Dates! Annual Meetings and Elections Saturday, Mar 21, 10:00 am-1:00 pm Monday, Mar 23, 5:00-8:00 pm   Submit ideas and events by the 20th of each month to [email protected].