Dakota Woodlands began assisting families on November 25, 1981. It was originally located in West St. Paul, and moved to Eagan in June of 1995. Dakota County interviews the women before they can live at Dakota Woodlands. Although men typically do not reside at this location, sometimes they live at Dakota Woodlands with their wife and family (if they have children).
Once a woman resides at Dakota Woodlands, she is given a room that has been decorated with matching linens, drapes, rugs, a rocking chair and a TV. There are different size rooms at Dakota Woodlands, some people have bigger families and receive a bigger room. The resident will share a bathroom with an adjoining room, similar to a dormitory.
Dakota Woodlands offers its residents a computer room, which is open 24hrs per day, child care (open Mon-Fri, 9am - 8pm), a playroom, lounges to visit with guests, a commercial grade stove and oven, barbeque grills, a playground, bikes and picnic tables.
Residents take turns cooking and cleaning, unless there are volunteers. Residents have a punch card in which they get "punches" for all the tasks they've completed. Once their card is full, they can turn their card or cards in for items to buy.
While at this location, they learn how to be a responsible renter, take healthy cooking classes, and learn techniques for stress management.
The average woman's stay is 61 days, however, there is no deadline. Dakota Woodlands offers lots of services to its residents, including tutoring for those women working on getting their GED. Dakota Woodlands pays for their GED, as well.
Child residents can also receive tutoring four days a week. The families decide if it is something they want their child participating in. Children receive "punches" on their punch card too for the homework help/tutoring.
Dakota Woodlands can house up to 22 families at a time, and it has about 110 families total each year. Most families move on to permanent living once they've left Dakota Woodlands. Once a woman has left, Dakota Woodlands staff members follow up with them. The women have a support network for up to two years.
Volunteers have several different areas inside Dakota Woodlands that they can work in. There is a room inside Dakota Woodlands stocked with donated clothes, coats, mittens, shoes, etc. Or a volunteer may feel more comfortable working with children for the day. Whichever it is, Dakota Woodlands Volunteer Coordinator, Patty, would love to help you decide what would be the best fit for you!
For more information on volunteering call 651-456-9110 or e-mail [email protected] .
The Vasatka-Goers WWII VFW Post #6690 was founded in April of 1946, and was named after the first soldier and airman from the area who lost their lives in World War II. The post's 312 members have served in a variety of overseas conflicts, including World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. The bar and activity room are open to members and their guests. The banquet rooms are available for rent, and buzz with activity during the Post's many events, including holiday parties, taco nights and fish frys. The American Legion, AMVETS and the Mendota City Council also hold their meetings at the VFW building. The post sponsors annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen scholarship contests for local students.
With more than 300 branches and more than 12,000 mentors providing guidance and support across the country, SCORE is a major national partner in helping businesses and communities grow stronger together. It provides local in-person and online workshops and mentoring services for business owners. Some of the topics its mentors specialize in include finance and accounting, marketing and public relations and information technology In addition, its website has extensive tools and templates for small business owners at every stage of development. To find a mentor or workshop near you, visit the SCORE website.
SCORE and Patch are officially working together to make sure communities thrive. To find out how, reach out to this local chapter or contact your local editor.
Cradle of Hope is a nonprofit community organization that provides pregnant women and mothers of babies under three months old with financial assistance and grants. Call the office to set up a consultation to seek out eligibility for the motherhood funds. Recipients must live in the state of Minnesota. Visit the website for donation information.
The Woodbury Animal Humane Society is located just off Woodbury Drive on Hudson Road. People can adopt dogs and cats as well as small mammals such as rabbits and rats. Birds are also available for adoption. The building was also an animal shelter before the Humane Society took over.
Lutheran Social Service is a non-profit organization that offers human support services, including employment, adoption, foster care, crisis nurseries, caregiver support, refugee services, counseling and more. The organization also provides a wellness center, a free teen clinic, an AIDS information program, and treatment and rehabilitation services.
Midwest Special Services serves adults with disabilities throughout the Twin Cities. The clinic focuses on vocational rehabilitation and provides social, recreational and education opportunities.
Midwest Special Services's programs include Day Training and Habilitation (DTH), the Autism/ASD Program, the CARES senior program and Vocational Services, which consists of center-based employment.
The clinic also offers a Creative Arts program for those in Autism and DT&H programs. Midwest Special Services offers pottery, paining, photography, wood working, weaving and performance art classes.
Kids 'n Kinship is a mentorship program that aims to provide positive role models for children ages five through sixteen. Administrators carefully match adult, couple or family mentors with children based on common interests and other criteria. The matched pairs then simply spend time together. This organization serves to promote, revive and nurture a sense of community, thus attempting to fulfill the adage, "It takes a village to raise a child."
Wingspan Life Resources offers 24 residential homes for people with developmental disabilties. It also provides personalized assistance and in-home programs for people who live outside of a Wingspan home. The goal of Wingspan Life Resources is to bring quality of life and independence to the lives of disabled people.
Midwest Special Services (MSS) has been helping adults with disabilities and their families since 1949. The organization began with one location in St. Paul, and has since grown to five locations that serve approximately 500 individuals each year. MSS strives to be the top provider of vocational and day training services for adults with disabilities. Call to schedule an appointment with a dedicated staff member.
The Apple Valley American Legion is a local chapter of the national veterans and community service organization. The post features a bar and restaurant. The restaurant primarily offers American cuisine, however it does periodically host specialty food nights. The post also has a banquet room available for rental and for use free-of-charge by nonprofit organizations and schools.