Empty Bowls 2012

Hello,
I would like to invite you to sign up to volunteer for Kingfield’s 1st Empty Bowls event. Please click on the link above to sign up.

I am using Jooners to organize this activity. To participate, you do not need to register or become a member of Jooners. You just enter your email address, name, and notes to me and you will be notified of any changes and receive reminders via email!

Please feel free to pass this link onto friends in the neighborhood or colleagues that care about the issues of hunger and homelessness, or have a particular interest in youth. Information on the event is attached to this email. Youth between the ages of 12-15 are welcome to volunteer with a parent or responsible adult. Youth older than that are welcome to attend and volunteer on their own.

We are still seeking bowl donations for this event.  If you are able to help please contact me directly, or bring your donation to the Color Wheel Gallery at 46th & Grand, 11 AM- 7 PM, Tuesday-Saturday.

Thank you and feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions!

Sarah Linnes-Robinson,
KFNA Executive Director
sarah@kingfield.org
612.791.7081 cell

I want you to have the powerful poem that Markita wrote to share her experience as a homeless youth.  Her poem demonstrates her resiliency in the face of incredible challenges, which is what we see in so many tenants at Nicollet Square, our new supportive housing and employment program for young adults transitioning from homelessness or foster care. 

If you have been able to tour Nicollet Square or join us for our grand opening we hope you were touched by the stories, photos and art of the youth who call it home.  They are our constant inspiration to continue our work to create more affordable, supportive housing for the 2,500 youth who don’t have a place to go home to tonight.

If you’re asking yourself what you should do to help, we want you to know that one of the most important things you can do is to encourage others to get involved.  Please ask your friends and colleagues to visit Nicollet Square to gain a deeper understanding about youth homelessness and to see what ending it is all about. If you haven’t had a chance to see it yourself, now’s the time.  Our next tour dates are: June 21st from 4-5 p.m. and July 1st from 8:30-9:30am. To RSVP please email Takara at THenegar@plymouthfoundation.org or call 612-871-0890.

Thank you in advance for helping us build a community of support for ending homelessness.

With gratitude,

Lee Blons, Executive Director    
To learn more or to donate visit www.plymouthfoundation.org.

I’m From
by Markita H.

I’m from the struggle and havin’ to snuggle up cuz we neva
had any heat let alone socks or shoes or clothes on our backs
or on our feet neva havin’ any food in the ‘fridgerator to eat
all becuase of momma getting high off whats up on the streets
disappearing for days at a time maybe even weeks
at the age being confused misuse straight up beat
askin why did it have to be me

I’m from foster home to foster home group homes and shelters
I’m from people sayin’ no one can help her
as in me they not talking about her they talking about me
yea I know I see it’s every man for himself in this struggling society
bad yea look it’s the economy government don’t lie to me
don’t lie to us cuz I could have sworn the dolla’ bill said “In God We Trust”
and look at us saying we must have this we must have that
and aint got ish to show or ish to match

I’m from bogus relationships tricks offs and money
I look back on it now an think it’s funny
I’m from a father that don’t know me or care what I’m destined to be
but it’s all good cuz he ain’t ish to me
I’m from trying to be strong and erase the weak
but it gets too late I start to feel my eyes leak
I start to breath heavy just thinking about the people that left and so called loved me

I’m from being so blinded that I can see what life has in store especially for me
I’m from gospel art hip-hop R&B to expressin’ my feelings
through songs and pure poetry

Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation is participating in Homeless Day on the Hill on Tuesday, March 15. Join us and the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless as we bring a message to state lawmakers that together, we can end homelessness– even during difficult economic times. As a community, we will:

Advocate to preserve programs that prevent homelessness and rapidly re-house Minnesotans who become homeless.
Share the importance of ending youth homelessness through projects like Nicollet Square, PCNF’s newest housing development for former foster care and long term homeless youth.
Stand up to proposals which would cut desperately needed funding for family shelter programs like Families Moving Forward.
Depending on interest in the neighborhood, we will coordinate transportation to the event from Nicollet Square (3700 Nicollet Ave.)

Training will take place from 9:00-10:00 at Christ Lutheran Church (105 University Avenue W.). Lobby visits will take place from 10:00-2:00.

To register or if you have questions contact Allison Johnson (ajohnson@plymouthfoundation.org) by March 4 with the following information:
-Your name
-Your address
-Your legislative district (if you know it)
-Your phone number
-Your congregational affiliation (if any)

You can get more information on Nicollet Square including current volunteer opportunities here.