Kingfield Neighborhood Association

Lake & Nicollet Community Engagement Recap, Session #2

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The second session for the Lake and Nicollet redevelopment area focused on the American Dream. In this virtual meeting participants were encouraged to share their thoughts on the following questions related to the American Dream: What is it? Has this dream changed? Where do people get these thoughts? Certain themes emerged such as: it isn’t something that can be reached, it’s mythological/aspirational, etc. Others noted that the dream is real but isn’t achievable for all. Some participants shared how it can relate to contrasting/disparate ideas: individual vs. collective, freedom vs. oppression, privatization of the dream.
 
The discussion ultimately revolved around what is “the good life”? The meeting wrapped up with everyone sharing one measurable outcome/change that they would like to see in the next 10 years in this neighborhood. A few highlights of these were: higher quality education, more security, greenspace/public space for community gathering and collaboration, business development and incubations, wealth creation, etc.
 
For those interested in listening, learning and supporting this effort I welcome you to join me at future meetings (the next two sessions will be in person!)
Thanks,
Joanne Chappellaz,
KFNA Redevelopment Committee Liaison

Wells Fargo Community Engagement Report

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“It was a privilege to participate in this first session for the Nicollet and Lake redevelopment area. We got to hear brief introductions from the stakeholders who are guiding this process: Project for Pride in Living, Cultural Wellness Center and Wells Fargo. It was brought up that how we build is as important as what we build, thus the focus on community engagement and centering the community voice.
 
This first session focused on the history of Lake Street extending both directions from Nicollet Ave. Through imagery and stories we learned about this neighborhood through the decades from the late 1800’s to today. We got to see how the area evolved through the years with the introduction of cars, the move of businesses to the suburbs and the hard truths of erosion of community, redlining, the construction of 35W as well as the renewed focus on culture with the development of the Midtown Global Market. We also learned of inspiring community members who lived in the neighborhood at different times: Lena Olive Smith (Minnesota’s first female African American lawyer), Wayne Glanton (pioneering carpenter and construction entrepreneur) and Willie Mays (who played for the Minneapolis Millers before joining the New York Giants). 
 
For those interested in listening, learning and supporting this effort I welcome you to join me at future meetings.”
Joanne Chappellaz, Kingfield Neighbor and Member of the KFNA Redevelopment Committee

KFNA & LNA Hiring an Equity & Justice Organizer

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Equity and Justice Organizer: Full-time position

 

Who are we? We are the Kingfield and Lyndale Neighborhood Associations, two independent nonprofits cohoused in the South Nicollet Action Center at 3537 Nicollet Avenue South. As place-based nonprofits that cover from Lake Street to 46th  South and from Lyndale Avenue to 35W, we are focused on the neighbors and the opportunities in this area including housing and development, food security, racial justice and safety, election engagement, education, as well as community building and engagement. We share our office space, and occasionally our work, with dynamic issue-based organizing groups; currently this includes Minneapolis Climate Action and the Somali American Women Action Center. Together we seek to create a community center for all neighbors,  by focusing on 1) connecting neighbors to each other and to resources, 2) community identification of issues and solutions, and 3) leadership skill development.

Our organizations are committed to being equitable and inclusive and reflect the diversity and many identities in our neighborhood. We seek to foster the leadership and participation of people who neighborhood organizations have historically underinvested in. This includes people who rent, and people who identify as BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color), LGBTQ+, youth, and seniors.

 

Position Description: Full time (FTE)—Reporting to two co-housed nonprofit organizations.

Hourly range $18-21, based on experience, paid bi-weekly.
Paid holidays + PTO + Shortened work year (additional paid holiday break 12/18/21- 1/16/22.)
90-day probation period

Requirements:
Spanish: fluent in spoken and written Spanish + interpretation and translation experience
preferred.
Experience living and working in a diverse community: direct organizing training or lived-
experience preferred.
Basic computer skills including: email, data entry, graphic design, Excel, and Word
Strong writing ability in both languages. Comfortable with giving presentations and leading
meetings.
Proof provided of being fully vaccinated by start date.

For more information and to apply please visit http://bit.ly/EquityJusticePosition

 

Kingfield Empty Bowls (Virtually!) Kicks Off Today!

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For ten years, Kingfield Neighbors have gathered together on a cold February evening to dine together on delicious soups and breads, and raise funds for community’s affordable housing partners. Although this year will need to look different, it was felt by the planning team that this year, maybe more strongly than any other year, we NEED this hold this event.

So how do we hold a community dinner when we can’t gather as a community? Empty Bowls is about more than soup!

What REALLY goes into the “soup” at Kingfield Empty Bowls?

  • Strengthening local businesses
  • Supporting affordable housing
  • Building community!

We can still do these things, AND have soup too! See the Menu of Actions Below!

Empty Bowls Action #1: Visit Butter Bakery Café or The Lowbrow for Soup!

Bring one of your own bowls from a past Empty Bowls event to show your support (or feel free to make donation and take a new one of ours!) When you order soup at Butter Bakery or The Lowbrow they will also donate the price of your soup to support affordable housing options in our community! You can even choose to eat it at the restaurant (make a reservation) or get it to-go!

Empty Bowls Action #2: Donate directly to KFNA by texting the words ‘Affordable Housing’ to #44-321 to Support This Work in Our Community!

Donated funds for bowls and soup will be divided between three partners: Nicollet Square, City of Lake Community Land Trust, and KFNA, to support ongoing work like we did this past summer with the unhoused folks at MLK Park. Please also support these amazing local partnering businesses by purchasing something extra with your soup (like a hot coffee, cold beer, or delicious dessert!) so they also benefit from you visit.

Empty Bowls Action #3: Share a photo with Your Community here!

Send a photo to KFNA of your family making soup, enjoying soup from a local participating restaurant, or eating soup at home. You can also take a photo of your favorite soup recipe, Grandma’s Borscht  or Auntie Mae’s Fiery Corn Chowder, and share that as well. KFNA will be creating a virtual “bulletin board” of you images to show the engagement and activity in our community! 

Empty Bowls Action #4: RSVP to attend the Empty Bowls (Virtual) Community Dinner & Trivia Event

RSVP here to save your household’s spot at the table for the Kingfield Empty Bowls Virtual Community Dinner & Trivia Event. Trivia will be hosted by Tane Danger and Heather Meyer, both Kingfield neighbors and members of the Theater of Public Policy!

Set the table, ladle out the soup, and plug in your laptop to enjoy a special show about Kingfield presented by our hosts Tane and Heather. Be sure to have your cell phone handy so you can also participate in the online Kingfield-centric trivia, focused on the history of Kingfield’s residents and dwellings. Tane says, “it’s going to be a super fun, interactive online trivia event, where YOU can play with, and against!, others in the neighborhood!” 

And did we say prizes? We should have, as there will be prizes too! 

Any questions about Kingfield Empty Bowls should be directed to KFNA Executive Director Sarah Linnes-Robinson.

Free Postcards to create Waves of Thankfulness for Healthcare Workers now available!

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Step 1: Go to Butter Bakery Cafe , located at 3700 Nicollet.
Step 2: Select several of the Artist designed postcards.
Step 3: Order a warm beverage and sit outside and add a personal note of “thanks” to each card, or take them home with you to do at the kitchen table.
Step 4: If you want to mail your cards to healthcare workers that you have a relationship with leave the right-hand side of the card free, and address and mail them (….and thank you for supporting the US Post Office!)
Or
If you want us to deliver them to local nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics you can fill the entire back of the card with text! Then just bring them back to Butter Bakery (3700 Nicollet) by end of the day December 24th (or on their December 31st New Year’s/Birthday Party) and place them in the Christmas Postcard box!