Today was our first meeting at "The Exchange" and the transition couldn't have been smoother. The food, service and ambience were exceptional, making us feel right at home on day one. Many thanks to Scott and Christian for doing everything possible to make it work and thank you to the many Rotarians who helped in big and small ways to make the move so seamless.
 
Our Rotarian guests today were Frank Mabley and Marv Sorvala. Dana Rebelein's guest was her daughter, Smiley and John Ordway's guest was his wife, Marla.
 
Paul's heart valve surgery is tentatively scheduled for August 17th. Paul knows that our thoughts and prayers are with him and Chrissy.
 
For those who have registered, this Friday is the Gourmet Appetizer Fundraiser for our Matching Grant to support education for Syrian refugee children. If the weather is good, show up as early as 3PM. Beer, wine and pop are provided but, if your taste runs toward hard liquor, please B.Y.O.B.  The address is:
                10 Dellwood Ave.
                White Bear Lake, MN 55110
 
Mark Beisswenger needs a few more volunteers to staff the Rotary Bingo Tent at Stockyard Days. Please give Mark a call if you haven't already signed up.
 
Michelle Caron announced that her wedding will be in just 17 days.
 
Special thanks to MaryAnn Bawden for providing the delicious cake to celebrate our move!
 
MaryAnn introduced our speaker, Iris McGinnis, Board President and volunteer staff person at the Community Service Center (CSC). You may remember that Iris has spoken to the club on several occasions about CSC. Iris was joined by I.S.D. 621 Student Support Services Director, Mandy Little. The Community Support Center provides support to prevent homelessness for residents of New Brighton, Mounds View, Arden Hills, North Oaks and Shoreview. In case you think that homelessness is not a problem in our suburbs, consider that in the Mounds View School District last year there were 126 families and 216 students who were homeless at some point during the year. One study showed that 47% of metro households would be unable to respond to a $400 financial emergency without selling something or borrowing money to cover the emergency. Another study showed a 92% increase in metro area poverty since 2000.
 
CSC employs a very different strategy than most governmental and private grant agencies. Their hallmark is "Taking Time to Listen" and it is the key to their success where other agencies have failed. The first step when someone calls CSC is to determine if they are already taking advantage of all available resources and, if not, appropriate referrals are made. If all available resources are exhausted, CSC will schedule a two hour intake interview to get a true picture of the causes of the financial problem. If the person can be self-sufficient with ongoing financial counseling and short term financial assistance, goals are set and one hour follow-up sessions are scheduled every two weeks to keep things on track. The entire program is based on making changes that will lead to financial self-sufficiency and prevent homelessness caused by eviction.
 
In 2015, CSC did intake interviews for 60 families and provided direct assistance for 37 families. Long- term support is provided to about 15 families at any given time. Iris shared three heart-warming stories of single mothers, facing eviction, who were able to turn their lives around with the CSC's help.
 
For many years CSC was part of the Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) but CSC has spun off from CEAP to become self-supporting. CSC has been incorporated and will be a 501c3 tax-exempt organization very soon. One challenge of the transition is that staff salaries will no longer be supported by CEAP grants, so additional donations from businesses, organizations and individuals in the community and  will be needed to maintain the current service levels. Iris encouraged NBMV Rotary to become a founding member of the new, independent, CSC.  Iris offered us all the opportunity to participate in, and/or contribute to, the annual "Walk a Mile for Your Neighbors" event on Sunday morning, July 31st at beautiful Silverwood Park at County Rd. E and Silver Lake Rd. Mandy Iris and John are shown below.
Community Support Center
1600 Silver Lake Road Northwest, New Brighton, MN, 55112
651-387-8050 • cscnewbrighton@gmail.com
http://www.communitysupportcenter.org/