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Student Portal

Bina’s Story

Bina and Dareen

 

Bina and her family came to St. Paul in pursuit of a safer, stable life. Despite earning a degree from her home country, she had to restart her educational pursuits upon moving to America. Through Neighborhood House, Bina was able to find help for her education while helping her daughter Dareen move forward with her own.

It was too dangerous for my family to continue working and living in Iraq. I didn’t know what life would be like overseas and I didn’t know anyone else in America.

Before we settled down in St. Paul, I had a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Iraq. However, after moving, I had to start over with my education by taking English classes and preparing for college again. I also needed to find a pre-school program for my three year-old daughter Dareen.

Neighborhood House took care of both of us. While I learned English and prepared for college, my daughter Dareen could get ready for kindergarten.

After completing my English classes, I started attending the College Readiness program here to get ready for my studies after Neighborhood House. I also received my English Essential Skills Certificate and passed the Accuplacer practice exam, so I will be ready to start college in the fall. I plan to attend a two-year college so I can pursue a career as a pharmacy technician while being able to look after my children.

Dareen has also come a long way. At first, she would cry for me whenever we went to our separate classes. Even though we were in the same building, she did not want to leave my side! Now, she is so excited to learn, see her teachers, and meet with her new friends.

No matter where you are in your life, no matter your age, you always have an opportunity to keep learning and studying at Neighborhood House.

This place has been like a big, warm house. I’ve made many new friends from around the world such as South Korea and Mexico, and we connect through stories about how we arrived here and what Neighborhood House has meant to us. I’m so thankful for all of the help that my daughter and I have received as we prepare for the future.

7/26/17

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Che Lia Lee | Early Childhood Instructor

Che Lia is a 2022 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s Anthropology program, where she also served on the Multicultural Education Coalition. Prior to her time at Neighborhood House, Che Lia spent the previous five years working in elementary schools and early education classrooms.

  • Che Lia leads Small Steps Child Care classes, working with dual-language learning children ages one to five years old.

Fluent in English and Hmong, Che Lia’s personal interests include hiking, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.

Maiyer Thor | Child Development Specialist

Maiyer has been with Neighborhood House since 2020 when she served as an intern with the Food Market.

In 2021, Maiyer was hired to work at Neighborhood House and now conducts all online and home-based learning sessions, tailoring all lessons to each students’ individualized needs. She also assists in Skills for School preschool classes. Maiyer brings several years of experience as an early childhood teacher for other nonprofits to her role at Neighborhood House.

  • Maiyer earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from St. Catherine University.
  • She is a certified user of the Keys to Interactive Parenting Scale (KIPS)

Fluent in English and Hmong, Maiyer is the daughter of immigrants and the mother of three young children.

Valerie Dorschner | Early Childhood Instructor

Valerie has worked at Neighborhood House since 2004.

Valerie leads the Skills for School preschool program and is responsible for the curriculum. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood working with parents and children, and has training and experience working with neurodiverse and dual language students.

  • Valerie is a licensed teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas.
  • She holds licenses in elementary education and in early childhood education, and has several years of experience
    teaching elementary school.

Valerie enjoys her free time with her five children and one grandchild.

Amanda Williams | Parent and Early Childhood Education Program Manager

Amanda has served at Neighborhood House since 2014.

As the Parent and Early Childhood Education Program Manager, Amanda ensures the program continues to be culturally competent, responsive, and meets the needs of immigrant and under-resourced families with young children. She has
over 12 years of experience overseeing children and family programming in crisis nurseries, shelters, and early childhood education centers.

  • Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Child Psychology from Metropolitan State University and is an
    alumni of a local nonprofit emerging leaders academy.
  • She is trained in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s), Psychological First Aid, Adult Mental Health First Aid, and has
    completed Parents as Teachers Foundational training.

In her free time, Amanda enjoys traveling, visiting museums, exploring the outdoors, and trying out new local restaurants.

Victoria Campoverde

Victoria Campoverde is the program manager of Neighborhood House’s Latino Leadership Program. She is originally from Peru and was a licensed high school teacher in her home country.

Her extensive experience within the education sector exemplifies her commitment to education and families.

  • Currently, she serves as the Cultural Liaison between Columbia Heights School District and Anoka-Hennepin School District.
  • In 2008 Victoria began working with The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s Latino Leadership Program on adapting their curriculum for the Latinx community. Since then, she has continued working in the Latino Leadership Program after its 2020 transition to Neighborhood House.
  • Coauthor of Education: Our Best Legacy (EOBL), a school success program designed for parents or caregivers with one or more children in middle school. EOBL is part of the Partnering for School Success project (PSS) with the University of Minnesota’s Extension program.
  • Lead teacher and Program Director at Joyce Preschool.
  • A 25 on the Rise, Latino Leader recipient from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
  • Facilitator with different Latino parent programs in the Twin Cities.
  • President of Kuyayki Peru MN Cultural Association.

For Victoria it is important to value ones culture and cultivate ones heritage. She believes in the importance of empowering the community through her work with Neighborhood House and the Latino Leadership Program. During her free time Victoria enjoys dancing.

Winter / Spring Fresh Produce Distributions Events*

(November – May) take place at Metro State University in St. Paul. During each event, we distribute approximately 4,000-7,000 pounds of food to approximately 100 families on average.

For additional questions about the Food Markets, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!

  • Requirements: Not a thing, just yourself. An identification is not required to attend.
  • Recommendations: You will want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one.
  • COVID-19: This event is held indoors, masks are encouraged.
  • Please note that your fist visit will require an onsite registration process that will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Parking: You can park in the Metro State ramp parking for $5. Otherwise, street parking is available along 7th St. and Bates Avenue.
  • If available, please consider brining your own reusable bags. On average our visitors take home around 40 pounds of food. 

Location

Metropolitan State University

(Student Center Room)
101 690 E 7th St
St. Paul, MN 55106

DATES – EVERY 2ND WEDNESDAY

FROM JANUARY TO MAY
1/11, 2/8, 3/8, 4/12, 5/10
HOURS: 2:30PM – 4:00PM

 

* Weather permitting – If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.

Still have questions? Kindly email Cassandra Kienbaum, Food Support Manager. 

Summer / Fall distributions* (Summer 2022)

From July to October, all are welcome to come pick up a variety of free fruits and vegetables for family and friends at all four locations. 

The distributions are held outdoors and are farmer’s market style. Events are open to all. No documentation or identification is required to participate.

For additional questions about Food Support, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page

Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!

  • Requirements: Not a thing, just yourself. An identification is not required to attend.
  • Recommendations: You will want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one. On average, visitors will leave with approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce per event. 
  • Please note that your fist visit will require an onsite registration process that will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Parking: You can on the street at most of our locations. At the Wellstone Center, you may park in our ramp.
 

Locations

The Wellstone Center*

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107

Dates

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday
From July to October
7/13, 7/27, 8/10, 8/24, 9/14, 9/28, 10/12
Hours: 1pm – 2:30pm

No event on 10/26

Dayton's Bluff Elementary*

262 Bates Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106

Dates

Every 2nd Thursday
From July to October
7/14, 8/11,  9/8, 10/13
Hours: 2:30pm – 4pm

Francis Basket Food Market*

1293 East Maynard Drive #410
St. Paul, MN 55116

Dates

Every 4th Monday
From July to October
7/25, 8/22, 9/26, 10/24
Hours: 2pm – 3pm

John A Johnson Elementary*

740 York Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106

Dates

Every 3rd Thursday
From July to October
7/21, 8/18, 9/15, 10/20
Hours: 2:30pm – 4pm

* Weather permitting – If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.

Still have questions? Kindly email Cassie Kienbaum, Food Support Program Manager.

Food Market Location

Francis Basket

1293 East Maynard Drive #410
St Paul, MN 55116
Phone: (651) 699-0986

Building Hours

Monday

9AM – 11:30AM

Tuesday & Friday

9AM – 11:30AM
1PM – 3:30PM

Highland / Sibley Manor

Food Market Location

The Wellstone Center

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: (651) 789-2500
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630

Appointment Scheduling Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Appointment Scheduling Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 11:30AM

1PM – 3:30PM

Wellstone Center Food Market

St. Paul Music Academy

27 Geranium Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55117
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

St. Paul Music Academy

John A. Johnson Elementary

740 York Avenue
St Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

John A. Johnson Elementary

Highland / Sibley Manor Apartments

1300 West Maynard Drive
St Paul, MN 55116
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Highland / Sibley Manor

Dayton's Bluff Elementary

262 Bates Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Dayton's Bluff Elementary

Bruce Vento Elementary

409 Case Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55130
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Bruce Vento Elementary

Main Campus

The Wellstone Center

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Main Phone: (651) 789-2500
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

8AM – 9PM

Saturday

8AM – 4PM

Sunday

NOON – 5PM

The Wellstone Center

Parking

The Wellstone Center Parking Ramp is located on the west side of the main building. The ramp has three levels with one elevator bank. Take the elevator to the first floor and follow the signs towards the information desk.
Parking is free.

Note: Building hours may be adjusted due to holidays, emergencies, program changes or weather. Check our website homepage and social media for possible building hour changes.