Two of our students taking computer classes at Neighborhood House were recognized for their achievements and time spent studying in the month of January. Both students were recognized in front of their peers and received Neighborhood House t-shirts! Way to go students!
Adopt-a-Family program update
Neighborhood House distributed gifts to 50 families who took part in our Adopt-a-Family program this year, with each individual in the family receiving three gifts. Thank you also to House of Hope Church, Gloria Dei Lutheran, SSIP Law Firm and over 100 individuals were sponsored from Lumen Christi Church. Thank you to the staff who worked with the families to ensure delivery by the holidays.
Neighborhood House gives away 50 beds!
Neighborhood House was able to give away 50 beds (donated by Slumberland Furniture) to families in need of beds due to family members sleeping on the floor, on couches or doubling up.
Slumberland donated 35 twin beds and 15 full size beds. Thank you to the staff who assisted families in getting their very own new beds!
Movie night at Neighborhood House Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
February 18 | 12pm - 4pm
Join us for an event celebrating Black History month on the West Side: a free screening of Wakanda Forever (the sequel to Black Panther) at the Wellstone Center. This event is free to attend for all ages.
Join #IamABE and Literacy Action Network at the Capitol for a "Day on the Hill" event on March 23. At this event attendee will be advocating for adult education for programs across Minnesota.
The group is inviting students, educators, and members of the community.
Now accepting applications for
Constance Currie scholarships
From now until March 31, we will be accepting applications for the Constance Currie Scholarship!
Applicant Eligibility
Must be seeking a first-time postsecondary education
Must have lived, worked, or volunteered within Saint Paul’s West Side community (zip code 55107) at some point in their lives; or been actively involved with Neighborhood House Programs
Previous recipients are eligible to submit applications with a maximum of three
awards per individual Scholarship Awards
Scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $1,500. The annual number of awards are determined based on available funds. Recipients can use their scholarship for any school-related expense at their discretion.
March Food Drive is coming soon! This year we have many different ways that you and your community can get involved.
Volunteer. Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities like collecting groceries from patrons at Kowalski’s grocery store and more!
Donate.Make your dollar go even further! When you make a donation to us during March Food Drive, a portion is matched by MN Food Share.
Host a Food Drive. Hosting a food drive with a group is a great way to get engaged and make a difference. Many churches, workplaces, book clubs and other groups choose to host food drives for Neighborhood House all year round!
Host a Fundraiser. During March Food Drive you can start a fundraiser through our giving platform and make it a challenge between your friends and family.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
