Occasionally, a need arises at a particular affordable housing community that is meet by a targeted response through funding opportunities and community partnerships. Below is a sampling of our most recent special initiatives.
World Renown Breaker MN Joe Tran at Ames Lake Neighborhood
K-5th grade youth participating in Ames Lake Summer Camp were able to participate in an 8-day break dancing residency with world renowned breaker, MN Joe Tran. Youth learned the history of breaking and the basic 5 elements of the dance: toprock, go-down, footwork, powermove and freezes, as well as created their own unique combination of moves. On the last day of the residency, youth hosted a showcase where they demonstrated their newly acquired breaking skills and enjoyed a performance by MN Joe Tran and breaking dance company, BRKFST.
KaBoom! Playground Build at Polynesian Village
The community of Polynesian Village (later renamed to Garden View Apartments) was in need of a new play structure for the large number of youth residing at the property. The current play structure was over 30 years old, missing numerous pieces and posed several health and safety concerns.
This initiative was made possible by a grant from KaBoom! and partnerships with The Home Depot, NFL and the larger community, a 2,500 square foot state-of-the-art playground designed by resident children was constructed in one day.
Barebones Productions Arts Residency at Ames Lake Neighborhood and Garden View Apartments
Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, youth had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on 8-day arts residency. At Garden View Apartments, youth created large German pole puppets, designed and launched rockets, made stilts and practiced stilt walking. At Ames Lake. These activities exposed youth to a new form of visual and performance arts they wouldn’t normally be exposed to.
Blue Lake Dance Project at Ames Lake Neighborhood
Youth participating in Ames After Hours were able to participate in a 12-week dance residency with dance professionals from Blue Lake Dance Project. Youth learned ballet, hip hop and were introduced to the discipline of dance. At the end of the residency, youth held a final recital for the community demonstrating their mastery of dance skills. By bringing the dance residency to the Ames Lake Neighborhood community at no cost to youth, the initiative provided an experience many not have access to otherwise.
Healthy Community Dinners at Garden View Apartments & University Dale Apartments
Families and children at Garden View Apartments and University Dale Apartments began participating in bi-monthly healthy community dinners sponsored by Allina Health’s Neighborhood Health Connection Healthy Activity Grant. Providing inexpensive healthy meals can be a challenge, especially for people who have limited resources. The Healthy Community Dinners not only provide a platform for residents to try healthy food and learn valuable nutritional information, but the dinners help build social connections while combating isolation and depression.
Summer Literacy Program at Ames Lake Neighborhood
Ames Lake Summer Camp provided a summer reading program for K-5th grade youth in an effort to reduce the number of low-income students who experience summer reading loss.
Numerous research sources reveal the best predictor of summer reading loss is whether a child reads during the summer. To combat summer reading loss, the program provided 4 literacy components. 1. Individual and group reading time; 2. Weekly reading themed activities; 3. Bookmobile visits, and; participating in the Minnesota Literacy Council’s Summer Reads Program.
At the end of the summer, youth logged a total of 20.25 hours of reading; as well as a majority of youth showed improvement in the number of words they could read per minute.
This initiative was possible thanks to a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and a partnership with the St. Paul Public Library.