(Elysian, Minn.)- On Monday, March 26, Josh Syrjamali, Chief of Staff for Congressman Tim Walz, and five of Congressman Walz’s staff visited the Elysian Area Learning Center. The purpose of their visit was to learn more about the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program as well as the needs of early childhood programming in the rural service area.  In addition to Congressman Walz’s staff, Tri-Valley’s staff of Lindsay Vokaty, Edna Tudon, Cindy Strand, and Anita Swift were joined by Migrant and Seasonal Head Start parents: Monica Garcia and Juanita Picazo and Policy Council members, Diana Escamilla and Sondra Gongora, as well as one of our star toddler students from last summer.

The discussion covered a variety of topics that were important to Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head start.  Diana and Sandra shared information about the role of Policy Council in head start as well as some of their personal experiences as a PC member. Parents discussed how much their children benefited from the Head Start school readiness program – stating that when their children entered kindergarten teachers were so impressed with the knowledge, social skills, and confidence the children brought with them.  Concerns that we heard from all parents was the difficulty in finding qualified teachers, transportation, funding, and length of services.

Discussion also included the impact of stricter immigration enforcement, the lack of funding for the agriculture bill, school readiness, professional development, and several other issues that affect people living in rural areas.

A regional follow up meeting will be held on Thursday, April 12 in Waseca. This meeting will continue the conversations that were started across southern Minnesota during the staffer’s tour of the area. Anita, Cindy, and (hopefully) two parents will be attending this Regional Vitality Summit.

If you are currently working at a nonprofit in the Northwest region, you are invited to join this free, informal discussion and information sharing group hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. The networking lunch will be held at Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. in Crookston on Monday, March 26 from 12 – 1 pm. There is no charge for this event.

Each month at the networking lunch, a topic is identified around which the majority of the discussion will revolve. Participants are encouraged to share questions, examples and insights related to the topic discussed in the session. In addition to the featured topic discussion, each session will include time to network and ask questions. This network is free and no RSVP is necessary. You are invited to bring your lunch, business cards and ideas. If you have any questions about the Northwest Region Networking Lunches, please contact Ashley Charwood, Northwest Minnesota regional coordinator, at acharwood@minnesotanonprofits.org or 218-407-5202.

2018 Tri-Valley Dates:
* March 26 – Crookston
* October 10 – Crookston

The Tri-Valley Foster Grandparent Program held its yearly Christmas Party on Friday December 1, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston.  The students in grades K-4 from Our Saviors Lutheran Day School started out by entertaining  the group by singing Christmas songs.   Two of our Foster Grandparents who were unable to attend our annual recognition event in October were given their awards at the Christmas Party.  They were Carol Liebl who volunteers at St Michaels in Mahnomen  as well as Delores Lein who volunteers at Challenger Elementary in TRF.   They were both very surprised and happy  to receive the  “World of Difference” award.   The award is engraved with, “With the little things you do every day, your impact spreads far and wide. Your commitment to improving lives inspires and motivates us all… You make a world of difference.”   Bingo was played, prizes won, singing was done and a wonderful brunch of muffins and egg bake was enjoyed by all who attended.

Hello my name is Oscar & Vanessa Rivera,

My family and I were having a bad time after my husband lost his job. I was the only one working while he stayed home with the children and looked for another job. He applied at Seneca and he got the job, we then had to look for child care for our five children. Rosa Lopez asked my mother-in-law if she knew of anyone with children that worked in agriculture and my mother-in-law told her about us. So Rosa told her to have us go to the Head Start center and apply. So my husband went the next day we were approved.

I did not want my children to be watched by people that were not family but we had no other choice. I am glad that I agreed to have my children attend the center. They learned a lot and were prepared for kindergarten. The staff were so attentive with my children I am very grateful for this program. They did not only learn to write their names and ABC’s but they learned good manners and my youngest even learned some sign language. I would recommend this organization to anyone that I know. My children enjoyed their time at the center and we are very pleased and happy that our children were being cared for very well.

My husband worked at Seneca for four years and four out of five of my children came to the center. My children attended the Glencoe and Hutchinson Centers all those years. I am also an employee of Tri-Valley and have been a health assistant for five years and I have enjoyed my time here. I am grateful to Tri-Valley for not only the job opportunity but for taking such great care of the children.

Sincerely,

Oscar & Vanessa Rivera

(Article and photos courtesy of KROX Radio) The Agassiz Townhomes project officially became a reality on Wednesday, October 25th, as a number of area dignitaries, including Senator Mark Johnson, and County Commissioners Don Diedrich and Gary Willhite, and Amy Larson from Minnesota Housing, joined Executive Director at Tri-Valley, Jason Carlson, and representatives from local businesses, along with City and Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) staff to break ground at the construction site at the corner of Fisher Avenue and Broadway.

Carlson stressed the fact that the project represented both quality partnerships and perseverance.  “It’s our job to identify needs in our communities, and Crookston had an identified housing need a few years ago. For three years now, Tri-Valley has been working with CHEDA, the City, private employers, Otto Bremer Trust, Minnesota Housing, and now Wells Fargo Bank, to put together a needed housing project. It’s one of many things we’re doing in the community. I really think that this is a great example of how Tri-Valley’s Board of Directors is committed to the community of Crookston.” he said.

Vice Mayor and Council Member, Dale Stainbrook praised the affordable housing aspect of the project, saying, “I like the fact that this is income-based housing for our workforce. It’s a step for them to move to the community, get employed with one of our businesses, and it’s a stepping stone for a lot of these tenants; it’s housing they can afford, and if they stay here long enough, we hope that they will buy a home and become part of the community. I think this is going to be a tremendous plus. If we get this in, I think other projects will follow. We still need a variety of single family, affordable workforce housing, and I think this is the first step to reach that goal.”

City Administrator, Shannon Stassen, seconded Stainbrook’s words, adding, “Workforce housing is very important, and we’ve been hearing for a number of years that Crookston needs more of it. This project has been three years in the making, so hats off to Jason Carlson and everybody else involved in sticking around and seeing it through. These houses are going to be important for people who ultimately help our businesses to succeed. We need a workforce, and we need affordable housing for those people who come here to Crookston and fill those jobs, so it’s vital, and we just can’t thank Tri-Valley enough for taking this on – not just today, but long-term.”

And CHEDA Executive Director, Craig Hoiseth said that it was really the creative partnerships that made project reality. “The partnerships were everything in this project. The application stood out at Minnesota Housing because the City of Crookston, CHEDA, the 15 businesses, Tri-Valley, Three Rivers … you name it, it just goes on and on. People who were in support of this project came out full-throttled, with dollars behind them, and enthusiastically embraced this project. The end result is that a good collaboration brings forth a good project, and we look forward to seeing 30 townhomes delivered for Crookston residents in about a year,” he said.

Minnesota farmers are in full swing come autumn, it is the perfect time to celebrate the products they grow and raise! Jami Nunn, Food & Nutrition Specialist has been working with the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy to promote Farm to Early Care in TVOC’s head start centers.   Throughout the year there has been two focus fruits or vegetables incorporated into the menu’s each month.  Children spend time learning in their classroom on how valuable farming is to our economy as well learning how fresh produce enhances their palates.

In October, Minnesota and other states across the nation celebrate Farm to School and Early Care Month.  Farm to Early Care Celebrations have taken place within Tri-Valley’s centers such as children showing their love for apples during the “Great Apple Crunch” on Thursday, October 12^th.  The centers served apples for lunch and participated in activities revolving around apples.  Centers such as Glencoe/Hutchinson promoted Farm to Head Start by putting on a Harvest Fest for families on October 13^th to celebrate this season.

Here is how centers have been celebrating Farm to School and Early Care Month!

Elysian:

Preschool 1 created a Great Apple Crunch door.  In addition; each room did apple tasting, apple research, and several other apple related activities.  As well, the staff enjoyed apples for a healthy treat.

Rochester:

Rochester Read Ten Apples Up On Top to their Kids, talked about colors and make art with that color, They smash apples, make apple sauce, make apple croissants, have apple slices for lunch.

Glencoe/Hutchinson:

Kids got to weigh apples, talk about colors, shapes, smells and where they come from.  They also got a couple of slices during snack time.

Crookston:

Children completed activities letting children explore a variety of apples. They talked about size, color, and taste. They also had a chance to explore different ways apples could be prepared such as applesauce and apple cider.

St. Cloud:

Planned fun activities for the children such as; practicing fine motor skills, cognitive, talked about colors and much more. We also had fun tasting the different kinds of apples.

East Grand Forks:

Children put their hands inside a feely bag to try and guess what was inside.  They drew pictures in their journal about what they thought it was.  Turned out to be apples! They also taste tested red, green, and yellow apples and talked about the color, taste (sweet or sour), crunchy or soft.  Then they picked what apple they liked best. EGF also read the book “10 Apples Up on Top” by Dr. Seuss and did an activity with apples.  They were able to measure and count during preparation of a cooking activity.

Photo (L-R) Darlene Jadeke, Corann Fladhammer, Beverly Flickinger, David Vanderhoof

The Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. Foster Grandparent Program held its annual recognition luncheon at the Crookston Eagles Club on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Heidi Simmons, Senior Programs Director began the event by welcoming the Foster Grandparents and guests to the banquet. Jason Carlson, Tri-Valley’s CEO then thanked all of the volunteers for the difference they are making in the lives of others in our communities.

Following the welcome, the “World of Difference” award was given to individuals who have been nominated by professional staff at their volunteer site. The award is engraved with, “With the little things you do every day, your impact spreads far and wide. Your commitment to improving lives inspires and motivates us all… You make a world of difference.”

Recipients of the World of Difference Award were Grandma Darlene Jadeke (Head Start, East Grand Forks, 8 year volunteer), Grandpa David Vanderhoof (South Point, East Grand Forks, 9 year volunteer), Grandma Beverly Flickinger (Challenger Elementary, Thief River Falls, 7 year volunteer), and Grandma Corann Fladhammer (Win-E-Mac School, Erskine, 12 year volunteer).

Prior to the meal and awards, the Foster Grandparents were entertained by the sounds of the Crookston Area Men’s Chorus led by George French.

For more information on how to become a Foster Grandparent, Caring Companion or how to receive Caring Companion services please call Heidi, Jeanette, Jean, or Kristal at 1-800-584-7020.