Volunteer with the Vital Living program East Side Neighborhood Services

The following article was submitted by Eastside Neighborhood Services. If you would like to submit an article on behalf of a community-based organization that serves the Waite Park neighborhood, send it to website@waiteparkcc.org.

Make a difference in the lives of older adults in our community, while engaging in a volunteer opportunity that highlights your talents and utilizes your experience. You’re just the person we’ve been looking for! 

Northeast Day Spot Friend Volunteer: Provide respite care support for people experiencing dementia and other chronic conditions while their caregivers receive a break. On Fridays from 9:30AM-1:30PM, you will socialize with participants, provide support during activities like art projects and games, and help with set up and clean up. No hands-on care required. You do not have to come every week.  

Music Maker Volunteer: Share your musical talents with people experiencing dementia. On Fridays from 12:15-1PM, you will play music for our group to enjoy. Bring your own instrument or use our keyboard. We also love sing alongs! Most music makers volunteer once every few months.  

Garden Volunteer: Help us plant, water and weed our community garden. Flexible days/times.  

Phone Call Friend Volunteer: Provide a listening ear and companionship to an older adult with weekly phone calls. Days/times are flexible.  

Contact: Syneva Barrett 612-787-4035 or sbarrett@esns.org 
Eastside Neighborhood Services 1700 2nd St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 

East Side Neighborhood Services is a nonprofit human services agency providing resources and social services to individuals of all ages and families in Hennepin County since 1915. The Vital Living Program serves older adults through resources, classes, events, and caregiver support.

RSVP for Waite Park 2024 annual neighborhood meeting & election

The Waite Park Community Council will hold its annual neighborhood meeting and board election on Thursday, March 14, at Columbia Manor.

• Meet and mingle with neighbors and community leaders

• Get involved! Learn about neighborhood volunteer opportunities

• Free snacks and beverages (including beer and wine)

The event will begin with a social hour at 6pm, followed by a brief program at 7pm that will include an annual report from WPCC’s board officers as well as brief comments from local leaders. Officials who have RSVP’d to attend include: Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne, School Board Treasurer Abdul Abdi, Park Commissioner Billy Menz, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando and State Rep. Sydney Jordan.

*** RSVP here ***

All attendees who live, work, or own property in the Waite Park neighborhood are invited to participate in the annual board election. This year’s vote will elect up to seven board members, as well as officer roles for president and vice president.

The Waite Park Community Council is an all-volunteer-run nonprofit organization dedicated to building community, supporting civic engagement, and maintaining a high quality of life in our neighborhood.

Our 15 board members, elected to staggered, two-year terms, spend on average 3-5 hours per month attending meetings, helping to plan events such as our Fall Festival, administer neighborhood programs, and serve as liaisons with key community partners and stakeholders.

This year’s event will also feature a community resource fair, where attendees can learn about area nonprofits and community groups serving the Waite Park neighborhood and Northeast Minneapolis. Participating organizations include the League of Women Voters, Northeast Football Club, the Northeaster newspaper, Metro Transit, Eastside Neighborhood Services, Immigrant Connection, Waite Park Elementary PTA, and Northeast Middle School.

The Waite Park Community Council would like to extend a special invitation to all of its neighbors in the Columbia Park neighborhood, who may participate in all activities except for the board election.

This is a free event. RSVP is not required but it would help us out if you can let us know in advance if you are planning to attend, so that we can ensure we have the right amount of food, beverage, and seating for a successful event.

A Zoom option (link here) will be available for the annual report and election portion of the event beginning at 7pm.

Job opportunity: help us learn more about renters in our neighborhood

The Waite Park Community Council has contracted with the research firm Lumaris to conduct a survey and focus group to learn more about rental households in our neighborhood.

The project is funded through the City of Minneapolis’ Equitable Engagement Fund, designed to help neighborhood groups better engage with underrepresented populations within their community.

Lumaris is looking to hire one canvasser to knock on 150 doors in the Waite Park neighborhood and hand out postcards that invite residents to take an online survey. Pay is $50 an hour, plus $5 bonuses for each completed survey.

Requirements

You must be:
• 18 or older.
• Able to work independently and follow instructions.
• Respectful, courteous, and professional with residents.
• Able to complete canvassing on a single day.

Deadline: Finish canvassing by March 23, 2024.

How to apply

Please email info@lumaris.com. Include your availability and contact information. Lumaris will contact you for a brief Zoom interview if you are selected. You will receive detailed instructions on how to do the canvassing.