THE BEAM by Northway Community TrustHighlighting News and Information from North MinneapolisVol 2., No. 2 - Feb. 2006

The Beam is designed to keep you – our key partners and stakeholders – up to date and in the loop on North Minneapolis partnerships, programs and people. This monthly "quick read" provides current news briefs from NorthWay Community Trust and its partners.

Improving image, changing perceptions
one step at a time

The Northside Marketing Task Force is a coalition of individuals and organizations interested in promoting a positive image of North Minneapolis. Its purpose is to develop a combined vision for changing public perception of the Northside, to identify strategies for creating those changes and to find resources to carry out the plan.

An organizational meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 9 at NorthWay Community Trust. All those interested are invited to attend. Contact Louis Porter II, Outreach Program Manager, for more information.

Northside youth charting their own futures

NorthWay Community Trust’s Spring Youth Summit will be part of a dynamic process for young people to begin planning how they will make a difference in North Minneapolis.

Already off to a good start, about 50 youth attended a January 12 planning session for the event, many expressing enthusiasm and excitement. During the meeting they discussed:

  • The best ways to structure discussions about community issues and how they will ultimately address them.
  • A talent show/open microphone and headlining performer to serve as a “draw” for the summit.
  • Possible locations.
  • Their preference for a meal that day: barbeque.

About a dozen youth signed up to be part of the summit’s core planning committee. That group, along with other interested individuals, will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, at NorthWay Community Trust. Contact Louis Porter II, Outreach Program Manager, for more information.

Correction

In last month's issue of The Beam, we ran a grid of North Minneapolis neighborhood organizations, which contained a couple of wrong phone numbers. The correct information is:

  • Lind-Bohanon Neighborhood Association, 612-588-7641
  • Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association, 763-561-1616

Donations help further NorthWay’s efforts

Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Van Stauber of Statesville, North Carolina, and Karl & Hollis Stauber of Stillwater for their recent contributions to NorthWay Community Trust. Gifts like the Staubers help support NorthWay in its mission to improve life in North Minneapolis. If you’d like to make a donation, please contact Executive Director Wesley Walker.

Meet the Board

Each month, we profile a NorthWay board member.

Song Vang

SONG VANG

Song Vang is owner and president of the Metro Senior Center on Glenwood Avenue in the Harrison neighborhood. In addition to serving on NorthWay’s board, he is also on the board of directors for the Hmong American Mutual Assistance Association.

Why NorthWay?

It is the diversity voice in the community. NorthWay also knows resources that can help others.

Hobbies/interests

Economic development to build the wealth and well-being of the community.

Favorite thing about North Minneapolis

Its diversity of cultures, arts and ethnic backgrounds.

Favorite quote

"Words should be used as tools of communication and not as a substitute for action."

Did you know...

A free North Housing & Home Improvement Fair will be held on Saturday, February 18 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at North High School, 14th and Knox Avenues, Minneapolis.

The Beam is a monthly e-newsletter published by NorthWay Community Trust. Feel free to pass it on. To provide feedback or suggest a feature idea, email info@northwaycom.org. For more information, visit northwaycom.org or call 612-521-4500.

NorthWay Community Trust, 1501 W. Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55412

NorthWay invests in collaborations and advocates for systemic change to improve the quality of life in North Minneapolis.