All posts in the topic Ninth Ward E-News - Friday, April 4, 2008 (Short link)

The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization is one of 70 groups relying on NRP
funds.

The Minnesota legislature is considering a bill that will extend funding for
the Neighborhood Revitalization Program <http://www.nrp.org/>  (NRP). Senators
Torres Ray
<http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1151&ls=85> ,
Higgins
<http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1017&ls=85> ,
Dibble
<http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1010&ls=85> ,
Sieben
<http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1115&ls=85> ,
and Berglin
<http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1005&ls=85>
are co-authors of SF 3643
<https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S3643.1.html&session=ls85>
which provides for the extension of the tax increment financing funding that
originally funded the program and mandates the retention of an independent
governance structure for the program. In support of the legislation, the
Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Friday, March 21
to urge the State of Minnesota to enact legislation that would effectively fund
the NRP beyond 2009.



"The city must support continuous funding of NRP," Council Member Gary Schiff
said. "It is equally important to make sure that neighborhood groups retain
their independent ability to set funding priorities."



In downtown Minneapolis, there are fifteen tax increment financing districts
that are set to decertify in 2009. The bill asks the legislature to extend the
districts for the minimum time necessary to provide $100 million to fund the
needs of NRP after 2009. Public and community leaders originally conceived of
the NRP in the late 1980s as a way to invest in neighborhoods and quell the
trend of people moving from urban areas into the suburbs.



$150k available for Latino gang prevention program





According to the MPD gang member fact sheet
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/police/stats/street-gangs.pps#257,3,MALE
GANG MEMBERS THE FACTS> , the average life expectancy of a gang member is 24
years.

The Hennepin County Board
<http://www.hennepin.us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.4abd65a3575b98896997dff6b1466498/?vgnextoid=1c1abe2f09b7c010VgnVCM1000000f094689RCRD>
has set aside $150,000 for a six-month pilot program targeting early gang
intervention among Hennepin County's Latino population. "Latino gangs
constitute the largest and fastest growing gang population in Hennepin County,
with over 1,200 members among six different groups. This money represents the
most significant governmental effort to date to create effective youth programs
that will shrink the size of these gangs by redirecting our youth," Council
Member Schiff said. The expected outcomes of the chosen program are to avoid
gang involvement and to improve school success for Latino youth. For a program
to be considered, it will need to target Latino youth ages 9-21 that are
exhibiting pre-delinquent behavior, low-level delinquent behavior or are
involved in the juvenile justice system.



The ideal program will engage youth one-on-one and develop individualized case
plans to address the issues that got the youth involved in gang and pre-gang
activities. Youth will be referred by county probation officers, community
organizations, faith-based organizations, parents and other family members,
schools, or will be self-referred to the program.



Organization wishing to submit proposals need to have experienced
bilingual/bicultural staff, a history of connections with Latino organizations
throughout Hennepin County, the ability to work with gangs and corrections, the
ability to serve families throughout Hennepin County, and the ability to track
and report outcomes. Proposals are due on April 14, 2008. Organization wishing
to submit proposals may do so electronically by emailing
<email obscured> with the subject line: "Proposal: Resource
Development Latino Gang Intervention in Hennepin County". For more information,
proposal requirements and specification, click here
<http://www.hennepin.us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.3f94db53874f9b6f68ce1e10b1466498/?vgnextoid=397e5b99fd6a8110VgnVCM20000048114689RCRD>
.





Dine Out for Life and fight AIDS on April 26th



The Minneapolis City Council has proclaimed April 24, 2008 as Dining Out for
Life Day. Participating restaurants will contribute a portion of meal expenses
to the Aliveness Project <http://www.aliveness.org/index.shtml> 's work helping
people living with HIV and AIDS in Minneapolis. Last year, more than 1,450
people with HIV benefited from the Aliveness Projects services, including meal
programs, a food shelf and health care advocacy.



Last year's event rose over $112,000 from more than 22,000 diners.
Participating restaurants near the 9th Ward include Clicquot Club Caf
<http://www.clicquotclubcafe.com/> , The Craftsman
<http://www.craftsmanrestaurant.com/> , Manny's Tortas
<http://www.mannystortas.com/> , Rail Station Bar & Grill
<http://www.railstationbarandgrill.com/> , Jakeeno's Pizza & Pasta
<http://www.jakeenos.com/> , Midori's Floating World Caf
<http://floatingworldcafe.com/>  and the Riverview Caf & Wine Bar.
<http://www.theriverview.net/>



Plant a tree this spring







Clockwise from top:

 Japenese Lilac, Pagoda Dogwood, Oak, Fiesta Maple.

The City of Minneapolis and Tree Trust <http://www.treetrust.org/>  are making
a thousand trees available to Minneapolis residents to help repair some of the
damage done by storms and Dutch elm disease.



Planting a tree is the easiest way to improve the value of your property,
reduce your energy needs and improve our air and water quality. Residents can
order one tree per household, and all trees will be made available on a
first-come, first-served basis. There are five varieties to choose from:
Bicolor Oak, Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple, Pagoda Dogwood, Japanese Tree Lilac or
Welch Juniper. The cost of the tree is $25 and must be ordered by April 15.



Trees may be ordered online <http://www.treetrust.org/orderhere>  or through an
order form available at neighborhood associations and local libraries.

For more information on how to order a tree, contact Tree Trust at (651)
644-5800.











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