Hello Community Partners and Leaders,
In a world where connection is more important than ever, community engagement plays a vital role in fostering community relationships driving change and creating a sense of belonging.
"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." - Mattie Stepanek
Grants/Business Opportunities
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Board is soliciting applications for grant funding for new and incumbent worker training programs. MJSP will accept applications for the Partnership and Pathways Programs. In addition, applications for Pre-Development grants for the Partnership Program will be considered.
Request for Proposals
Regular Partnership and Pathways grant applications must be received via email by 4:30 p.m., Central Time, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Short Form and Pre-Development applications must be received via email by 4:30 p.m., Central Time, on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Proposals should be submitted to deed.mjsp@state.mn.us as one file, including attachments, in pdf format.
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is available for interpreting instructions or preparing applications. Contact: Jodie Greising, 651-259-7517, Jodie.greising@state.mn.us
The STEP program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets.
Participants may be first-time exporters or companies that are currently exporting but are interested in expanding into new international markets.
Financial Assistance Available
Small businesses may apply for reimbursement of up to $500 for export-training that will result in the development of an export strategy or up to $7,500 for approved export-development activities, including:
- Participation in trade missions
- Exhibiting at trade shows or industry-specific events
- Translation of marketing materials
- Development of foreign language websites
- Gold Key or other business matchmaking services
- Company-specific international sales activities
- Testing and certification (such as CE marking) required to sell products in foreign markets
Eligibility
Eligible companies must fit the SBA definition of a small business, based on annual sales or number of employees, and:
- Have been in operation for at least one year
- Be operating profitably, based on U.S. operations
- Have an understanding of the costs associated with exporting
- Have a strategic plan for exporting (unless applying for an export-planning grant)
Activities must be pre-approved in order to be eligible for reimbursement. Companies may not apply for reimbursement for activities that have already taken place.
Eligible companies must also have products or services that are appropriate for the target market and must agree to participate in surveys and provide information on program outcomes.
How to Apply
Applications will be evaluated by a review committee on a competitive basis as they are received and proposals must be submitted by the applicant electronically. Applicants can submit an electronic copy of their application and proposal to Jackie Geiger, Minnesota Trade Office, at Jackie.geiger@state.mn.us.
Employment Opportunities
The City of Brooklyn Park is Hiring!
Volunteer Opportunities
Food Distribution
Food Distribution to families in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. Volunteers Needed!
- Every Saturday, 11am-2pm
- Location: 5901 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center
For more information, please contact: Denise Togbah, Task Force Inc.
- Phone: (952) 607-1681
- Email:
Volunteer for the Brooklyn Park Charter Commission
Applications will be accepted through April 15
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Five openings, City At-Large Applications will be accepted through April 15, 2024.
No experience Is necessary to join the Charter Commission - only your commitment to building a strong, vibrant Brooklyn Park! All qualified voters who are residents of Brooklyn Park are eligible to participate.
Appointments are made by the Chief Judge of Hennepin County District Court.
Members: 11 citizens, and 1 city staff Liaison
Term: Four years
Meets: 2nd Wednesday of every month, 7:00 p.m.
Time commitment: About 3 hours per month
The Charter Commission...
- Studies the City of Brooklyn Park's charter and makes recommendations to the City Council if improvements are needed
- Determines if the city's charter guidelines are keeping up with the needs of the community
- Is responsible for monitoring the City's Home Rule Charter. The Charter is like the Constitution for Municipal Governments
- Is one of 107 cities governed by a Home Rule Charter
- Periodically reviews the Charter and recommends necessary amendments to the City Council that does not conflict with state law
- Has the authority to submit proposed amendments to the voters
- Addresses election issues, Mayor and Council powers and procedures, taxation and finance procedures, and miscellaneous provisions related to the official newspaper, acquisition and sale of property and other general provisions
Questions?
Devin Montero devin.montero@brooklynpark.org
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Health
 Annual renewals for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare restarted in 2023 and CEAP is hosting a renewal event with Portico Healthnet on April 18 from 11am-3pm in our Community Room!
Appointments are required for this event and renewal assistance will be available in multiple languages.
COVID-19 in Minnesota
Take these steps to protect yourself and others:
- Stay up to date on your COVID-19 Vaccine. Recommended for ages 6 months and older, the vaccine will protect you against serious illness. Even if you were vaccinated in the past, you may still need the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. This latest vaccine provides protection from the newer variants circulating in our communities right now.
- Stay at home when you are sick. Take care of yourself and those around you by staying home (away from others) if you have symptoms like a cough, sore throat, sneezing, or fever.
- Take a COVID-19 test when needed. It is important to get tested if you have symptoms or were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If you test positive and are at higher risk, medications are available. The medications are most effective within 5 days of when symptoms begin, which is why you should get tested.
- Be mindful every day. Frequently wash your hands and cover coughs to keep germs from spreading.
Additional resources
Find prevention tips on Protect Yourself and Others: COVID-19.
See hospitalization data for flu, COVID-19, and RSV on Viral Respiratory Illness in Minnesota.
Youth
 Young Adult Mentorship Program
Our Employed & Empowered mentorship group is for adults aged 18-24 in the community. You can sign up for the FREE mentoring program HERE. The group meets every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Zanewood Recreation Center.
Summer Camp Registration
Registration for summer camps in Brooklyn Park are underway. All camp options are open for registration, this includes our youth camps at the Community Activity Center, Northwoods, Norwood, Willowstone, Teen Camps, and Preschool Camps at Historic Eidem Farm.
You can register in three ways:
1. In person at the Community Activity Center
2. Over the phone at 763-493-8333
3. Online HERE
As a reminder, we do have fee assistance and scholarships available, you can learn more HERE
Youth Sports
We have several new youth sports open for registration with classes beginning in February, March, and April. Lil' Tykes and Tiny Tot sports will begin in February. Pee Wee sports, youth soccer, and youth basketball will begin in March. Youth gymnastics will begin in April. Check out all of our offerings HERE and register today!
Upcoming Community Events
 Farmers Market Seeking Vendors
Calling produce and craft vendors!
Vendor Applications for the Brooklyn Park Farmers Market are now available.
The market runs Wednesdays from 1-6 p.m., starting July 10 to October 09. Located at North Hennepin Community College parking lot.
Applications are due March 26 at 11:59 p.m. Vendors will be notified of their status by April 12.
 Adults on the Move Guide
The newest edition of our Adults on the Move Guide is out. Check out all the upcoming events and programs you can participate in. Upcoming Events:
Medicare 101 Informational Presentation Understand your Medicare options during a Medicare 101 educational webinar hosted by Guy Milbert, AAA Long-Term Care & Health Specialist. Register 2 business days prior to the presentation.
April 9: 9:30-10:30 a.m. - ONLINE April 10: 6-7 p.m. - Community Activity Center RSVP HERE
Register for upcoming events and programs HERE
 Swim Assessment Day - Monday, March 18
Our next Swim Level Assessment Day is set for Monday, March 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Brooklyn Middle School. Swim level assessment day is for new and returning families (ages 3-12) looking to be assessed on their swimming skills. Swimmers will then be given the appropriate swim level to register for based on our program’s affiliation with the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program.
Join us Monday, March 18th at the Brooklyn Middle School Pool – 7377 Noble Ave N. Brooklyn Park 55443.
Register for a 15-minute time slot between 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Please arrive 10 minutes before your registered time to check-in and utilize the locker room. Be sure to pack your swimsuit, towel, and goggles as needed! You can register HERE
Questions? Contact: Cassidy.wester@brooklynpark.org
 CEAP March Food Drive
We support CEAP, our community safety net! CEAP's food assistance programs - Food Market, Meals on Wheels, and Mobile Market - meet each neighbor where they are with the nutritional support and community connections they need and want. This spring, the City of Brooklyn Park is supporting CEAP by hosting a food drive from March 1-29. You can drop off food to donate at City Hall and the Community Activity Center
Community Game Nights
Come join us for community game nights! Game nights take place at Waycross Church every other week on Thursday evenings. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for neighbors to meet each other and build relationships. Several people from our community gather at Waycross Church to play games and visit. We play card games and board games, and some people just enjoy getting together and visiting with each other.
Location: Waycross Church, 7733 West River Road, Brooklyn Park
Upcoming Dates: March 14, March 28, April 11, April 25, May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20
Time: 7 – 8 pm
Website: https://www.waycrossevangelicalchurch.com
Contact Information: waycrosschurch@gmail.com
Join us Tuesday, April 23 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. for a community meeting at the Brooklyn Park Library for the Blue Line Extension project. Project staff would like to meet with residents in Brooklyn Park to share project updates, project plans advancing info further design, environmental impacts, project benefits, and answer any question they may have about the project.
Details: BlueLineExt.org/Community-Engagement/Meetings
Contact Community Engagement
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If you have any questions or if you have information you’d like to share with this list, please let me know! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or if you’d like to be removed from this list.
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