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Neighbors,
Our team is grieving alongside our community members of Asian and Pacific Islander descent following the murders in Atlanta this week. For our AAPI constituents, we see you, are here for you and stand in solidarity with calling out anti-Asian harm and rhetoric.
In addition to reading our newsletter, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with updates from the county and concerning District 4.
Lastly, happy Women’s History Month! Some of the most courageous and brilliant women I know are in my family, are my neighbors, are constituents.
Let’s continue to take care of each other.
In solidarity and with Wellness,
Angela Conley
 Have you been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19? Learn if you need to quarantine or isolate and for how long. https://covidcalculator.hennepin.us/welcome
Español: ¿Ha estado expuesto o ha dado positivo por COVID-19? Para saber más si necesita estar en cuarentena o en aislamiento y por cuánto tiempo. https://covidcalculator.hennepin.us/welcome
Hmoob: Koj puas tau nyob ze cov neeg raug tus kabmob los sis mus kuaj tau tus kabmob COVID? Kawm kom paub yog hais tias koj yuav tau mus nyob twj ywm rau hauv tsev los sis mus nyob hauv tsev ceev koj tus kheej thiab yuav tau nyob ntev npaum li cas. https://covidcalculator.hennepin.us/welcome
Soomaali: Ma la kulantay qof qaba amase laga helay COVID-19? Baro haddii aad u baahan tahay inaad is karantiishid ama gooni u joogtid iyo mudadu intay le’eg tahay. https://covidcalculator.hennepin.us/welcome
COVID-19 Vaccination Updates
Each week, the MN Dept of Health allocates COVID-19 vaccine doses to local public health agencies, including Hennepin County Public Health. Learn about Hennepin County’s role in vaccination and sign up to receive weekly data via email or text. https://www.hennepin.us/residents/emergencies/covid-19

Vaccine Connector Tool
Minnesota recently launched the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool that helps all Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. The Vaccine Connector is the next step of the state’s vaccination strategy to meet Minnesotans where they are and connect them to vaccine opportunities, no matter where they live or their personal circumstances.
Learn more and register yourself on the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector

Vaccine FAQ
Q: Are there any side effects from getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
A: The most common side effects are fatigue, headache, and muscle aches—most likely to occur within one or two days. Side effects are expected and are a sign that your immune system is working. Serious side effects are very rare.
More vaccine FAQs: hennepin.us/vaccinefaq
Stay the course
Stay the course and keep yourself and loved ones safe. As COVID-19 vaccines roll out, it’s as important as ever to maintain health and safety precautions for the good of everyone who calls Hennepin home.
- Mask up
- Wash your hands
- Keep your distance
- Stay home if sick
- Get the vaccine when you become eligible
Hennepin County Library Goes
Fine-Free
Hennepin County Library has officially become a fine-free library, eliminating late fines for overdue materials. If you’ve avoided the library because of old fines, now is a great time to reconnect. On March 10, all Hennepin County Library cards were reset to a $0 balance. Learn more about this change at hclib.org/finefree or visit your local library to check out your next book.
Six currently closed libraries are scheduled to reopen for Grab and Go service in March. With Grab and Go you can:
- Pick up holds
- Check out and return materials
- Get a library card
- Browse most materials
- Use a computer (assistance unavailable, 1-hour daily maximum, appointments recommended)
Meeting rooms, study rooms, children’s play areas, and lounges remain closed.
For up-to-date information on current services, locations, and hours, visit hclib.org/currentservices.
March 1
Minnetonka Library Sunday 12-5 / Monday 12-8 / Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9-5
March 2
Golden Valley Library Tuesday 12-8 / Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9-5
March 9
Roosevelt Library Tuesday 9-5 / Thursday 12-8 / Saturday 9-5
March 16
Linden Hills Library
Pierre Bottineau Library Tuesday, Wednesday 9-5 / Thursday 12-8 / Friday, Saturday 9-5
March 22
Long Lake Library Monday 12-8 / Wednesday 9-5 / Friday 9-5
Osseo Library - returns only*
St. Bonifacius Library - returns only*
*Osseo and St. Bonifacius libraries will begin accepting returns on March 22. Due to their small size, indoor capacity limits can only accommodate staff at this time. Holds pickup for items in the Osseo and St. Bonifacius collections will be available at nearby libraries.
Culturally relevant support for mothers at NorthPoint
With the name Karibu Mama Mtoto, which means “Welcome mother, baby,” in Swahili, the mission of the Karibu Mama Mtoto program at NorthPoint is clear: providing young African American women with the culturally relevant support they need to overcome the barriers they face in succeeding as mothers.
Because of the generational trauma and systemic inequities some young mothers face as African American women, they are:
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12 times more likely as children to have witnessed domestic abuse
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9 times more likely to have grown up with an incarcerated caregiver
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480 times more likely to have experienced discrimination
Empowering probation clients through volunteering and employment
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Grandmother Circles is an alternative to Sentencing to Service for women. Participants recycle old jewelry to make new jewelry. The program has a jewelry sale twice a year with profits going to a village in Africa. See the program in action on YouTube.
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Community Productive Day Construction Program provides clients with on-the-job-training. Participants earn $15 an hour while receiving training and are eligible for a full-time union job after completing training.
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Partnering with service providers tailored for women, such as include Dress for Success, Indigenous Women’s Life Net, Breaking Free, and Restoration Counseling and Community Services Women’s Program
Preventative services for pregnant women using drugs or alcohol
Project CHILD is a voluntary program that diverts families who would otherwise be at risk for child protection involvement. The program connects moms-to-be with chemical health assessments and treatment, case management and other services to improve well-being, including support from peer recovery specialists.
Of the 23 clients who completed Project CHILD in 2020, 20 gave birth to chemical-free babies and were able to keep their babies in their care at discharge.
Breastfeeding support through WIC
Peer breastfeeding counselors are providing culturally appropriate support to pregnant and postpartum women through Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Peer Breastfeeding Support Program.
Women matched with a breastfeeding peer counselor have higher breastfeeding rates compared to women without peer counseling support.
17 breastfeeding counselors are women from the community who have received breastfeeding peer services and have completed lactation and counseling training. They are available 24/7 throughout pregnancy and the baby’s first year, mainly by phone and text for convenience.
Learn more at Healthy You, Healthy Hennepin:
Tony Webster via Flickr (CC by 2.0)
Our neighbors at the U of M Twin Cities are requesting feedback on their Campus Master Plan. This is a great opportunity to let them know what is working for you in relation to the campus.
Input from this 10-minute survey will shape the future of the campus and its ability to meet the needs of students, staff, visitors, and other partners.
Please feel free to send this survey to your neighbors or other community members
Follow this link to complete the survey: z.umn.edu/umtc-neighbor.
More information about the Twin Cities Campus Master Plan, with additional ways to provide your insight, can be found at: z.umn.edu/campusmasterplan.
Did your license or ID expire during the pandemic? Be sure to renew before the expiration extension ends March 31.
Appointments are required for in-person services. In many cases, you can renew easily online.
Learn more about renewing your license.
In February, the county board awarded $1.6 million of Environmental Response Fund grants to clean up contaminated sites where environmental costs hinder site improvements.
Projects supported by ERF grants provide a variety of community benefits, including creating affordable and moderately priced housing, supporting economic development, developing green space, and making infrastructure improvements. Many ERF grants address environmental contamination in communities with significant disparities in health, including low income areas and communities of color. Some of these sites become a catalyst for new development in neighboring areas, which can help address racial disparities in housing, employment, and income.
As a major economic center for 150 years, the county has a concentration of contaminated sites. Much of this contamination was caused by chemical spills or improper disposal of hazardous waste prior to the existence of environmental regulations. These improper disposal practices of the past can still cause soil and groundwater pollution that present environmental risks today.
Learn more about the Environmental Response Fund and see a list of grant recipients at www.hennepin.us/ERF
In February, the county board reaffirmed the county's commitment to helping families stay safe from lead poisoning by allocating $2.2 million toward lead hazard reduction and healthy homes mitigation.
Homeowners and landlords may be eligible for help to detect and remove lead paint including:
- A free home test
- Up to $12,000 for work, including new windows
Find out more and see if you qualify.
Even though winter is not officially behind us, residents will see crews working on various county roads starting this month. Much of the March work will be preliminary activities, such as removing trees for major construction projects. And crews will begin spring maintenance activities like filling potholes and sweeping roads.
To help residents get a clearer picture of major projects and activities that will be happening throughout the year, Public Works has developed an online map that allows you to zero in on projects in each district. The map is categorized so you can focus on the types of projects that most interest you. As noted in the map, these projects and activities are subject to change. Check it out for yourself now: https://arcg.is/vCSKj
Join this Saturday! Light refreshments and snacks provided while community gathers at Green Central. Mask up and follow COVID safety protocols.
Vision: Central neighborhood is a safe, clean, vibrant community, where all residents are active participants, united in strengthening the quality of life and economic stability of the neighborhood.
Meet your neighbors and CANDO Board members. Spring is coming and this a wonderful way to celebrate while engaging with your community! There will be supplies but please bring your own if you have it.
We NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!! Please Donate to the C-Spot the need is still very great!!!!
Please visit the Corcoran Neighborhood Facebook for additional information.
NENA Food Truck Rally & Fundraiser - End Food Insecurity in Nokomis East
 Join NENA and your neighbors, Saturday, April 17th 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., for the second Food Truck Rally & Fundraiser! There will be something for everyone in the family.
Fundraising Campaign - Help End Food Security in Nokomis East
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, the needs of community members are changing too. We will be raising donations for NENA's Free Food Distribution project which has donated over 600,000 pounds of food and supplies since July.
$5.00 or more is the suggested donation per group to attend the event. No one will be turned away.
More Food Trucks, Live Music, and Lots of Socially-Distanced Fun!
Contact us
Angela Conley Commissioner, 4th District
Binta Kanteh Policy Director 612-348-5204
Shanese Reed District Outreach and Scheduler 612-348-3204
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