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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2026 Minnesota Legislature will adjourn at midnight on Monday, May 18. It remains my focus, and that of my board colleagues and staff, to work with legislative partners to ensure a future for Hennepin Healthcare Systems (HCMC and its clinics). Many thanks for your support of the hospital. If you have not yet had the chance, please let your legislators know how important this regional asset is to you.
While I’m here, I want to thank my peers at the Association of Minnesota Counties. I serve on the board of this organization, an important space for statewide collaboration on a host of issues. This year one of AMC’s focuses has been on state computer systems modernization. County clients are not best served when state systems require data entry into DOS-era computer programs.
With summer on the way, I've represented the needs of Minneapolis and St. Louis Park communities in a series of working groups focused on keeping our communities safe and connecting neighbors to services. I look forward to providing an update on service outreach coordination, housing, and safety later this month.
Read on to learn about:
- In-home family childcare licensing resource fair
- The new HennepinCounty.gov website
- Applications for Spring Youth Activities Grant
- 2026 household hazardous waste collection events
- City cleanup events + donating building materials
My best,
We’re building a diverse and inclusive child care community with people like you! Our resource fair is for in-home family child care providers and those interested in becoming licensed to learn more about the licensing process and connect with community resources that can help you improve and market your business.
Application fees waived for new applicants!
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Saturday, May 16, 1 – 3 p.m.
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Ridgedale Library Community Rooms, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
Join us for resources, refreshments, and more. Get your fire extinguishers serviced for a fee.
Hennepin County’s redesigned website puts users at the center to support an engaged, empowered, and informed community. It’s simpler to navigate, easier to understand, and built to help you quickly find the services and information you need. Thank you to the community members and expert partners who helped us reimagine and test the site so it can better serve everyone.
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Play areas: awards up to $300,000
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Equipment: awards up to $10,000
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Arts & music: awards up to $25,000
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Lifeguard services: awards up to $50,000
Approximately 1.3 million dollars have been allocated for this grant cycle. The number of awards will be based on requests received and availability of funding.
Applications close May 7.
All grant opportunities have been combined into one RFA and one grant application form.
Events will take place Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
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May 1 and 2 at the Minnetonka Public Works Department
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July 10 and 11 in Minneapolis at Jenny Lind Elementary School
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August 7 and 8 in Minneapolis at Sullivan STEAM School
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October 2 and 3 in Orono at the Hennepin County Public Works Orono Shop
Before you go, check the website for safety guidelines and the list of acceptable materials.
Swap-It Events
Bring gently used items you no longer need. Take home stuff you can use. Swap it–for free!
Swap-it events are a fun, sustainable way to reduce waste, share resources, build community, and support local reuse efforts. You don’t have to bring anything to take something home. Everyone is welcome to participate.
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Outdoor gear: Saturday, May 2 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Rockford Road Library, Crystal
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Sports equipment: Tuesday, June 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Plymouth Community Center, Plymouth
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Building materials: Thursday, July 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.at Veterans Memorial Park, Richfield
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School supplies: Saturday, August 15 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Early drop-off begins one hour before event start time (no swapping); final items accepted 30 minutes before event ends. Remaining items will be donated to event partners.
Have used building materials and tools laying around? Don't throw them out—Donate!
The following city clean-up days are also an opportunity to donate usable building materials to Better Futures MN. They will be onsite to vet all materials for quality and potential resale.
Events are open to city residents.
Upcoming City cleanup + donate building materials events
Visit city websites for guidelines and contact information.
Furniture and building material donation events
Renovating? Just finished a big home project? Donate your quality used furniture, mattresses, and building materials for reuse to local organizations, Better Futures MN and Bridging at one of these events. All materials will be vetted onsite for quality and potential for resale and redistribution.
Upcoming Furniture and building donation events
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Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at Robbinsdale Public Works, Robbinsdale
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Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at Hennepin County Public Works, Medina
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Furniture only—Saturday, August 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at Donaldson Park, Richfield
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Saturday, September 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at Brooklyn Park Operations, Brooklyn Park
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Saturday, September 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at St. Louis Park Municipal Service Center, St. Louis Park
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