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As August settles in, it's a time of reaping the rewards of your hard work. The summer vegetables you've nurtured are now ready for harvest. It's a perfect opportunity to celebrate not only the abundance of the season but also the efforts you've dedicated to your gardens. Beyond the gardens, let's also take a moment to reflect on the progress we've made in improving our communities. Your dedication and involvement have played a significant role in making Ramsey County a better place to live.
With the year progressing well, there's a sense of accomplishment and optimism as we head towards the future. Let's continue to work together and finish this year strong. The path ahead is promising, and the future of our district shines brightly. Thank you for your ongoing commitment and hard work.
Best regards,
Rena
County Board Workshops
Most weeks, our County Board meets to discuss specific policy issues and receive updates from County Departments and Service Teams in our Board Workshops.
Workshops and discussions are held on Tuesdays and are open to the public. These take place at the Saint Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse in Suite 220 (2nd floor). You can find the schedule for all upcoming board meetings, workshops, and discussions sessions below.
Recent workshops include: look up all of workshops and place here:
You can access video recordings of the meetings as well as the materials shared by clicking here.
You can watch upcoming workshops live by clicking here.
 Rethinking I-94 is and has been a long-term effort to engage with those who live, work, and play along the corridor between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Met Council is working to be more intentional and understand the needs and hopes of people, so their work builds and sustains healthy, equitable communities along I-94. Sixty years ago without being inclusive, the building of I-94 devastated communities, and those impacts are still felt today.
I share my commitment to always be a good listener, to bring your voices to these meetings and invite you to attend these meetings, send Met Council your ideas and suggestions to ensure this project is bringing your ideas and thoughts of District 4 into every process or solution that is being brought forth by Met Council.
The initiative to re-think Highway I-94 involves collaboration among various stakeholders, including city officials, urban planners, historians, activists, and community members. I highlighted the collaborative nature of this effort, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary expertise to ensure that the resulting changes are comprehensive and well-informed.
As conversations about re-imagining Highway I-94 continue, my insights on what happen to the Rondo Community sixty years ago shed light on the significance of this endeavor. By placing community engagement, historical preservation, and equity at the forefront of the re-design process, there is hope that this initiative will not only possibly reshape the physical infrastructure but also heal historical wounds and foster a more inclusive urban landscape for generations to come.
   In an ongoing effort to work to reduce disparities within the Black community I have been meeting with Community based organizations in partnership with Ramsey County Workforce Development team, to engage with trusted leaders to foster growth and development, that supports better outcomes for our youth. This meeting, focused on the expertise of the community based organizations. .
I spent time listening to CBO(s) to learn what they are doing, the impact they are having and what is needed to create success with our young adults. Knowing that our youth are dealing with adult problems it is vital that the resources align with that fact.
The discussion highlighted the importance of equipping our young residents with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in their chosen paths. With the collective effort of dedicated community leaders and Ramsey County Workforce Development resources, we can work toward reducing the disparities within the community and thus create safer streets. CBO(s) stated they are committed to nurturing a generation of empowered and capable individuals.
The engagement with community leaders emphasized the significance of collaboration in ensuring the success of our youth and by coming together, we can identify and leverage the wealth of resources within Ramsey County to connect youth to invaluable learning experiences, mentorship, and pathways to promising careers.
As we work towards a brighter future for our communities, the community leaders will continue to prioritize the growth and success of our youth. Through intentional conversations and strategic partnerships, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more vibrant Ramsey County.
   Community engagement and understanding the vital work of local organizations are crucial aspects of effective governance. I recently had the opportunity to visit the American Indian Family Center in St. Paul. This visit provided valuable insights into the center's impactful efforts and the positive change it brings to the community.
The center's staff shared their approach to providing holistic support that respects and integrates cultural traditions. I expressed admiration for the center's commitment to preserving and honoring Native American heritage while offering resources that help community members thrive in today's society.
The importance of mutual understanding and collaboration between the local government and community organizations benefits everyone. By visiting and engaging with the American Indian Family Center, I witnessed the commitment to working together towards positive change.
    After a challenging period of isolation and uncertainty due to the pandemic, the spirit of community engagement and togetherness is shining brightly once again. I recently embarked on a trek of National Night Out events across District 4. The journey highlighted the resilience of local neighborhoods and the joy of reconnecting with fellow residents.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The significance of building trust and open lines of communication between residents and law enforcement personnel cannot be measured. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, this year's events took on a special significance, as neighbors came together to celebrate unity, safety, and the strong bonds that define their communities.
I noted that the events included neighbors sharing laughter, conversations, and a renewed sense of belonging. It was a celebration of good food and the sound of children playing. It was an evening filled with smiles.
    Partnerships between community organizations and local government play a crucial role in driving public and private partnerships in positive change.
I had the honor of attending the Sundance Family Foundation's 20th Anniversary Celebration, marking two decades of impactful work in our community. The celebration was an opportunity to acknowledge the foundation's contributions, including a generous $50,000 contribution to Ramsey County's Workforce Development efforts under the leadership of Ling Becker.
For the past 20 years, the Sundance Family Foundation has been dedicated to empowering families and improving the lives of children in our community. Through a range of initiatives, grants, and partnerships, the foundation has consistently demonstrated its commitment to creating a brighter future for all.
Sundance Family Foundation's commitment to investing in workforce development aligns with my vision of a stronger and more vibrant community. The foundation's contributions will contribute to bridging gaps, enhancing skills, and creating pathways to economic empowerment for individuals and families in Ramsey County.
In the coming days, we’ll begin hosting a series of public meetings to present the alternatives and answer questions directly from members of the public. In doing so, we’re aiming to make these events as convenient as possible for the community to attend. We’ll be hosting the following events.
- In person in St. Paul at the Rondo Community Library Thursday 9/14 from 7:30 to 9:30 am, 11 am to 2:30 pm and 6 to 7:30 pm.
Ramsey County Library honored as Minnesota's Best: A celebration of dedication and excellence
 August 2023
Ramsey County food security efforts center equity to improve health and wellbeing by advancing food accessibility, autonomy and affordability to create a sustainable and resilient future that allows communities to thrive.
Learn how Ramsey County facilitated a Food Security Needs Assessment using qualitative and quantitative data to support food security. The assessment was rooted in community engagement and included broad stakeholder input from partners across the food system. The presentation will include questions and discussion.
Registration is required.
 Climate Justice: Alignment with Food Security
Join the Ramsey County Climate Action Council
Nobody is immune to the impacts of climate change, but due to the compounding effects of racism and oppression, underrecognized communities, especially racially and ethnically diverse communities of color in Ramsey County face more severe and frequent negative impacts on health, safety and well-being in relation to climate change. We invite members of traditionally underrepresented groups to join the county’s climate action advisory council. This group will meet every two months to hear an update on the county’s climate response work and provide guidance on next steps. All ages are welcome, and a meal and compensation will be provided to participants.
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Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge
Stop food waste, save money, feed your family, become a better cook, fight climate change
We love food, which leaves us wondering: why do we let so much of it go to waste? About 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain, and you may be surprised to learn that much of that food waste happens at home.
Food waste costs each of us a significant amount of money, not to mention the resources that go into producing and transporting our food. By taking the Stop Food Waste Challenge, we can save money, fight climate change, provide for our families, and improve our cooking skills.
The challenge goes throughout the month of August and has more than 60 actions to choose from to help you focus on what has the biggest impact for your household. You will get email updates with resources and tips for taking action, access to workshops and events hosted by Stop Food Waste Challenge partners, and opportunities to connect with others.
Funding Opportunities for Organizations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering Food Waste Reduction Funding opportunities.
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Questions about this newsletter? Please contact the Food Security Coordinator Carissa Dillon
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