• Ryan also asked for our participation in Hooked on Books on February 21, 9:00 AM to noon, at Chanhassen High School.  We will be supporting the free book give-away.  This is an all-community event that celebrates literacy and fun activities and many different arts.  Signed up: Neil Wingert, Gretchen Oppriecht, Ken Hiller, Dan Keyport, Dave Pokorney, Gary Hardel, Matt Szybnski, Robin Nesburg.  The preparatory labeling party will occur on Jan. 20, 1-3 PM, at Chaska’s Family Learning Center, 110600 Village Rd, Chaska, MN 55318.   LINK.
• Sheryl Hough channeled our holiday spirit and the opportunity to exercise our sense of humor when we participate in our Auction at our Dec. 18 meeting.  Bring a wrapped present, let everyone guess who brought it, write a witty note that should invite curiosity and the willingness to spend money to open it.  Sheryl claims that we can raise $5,000 if we try hard.  Fanciful holiday wear is encouraged.

FINEMASTER and HAPPY DOLLARS:

Vic Benetti took on the role of Finemaster and quickly fined Matt Podhradsky, then Gretchen, then Phil Solseng, Dan, Erin and John Roebke (in absentia).  Once upon a time, Vic did this every meeting for a full year, and if we knew how to behave ourselves, we let Vic know we appreciated his efforts.

With the nostalgia generated by Vic, Happy Dollars came from Neil, Gretchen, Lindey Hagen, Wayne Ward, Ken and Matt.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Ken Hiller described the Rotary Foundation Grant program that is managed by one of our club’s committees.  One thousand dollars was earmarked for donation for this fiscal year.  One $500 grant has been directed to a safe water project in Darou Salaam Lew in Senegal, with leadership provided by Maple Grove Rotary.  About 4,300 people will benefit from this $77K project.  A local community-led committee will be trained in the operation and maintenance of a groundwater well.  Hygiene and sanitation education will be delivered, and a local Rotary club will serve as a host partner to ensure transparency, oversight and accountability throughout the project’s lifecycle.

One of the criteria for selecting this project from our limited funds is that there is an opportunity for “boots on the ground” contribution of work by our club members.  Please talk with Ken Hiller if you are interested in participating.

Dan Keyport presented the flag from the Santo Domingo Rotary Club in the Dominican Republic.  He and Ken Hiller acquired the flag during a visit to a Foundation-funded water project.

Meanwhile, in other news, we learned that our New Zealand exchange student Bre McQuade has become engaged and is planning on a 2028 wedding.

YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT: Ane Otsby

Ane proudly recalled she helped make lefse and had to endure our disbelief that she hadn’t experienced this joy previously.  Following one of the recent snow events, Ane had some managerial experience and watched her host brother shovel snow.  With our morning weather providing our first sub-zero temperature of the season, Ane let us know that her part of Norway is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and doesn’t get this cold. (LINK to learn about the Norway Current.)  Erin Kerber indicated that Ane was going to need a more suitable coat!

Presentation: Chaska Inn Project - Dave Pokorney, Jill Engeswick, Molly Koivumaki

Dave Pokorney introduced the presentation about The Inn of Chaska and the two other presenters: Molly Koivumaki and Jill Engeswick from Beyond New Beginnings.  The Inn of Chaska will be a four-unit residence consisting of 2-bedroom homes occupied by young mothers.  Its construction will be funded by The Community Asset Foundation and donations that will enable it to be debt-free when completed.

The Community Asset Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Chaska and is committed to working closely with community groups and the cities to develop quality projects that meet the local identified needs.  LINK.

HISTORY: Over 40 years ago, the New Beginnings program was established by the school district to support pregnant or parenting students committed to continuing their education.  This successful academic program led young mothers to complete their high school requirements.  Started in 2019, Beyond New Beginnings continued the process of providing the life-skills learning, resources and counselling for young mothers to build a safe and productive life with their children.  After much work by community leaders and the Carver County Community Development Agency, a renovated four-plex was made available for housing that helped achieve those goals. LINK. 

We viewed a video that illustrated the value delivered to the community and the participants of Beyond New Beginnings.  Dave, Jill and Molly explained THE NEED.  In Minnesota alone: the Wilder Foundation reported that on any given night in 2023, 2,962 children and their parents were homeless.  At Chaska’s Beyond New Beginnings program, staff frequently work with 6 to 9 young mothers and their children who lack stable housing.  This underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

The vision is to build a four-unit affordable housing complex in downtown Chaska, near the Beyond New Beginnings facility.  The goal is simple but powerful: to ensure that no young mother is left without a warm and secure place to stay on a cold winter night in Chaska. LINK to information about The Inn of Chaska.

The project will be structured to guarantee its sustainability, with permanent use and a viable income stream to support ongoing operations.  Residents will receive comprehensive case management services through the Beyond New Beginnings program, focusing on young moms navigating the challenges of parenthood and giving hope for a brighter future. 

The Inn of Chaska represents a broad community collaboration, operated by experienced housing professionals and supported by local organizations offering services such as meals, mental health support, employment training, and housing assistance.

Donations to the Inn of Chaska qualify for an 85% Minnesota income tax credit. For example, a $5,000 donation would reduce the donor's state income tax liability by $4,250, bringing the out-of-pocket cost to less than $800.

For more information about donating, please contact Bob Roepke at 612-414-1284.  Jill Engeswick is the Program Director.  Molly Koivumaki is the Executive Director.  Contact with them is through the website Contact Us - Beyond New Beginnings.

Coincidentally, gingerbread reminders of the comfort that can come from housing were placed on each of the tables provided by the Crown of Glory church membership.