2014 Summer Newsletter - Sabathani Community Center

Dear Friends of Sabathani,
SABATHANI COMMUNITY CENTER
310 E. 38TH STREET, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55409
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE / SUITE 200
Sabathani Community
Center
is pleased
PHONE
/ 612-821-2300
expenses. A self-addressed
FAX operating
/ 612-823-7998
to present our quarterly
newsletter, Fusion.
WWW.SABATHANI.ORG
envelope is enclosed for your convenience.
The information contained in Fusion will
Your support will help us further our
keep you informed about what is new and
mission of providing people of all ages
exciting at the center and ways you can
and cultures with essential resources that
get involved.
Founded
in 1966 by African American
community members, Sabathani
To help us
further
ourismission,
Community
Center’s
logo
made up Sabathani
of the
colors
of
the
Pan-African
flag. in-kind
needs your volunteer support,
The three Pan-African colors on the
contribution (see Wish List) and/or a cash
flag represent:
donation. If you have a particular program
RED:
the blood
thatwould
uniteslike
all people
or project
you
to support,
of Black African ancestry, and shed
designate which one(s) you would
forplease
liberation;
like your donation to support. If you
BLACK: black people whose existence
do not select a specific program, your
as a nation, though not a nation-state,
contribution
used inofsupport
is affirmed
by thebe
existence
the flag; of general
and
inspire them to improve their lives and
build a thriving community.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Sincerely,
wish list
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
Back-To-School SuppliesU.S. POSTAGE
PAID
(pens, pencils, paper, 3-ring binders/
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Trapper Keepers, folders, glue, crayons,
PERMIT NO. 876
notebooks, scissors, rulers, backpacks,)
Volunteers
food shelf, clothing closet,
tutors, special events
Children’s Clothing
Sizes 6-14
Junior
Sizes 4-16
Cindy Booker
Men’s Clothing
All Sizes
Cindy Booker
Interim Executive Director
Men’s and Women’s
Plus Size Clothing
14-24, 1x-5x
Please contact the Family Resources
Department at 612-821-2396 for
details on where to drop off donations.
GREEN: the abundant natural wealth of Africa.
SABATHANI COMMUNITY CENTER SUMMER 2014 volume 1 issue 1
in this issue:
Sabathani Welcomes
New Executive Director
Marionne Robbins Celebrates
The Board of Directors of Sabathani
100th Birthday
Community Center is pleased to announce
the appointment of Cindy Booker as the
Food Shelf Converts to Choice Model
organization’s new Executive Director. She
and Upgrades Clothing Shelf
transitioned from the role of Interim E.D.
on July 14, 2014.
Horizons Summer Youth Program
“The Board is confident in Booker’s
Combats Bullying
leadership qualities and capacity to
Dear Friends of Sabathani,
SABATHANI COMMUNITY CENTER
310 E. 38TH STREET, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55409
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE / SUITE 200
Sabathani Community
Center
is pleased
PHONE
/ 612-821-2300
expenses. A self-addressed
FAX operating
/ 612-823-7998
to present our quarterly
newsletter, Fusion.
WWW.SABATHANI.ORG
envelope is enclosed for your convenience.
The information contained in Fusion will
Your support will help us further our
keep you informed about what is new and
mission of providing people of all ages
exciting at the center and ways you can
and cultures with essential resources that
get involved.
Founded
in 1966 by African American
community members, Sabathani
To help us
further
ourismission,
Community
Center’s
logo
made up Sabathani
of the
colors
of
the
Pan-African
flag. in-kind
needs your volunteer support,
The three Pan-African colors on the
contribution (see Wish List) and/or a cash
flag represent:
donation. If you have a particular program
RED:
the blood
thatwould
uniteslike
all people
or project
you
to support,
of Black African ancestry, and shed
designate which one(s) you would
forplease
liberation;
like your donation to support. If you
BLACK: black people whose existence
do not select a specific program, your
as a nation, though not a nation-state,
contribution
used inofsupport
is affirmed
by thebe
existence
the flag; of general
and
GREEN: the abundant natural wealth of Africa.
inspire them to improve their lives and
build a thriving community.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Sincerely,
wish list
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
Back-To-School SuppliesU.S. POSTAGE
PAID
(pens, pencils, paper, 3-ring binders/
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Trapper Keepers, folders, glue, crayons,
PERMIT NO. 876
manage organizational change,” revealed
Spring Fling
Renee McDavid, Board Chair. “She is certain
EHDI Begins 3rd Year of
to be a stabilizing force and change agent
Eliminating Health Disparities
for the organization and a valuable asset to
South Minneapolis.”
notebooks, scissors, rulers, backpacks,)
Booker assumed the position of Interim
Copywriter:
Volunteers
food shelf, clothing closet,
tutors, special events
Colnese M. Hendon
Executive Director of Sabathani Community Center in November 2013. Since
Development Manager
assuming the position, she has helped to maintain relationships with funders, increase
transparency with the board, and empower staff to use more quantitative metrics.
Children’s Clothing
Sizes 6-14
“It is a privilege and an honor to be appointed to serve in the capacity of Executive
Junior
Sizes 4-16
as Interim E.D. has deepened my commitment to serve the community in new and
Cindy Booker
Men’s Clothing
All Sizes
Cindy Booker
Interim Executive Director
Men’s and Women’s
Plus Size Clothing
14-24, 1x-5x
Please contact the Family Resources
Department at 612-821-2396 for
details on where to drop off donations.
Director for Sabathani Community Center,” said Booker. “My tenure on the Board and
exciting ways. I look forward to leading the organization into the future.”
THE HEART OF SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS
Marionne Robbins Celebrates 100th Birthday
Sabathani’s Senior Center in 1979 when
Marionne Robbins’ 100th birthday
she retired from Northern States Power
marks the sixth centenarian birthday
Company after 34 years of dedicated
celebrated by the Senior Center in recent
service. Robbins’ countless contributions
years. As a greater number of people
to the program include:
in the community served by Sabathani
• Forming Sabathani’s Senior Breakfast
Club;
• Launching Sabathani’s Red Hat
Society Chapter in 2004, Royal Red Hat
Sabathanettes;
On July 1st, Senior Center participants,
• Serving as the “Sunshine Lady” of
Community Center are living longer due
to healthier, more active and engaged
lifestyles, the Senior Center is looking
forward to celebrating many more 100th
and an active participant in the Senior
Center,” recalls Georgia Marinkov-
allowing participants more dignity by making their own selections, and improving
to bring awareness to family, friends,
overall efficiencies. Previously staff and volunteers made food selections and packed
change agents and concerned others. The
food cartons for clients.
goals of the theater project are to help
youth identify resolutions to the issue
of bullying in order to turn negatives
into positives and to shed light on their
“Sabathani’s new choice model offers a more respectful way to distribute food to
people in need,” said Sandra Richardson, Family Resources Program Manager.
“Choosing healthy foods that meet an individual or family’s dietary, religious, and/or
cultural preferences helps to preserve dignity, as well as culture.”
The clothing shelf is also being
expanded and upgraded through
professionals, and community residents
space renovations that include
will be invited to participate in a post-
additional shelving and clothing
performance discussion about bullying to
racks. These upgrades allow the
further explore the lessons learned.
clothing shelf to provide more
the lives of the seniors served through
Robbins’ 100th birthday.
model of distributing emergency food is based on providing healthier food choices,
will create a montage of theatrical scenes
issue. Elected officials, youth-serving
seniors.
became a wonderful community volunteer
is converting to a “Participant Choice Model.” The decision to change the program’s
the topic of bullying. Youth participants
come together to help resolve this critical
including Senator Jeff Hayden, DFL
member, gathered to celebrate Marionne
Sabathani’s emergency food shelf, a component of the Family Resources Program,
to write, produce, and showcase a play on
The Senior Center offers an array of
program components geared to enhancing
“After she retired in 1979, Marionne
is partnering with CrossRoads Panorama
experiences so the adults in their lives can
U-Meet-Us to visit sick and shut-in
Minneapolis 8th Ward City Council
This summer the Horizons Youth Program
Food Shelf Converts
to Choice Model
birthdays in the future.
program staff, and public officials,
District 62, and Elizabeth Glidden,
Horizons Summer
Youth Program
Combats Bullying
socialization, education, and improved
health. These include nurse’s clinic,
foot clinics, health screenings, aerobic
exercise, and dance classes, which
To further highlight the importance of
clothing to families in need.
peaceful conflict resolution, the children/
The community is invited to help
independent longer and enjoy their lives.
youth will also organize a Peace Parade
us celebrate the grand re-opening
highlighted by her love of family and
For further information about activities,
to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
of Sabathani’s food shelf and
service to the community.”
please contact the Senior Center at
philosophy of non-violence. They will
clothing closet in the fall. Watch
create signs with peaceful messages and
for the date on our web page
march from Sabathani Community Center
(www.sabathani.org)!
Robbins was born in Sioux City, Iowa, July
Omorean, Senior Center Manager.
4, 1914. She and her family moved to
“She has led an outstanding life,
Minneapolis in 1921 when she was seven
years old. Robbins became involved with
support seniors in their quest to remain
612-821-2306 or Georgia MarinkovOmorean, Program Manager,
612 821-2307/gmo@sabathani.org.
to Martin Luther King Park on Wednesday,
August 20th.
For further information,
contact Sandra Richardson,
Horizons Youth Program provides out-
Program Manager, at 612-821-2397
of-school-time academic support, STEM
or srichardson@sabathani.org.
curriculum, homework assistance, and
enrichment activities for children and
Spring Fling
youth ages five to 14 years old. Cross
Sabathani’s 2nd annual Spring Fling brought together a multi-cultural
with positive live-long learning experiences
On July 1, 2014, Sabathani’s Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (EHDI) began
group of adults and children to promote exercise and healthy eating.
that will empower purpose, self-worth and
its third year of working to reduce health disparities in the areas of diabetes, teen
The purpose of the annual event is to help community members
change.
pregnancy, unintentional injuries and violence. Sabathani is partnering with the
embrace a healthier lifestyle. Through our James G. Cook Health
Minnesota Internship Center (MNIC), Hue-Man, Kente’ Circle, and the University
plague communities of color such as diabetes, teen pregnancy,
The play will take place in
Sabathani’s auditorium on
Thursday, August 21st at
6:00 p.m.
violence and unintentional injuries, which include fitness classes such
The theater project and Peace Parade are
educating the public and improving public health.
as Zumba, aerobics, and yoga. The Spring Fling event provides health
made possible through a Minnesota State
screenings, such as blood pressure and glucose levels, and helps
Arts Board grant and UCare. The Horizons
to attract new fitness class participants. At this year’s Spring Fling,
Youth Program is supported by the Greater
Roads Panorama is directed by Dr. Joyce
Marrie, Ph.D. Its mission is to equip youth
Access Program and Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative,
Sabathani is employing strategies to reduce health disparities that
participants exercised and enjoyed a healthy meal.
EHDI Begins Third Year
of Minnesota. Project activities include Hood Health Class for high school students,
Club Sugar (diabetes support group), exercise classes (aerobics, Zumba, yoga),
health screenings, information, referrals, education, and special events geared to
For further information, contact Pat Anderson, EHDI Project Coordinator,
at 612-821-2315 or panderson@sabathani.org.
Twin Cities Area United Way, Sheltering Arms
Foundation, Carol Fitzgerald Foundation,
and the City of Minneapolis 612 Youth
Engagement Project.
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fusion / SUMMER 2014
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