7 minute read
Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
Activities for adults
Independent living classes offered
The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living offers free and accessible classes on living independently for people with disabilities. Most classes are held at 1600 University Ave., #16, the green tile building at University and Snelling, St. Paul, unless specified.
A new event is a happy hour gathering, with different activities. Meet at 4-7 p.m. Wed, May 23 at Como Zoo for social time. Also, the start of summer means trips to the Nicollet Mall farmers’ Market again, starting 1-3 p.m. Thu, June 20. Yet another fun event coming up is 1-5 p.m. Tue, May 28 with cooking and social night at MCIL.
A full calendar of all events is offered online. Enjoy field trips, knitting and crafts, wii fun, cooking, and classes to help with everyday living. Classes include the Working Well with a Disability series. 1:30-3 p.m. Wed June 189 with a goal setting and awareness workshop. Learn about advocacy 10 a.m.-noon Tue, June 11. Other upcoming classes include how to make responsible choices, decision-making and bus training. Bus training is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wed, April 17 and May 15. Cook with others and enjoy social time 1-6 p.m. Tue, April 30 in the MCIL kitchen.
Weekenders outings are for those who are tired of sitting home all weekend. Meet other people who share similar interests and want to meet new people. Guests are welcomed. Meet at Minneapolis’ Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group 10 a.m.-noon Fri, May 1.Please bring spending money for weekenders events. All other events are free of charge, accessible and mostly scent-free. Please RSVP and give two weeks’ notice of needed accommodations. FFI: Corbett Laubignat, 651-603-2028, corbettl@mcil-mn.org, Cindy, 651-603-2037, cindyl@mcil-mn.org,www.mcil-mn.org
MCIL will be closed May 27 for Memorial Day.
Youth and families
PACER offers workshops
PACER Center offers many useful free or low-cost workshops and other resources for families of children with disabilities. Workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified.
Workshops for May include Planning for the Future: Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Options, 6:308:30 p.m. Tue, May 28. Attorney Lori Guzmàn, founder of Guzmàn Law Firm, P.A. and parent of a child with multiple disabilities, will discuss what families should consider when planning to protect and assist a child with disabilities in the transition to adulthood. She will answer such questions as: What is guardianship? What is a conservator? When are they necessary and how are they established? What are the options for less restrictive alternatives? When are other options more appropriate? Advance registration required for all workshops.. FFI: 952838-9000, 800-537-2237 (toll free), www.PACER.org
Parents with disabilities group
MCIL offers a support group for parents with disabilities, Learn from and grow with others who are dealing with the intricacies of disability and parenting responsibilities. Everyone’s experience is valuable and questions are important. The group meets the second Monday of each month, with its next meeting 5-7 pm. Mon, May 13 at MCIL, 1600 University Ave. W., St. Paul. Preregistration requested. RSVP: Corbett, 651-603-2028, corbettl@mcil-mn.org
Mental illness in children
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI Minnesota) hosts a free, two-hour workshop for parents and teachers on recognizing warning signs of mental illness in children, and how early intervention and treatment is essential for their success. It is 10 a.m.noon Tue, June 11 at NAMI Minnesota, 800 Transfer Rd., Suite 31, St. Paul. The workshop meets the continuing education requirement for teachers. Pregister. FFI: NAMI, 651-645-2948.
Information and assistance
Seniors can seek healthy food
To increase seniors’ access to nutritious foods, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced the launch of a new one-page application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for Minnesotans age 60 and older. At the end of 2012, only 50.5 percent of seniors eligible for SNAP were accessing it. Currently, more than 500,000 Minnesotans are on SNAP. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Application for Seniors is for seniors-only households. The application is one page, two-sided, with additional attachments, including instructions and resource information. Previously, seniors needed to complete a combined application for food, cash and health care benefits, which all others interested in applying still need to complete. The department is working with counties, community groups and outreach organizations to get the word out about the new application. Seniors interested in applying for SNAP should contact their county social service agency.
Mental Illness support groups
NAMI-MN free support groups for families who have a relative with a mental illness. NAMI has about two dozen family support groups, more than 20 support groups for people living with a mental illness, anxiety support groups, groups for veterans and other groups. Led by trained facilitators, the various groups provide help and support. FFI: 651-645-2948
Partners and Spouses support group meets 6:45 p.m. the first Tue of each month at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ, 1795 Holton St. FFI: Lois, 651-788-1920, or Donna, 651-645-2948 ext. 101. Open Door Anxiety and Panic support, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thu at Woodland Hills Church, 1740 Van Dyke St., St. Paul and 6:30-6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thu at Goodwill-Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul. FFI: 651-645-2948.
NAMI Connection peer support group for adults are led by trained facilitators who are also in recovery lead NAMI Connection groups. One group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tue, . A group meets at 6:30 p.m., on the 4th Tuesday of the month, at Goodwill-Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Av., St. Paul (The group previously met at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.) FFI: Shelly, 651-228-1645. Bi-weekly adult recovery groups meet at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wed at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West, Roseville. FFI: Will, 651-578-3364.
A family support group meets in St. Paul on the second Wednesday of each month from at 6-7:30 p.m., at Goodwill-Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul, in room 123. FFI: Sonja, 651-357-2077. A group also meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. FFI: Anne Mae, 651-730-8434
Chronic pain support group
MCIL offers a peer support group for people who live with chronic pain. The group will start meeting 6:30 the first and third Thursday at MCIL, 1600 University Ave. #16, St. Paul. Group members will discuss what chronic pain is and how it affects people. FFI: Cindy Langr, 651-603-2037, cindyl@mcil-mn.org
GLBT group meets
Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) offers a GLBT support/social group that meets 6-7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at 1600 University Ave. W. #16, St. Paul to discuss topics related to being a part of the GLBT community and dealing with a disability.
Dinner is provided. RSVP at least 2-3 days in advance, as group cancels if fewer than three people sign up. FFI Corbett Laubignat, 651"603"2028, corbettl@mcil-mn.org
UCare meetings”UCare hosts informational meetings about its UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan. Meetings are held all over the region. UCare for Seniors has more than 75,000 members across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. UCare serves Medicare-eligible individuals and families enrolled in income-based Minnesota Health Care Programs, such as Minnesota Care and Prepaid Medical Assistance Program; adults with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditions and Minnesotans dually eligible for Medical Assistance and Medicare FFI: 1-877-523-1518 (toll free), www.ucare.org
Volunteer, Donate
Share a smile
Brighten the day of a senior citizen in north or southwest Minneapolis and have fun. Visit an elder and do things together: movies, games, crafts or just friendly conversation. Hang out with an elder on a regular basis and do things that you both enjoy, like watching a movie, building stuff, playing games or friendly conversation. One-time or ongoing opportunities through the NIP Senior Program. FFI: Jeanne, 612-746-8549, srvolunteer@neighbor hoodinvolve.org, or www.neighborhoodinvolve.org
Help with arts calendar
VSA Minnesota is seeking a volunteer or volunteers to assist with the compilation of the monthly VSA Minnesota arts calendar. The calendar lists accessible performances, films, galleries and events throughout the region. FFI: Jon, 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, Voice/TTY, access@vsamn.org
Open the Door to Education
Help adults reach their educational goals and earn their GED. Tutor, teach or assist in a classroom with the Minnesota Literacy Council. Give just 2-3 hours a week and help people expand their opportunities and change their lives through education. The literacy council provides training and support. Accommodations for volunteers with disabilities. FFI: Allison, 651-251-9110, volunteer@mnliteracy.org, www.mnliteracy.org/volunteers/opportunities/adults.
Volunteer with RSVP
Volunteers age 55 and older are eligible to receive free supplemental insurance, mileage reimbursement and other benefits through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) sponsored by Volunteers of America of Minnesota. RSVP/Volunteers of America of Minnesota and AARP Foundation need volunteers with good budgeting and organizational skills to help manage finances of older or disabled low-income individuals. Have a few hours a month to volunteer? Money Management Program staff will train and match you with someone in the community. FFI: 612-617-7821. ■
