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Youth center
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in facilities outside of their county or even out of state, far from family and friends, which can be isolating.
“The counties reached out to us, knowing our area of expertise is in youth residential services,” said Mucheck. “If we [Nexus] can offer that safe, short-term placement so other [long-term social service] systems can help youth, then we want to be able to meet that need in the community.
“Some kids may only need a few days for a respite as they wait for a court date,” she added. “Some may need longer and need to stay the full 90 [days] if they look for long-term placement options, foster care, things of that sort… The difficulty with adjusting to an out-ofstate or out-of-county placement is that at times it just puts a further burden on the system as well as on the youth’s family.”
In the past year, several new initiatives have been launched to bolster mental health care in Dakota County. This trend may have been accelerated by the pandemic, which slashed the capacity of many hospitals and other institutions that would typically help residents dealing with mental health issues. Most recently, the county began designing a new mental health facility which may be built on its Northern Service Center campus at 1 Mendota Rd. W. in West St. Paul. In addition, a social worker has been placed within most city police departments in the county to offer services to people in crisis.
“It’s vitally important that we as a county provide a place for kids to be when they’re going through some of the toughest times in their life and they can’t be at home,” said Dakota County Commissioner Laurie Halverson in a released statement. “We want to make sure they are safe and cared for, and they can get the services they need immediately. I’m really proud of Dakota County for making this part of our community.” Aspen House has 12 beds, a kitchen, dining and lounge space, and therapy rooms.
Founded in Minnetonka in 1972, Nexus Family Healing operates centers in Illinois, Maryland, North Dakota, and 13 cities across Minnesota, including Albert Lea, Bemidji, Brainerd, Mankato and St. Cloud, and the Southeast Regional Crisis Center in Rochester, which serves youth and adults across 10 counties in southeast Minnesota. Nexus is headquartered in Plymouth.
“I really do like the collaborative work with the counties and other providers, and that ability to come together to solve problems in very creative ways,” said Mucheck. “Ultimately, that problem-solving is making a difference in somebody’s life. You know that you’re directly impacting the youth within your community and helping those families to enjoy one another. That’s really what it’s about. Just having that community that comes and works together to help support one another when times are hard and difficult.”
Toys for Teens at MHPD
The Mendota Heights Police Department and the Scott Carver Dakota Community Action Partnership have teamed up to collect gifts for ages 10-18 this holiday season. Popular items are bean bag chairs, skateboards, snowboards, blankets, travel pillows, phone cases and chargers, tie-dye kits, arts and crafts, LED lights, sporting goods, hygiene items and cosmetics, music, movies, books and essential clothing items. Unwrapped gifts may be dropped off any time through December 11 at the Mendota Heights Police Department, 1101 Victoria Curve. You may also choose gifts from the CAP Agency Wish List at CAPAgency.org and they’ll be shipped free.
Education That Suits Your Student
SCHOOL CHOICE DIRECTORY
Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice to explore these schools and for tips on how to choose a school that best fits your student's and family's needs.
CHARTER
Academia Cesar Chavez
1801 Lacrosse Ave., St. Paul 651-778-2940 www.cesarchavezschool.com
Great River School
1326 Energy Park Drive St Paul MN 55108 651-305-2780 enroll@greatriverschool.org www.greatriverschool.org
St. Paul City School PreK-12
260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul 651-225-9177 www.stpaulcityschool.org
COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES
St. Paul College
235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul 651-846-1600 https://saintpaul.edu
DISCOVER AN Education That Suits Your Student SPPS SCHOOL SCHOOL CHOICE DIRECTORY YOU’LL LOVE!
Join us for the Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice to explore these schools and for tips on how Saint Paul Public Schools to choose a school that best fits your PreK-12 School Choice Fair student's and family's needs. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.CHARTER
Academia Cesar Chavez
Saint Paul RiverCentre 1801 Lacrosse Ave., St. Paul 175 Kellogg Boulevard West 651-778-2940 | www.cesarchavezschool.com St. Paul, MN 55102
Great River School
This is a great opportunity for families looking for a new school for 2023-24 to meet SPPS staff and learn more about our schools, programs and services. 1326 Energy Park Drive St Paul MN 55108 651-305-2780 enroll@greatriverschool.org www.greatriverschool.org
Complete an online application by St. Paul City School PreK-12
February 3, 2023, for the best opportunity 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul to get into the school of your choice. 651-225-9177 | www.stpaulcityschool.org
COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES
Find more information about our schools, open house St. Paul College dates, application materials and more at spps.org/apply. 235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul 651-846-1600 | https://saintpaul.edu
Economic Development Community center from page 1
months. In late September, West St. Paul City Manager Nate Burkett presented some preliminary data to the city council at a work session. It was determined that a community center would likely require at least three acres and would take two to six years to complete, depending on amenities and funding. It’s anticipated that a center with amenities similar to the YMCA, which was located on the Hy-Vee site for more than 50 years, would likely cost $3.5-$5.5 million. The YMCA had an indoor pool, exercise and program rooms, and childcare facilities.
“It [the YMCA] was really very much a community hub and there was a good deal of community spirit that happened in structured ways,” said Dahl. “A lot of people in the area agree that there is a call for something similar to replace the old YMCA. There were things for all different ages. It really was a multi-generational place and it helped to build the community across generations. That’s what we’re hoping for again.”
Dahl and other residents encouraged the City to seek a partnership with the cities of South St. Paul and Mendota Heights to build the center, saying residents from each community used the YMCA. Burkett said the city is interested in partnering with other cities and organizations to create a regional attraction and is including that option in the feasibility study. That said, councilmembers noted that the city has already reached out to the YMCA, ISD 197 and Mendota Heights in the past year and nothing has materialized. The city could also seek state and federal funds.
The YMCA sold the property to Hy-Vee in 2019. The city purchased it from HyVee to have better control over what is developed on the site. The City envisions multi-family housing, restaurant and retail space, a transit stop, plaza and program space, green space, amphitheater, playground, pavilion, and a promenade along the pond.
The feasibility study is the first step to determine if a community center could be part of the development.
WE CAN HELP...and so can you!
Are you looking for a way to connect with your community? Do you have a desire to volunteer but don't know where to
start? Welcome to the West St Paul/Mendota Heights Rotary. Rotary is a non-political, non-religious organization made up of people of all cultures and backgrounds. We believe we share a responsibility to create lasting change in our ourselves, our community and across the globe. If you would like to learn more about your local Rotary club, join us Wednesday, December 7 at 7:30 am at the Copperfield Restaurant, 735 Maple St., Mendota Heights, for breakfast or a cup of coffee and meet the members of the West St Paul/Mendota Heights Rotary. RSVP to Alan Ruvelson at aruvelson@msn.com so we can let the restaurant know how many people to expect. We hope we see you there!
“There’s been enough interest in the community that I think we owe it to them to do a feasibility study,” said West St. Paul Mayor Dave Napier. “This has been a hot topic for a while, even before the Y decided to close the doors in West St. Paul. I want to calm the water by saying, “Hey we hear you. We’re going to be responsible and we’re going to do an actual assessment, which we’ve never done.’ I believe West St. Paul will be part of anything moving forward, if it does. And if it doesn’t, then we learned, and we’ve done our due diligence as leaders of our city.”
“Ours is a Service of Sincerity”
Since 1927
Ken B. Peterson
Owner-Director
Johnson-Peterson
Funeral Home & Cremation
612 So. Smith Ave. 651-222-3220
www.johnsonpeterson.com
Riverview teacher awarded
Riverview Elementary teacher Jackelyn Doyle-Eustice received a $500 teaching award from the Minnesota Council on Economic Education. Doyle-Eustice has worked in the St. Paul School district as a 5th-grade teacher and Social Studies content specialist for six years. She has an undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a master’s in urban education from Metropolitan State University. “Lo nuestro es un servicio de sinceridad” WANTED
Desde 1927
Ken B. Peterson Owner-Director Vintage Records, Turntables Johnson-Peterson & Stereo Casa Funeria y Cremación Equipment
612 So. Smith Ave. 651-222-3220
Call
www.johnsonpeterson.com651-248-7274
Augustana Lutheran 1400 Robert St. S. West St. Paul 651-457-3373 augustana.com
Beth Jacob Congregation 1179 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights 651-452-2226 beth-jacob.org
Cherokee Park United 371 Baker St. W. St. Paul 651-227-4275 cherokeeparkunited.org
Community Christ the Redeemer
Crown of Life Lutheran Church & School
Faith United Methodist 1530 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul 651-457-5686 faithumcmn.com
Holy Family Maronite 1960 Lexington Ave. S. Mendota Heights 651-291-1116 HolyFamilyEvents.org
La Puerta Abierta UMC 690 Livingston Ave. St. Paul 651-558-1896
Mizpah River Ministries
1530 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul 651-399-5783
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Riverview Baptist 14 Moreland Ave. E. West St. Paul 651-457-3831 www.riverviewbaptist.net
Spirit of Hope Catholic Community 2035 Charlton Road Sunfish Lake 651-760-8353 www.spiritofhopemn.org
St. Anne’s Episcopal 2035 Charlton Rd. Sunfish Lake 651-455-9449 www.saintannesmn.org
St. Elizabeth Orthodox 125 Congress St. E. St. Paul 651-424-0814 seocc.org
St. George Antiochian Orthodox 1250 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul 651-457-0854 www.saintgeorgechurch.org
St. Matthew Catholic
St. Paul’s United Methodist
St. James Lutheran 460 Annapolis St. W. West St. Paul 651-457-9232 www.saintjameslutheran. com
St. Joseph’s Catholic 1154 Seminole Ave. West St. Paul 651-457-2781 www.churchofstjoseph.org
St. Stephen’s Lutheran 1575 Charlton St. West St. Paul 651-457-6541 www.ststephenswsp.org
