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For kids on the margins of society, those young people many of us may see, but never really know, life is often defined by the endless quest to find their "forever" family. It is something many of us take for granted. According to Lisa Welter, founder of the Connected Kids Initiative, her group's goal is to break the cycle of childhood poverty and homelessness through early intervention, which has a 93% success rate. The Connected Kids Initiative was started in Anoka County several years ago by a local church in response to an individual child protection case that garnered attention of local leaders. State-wide in 2017, there were more than 16,000 kids in foster care, plus an additional 6,000 children who were homeless and 1,765 who were considered wards of state (i.e. orphans). Closer to home, there were 538 kids in foster care in Anoka County. The number of child maltreatment cases has sky rocketed in the last 7 years; in 2010 there were 22,000 cases - last year there were over 39,000. The Connected Kids Initiative, is essentially a volunteer-run collaborative of individuals, families, faith and business leaders who help provide meals, shelter, clothing, childcare and other assistance through a network of agencies and non-profits. As Lisa Welter put it, the group's ultimate goal is to provide healing, hope and change for these children. For more information, check out: http://www.connectedkidsinitiative.org Thanks to Lisa Welter and CKI for their inspiring work and to Matt Stemwedel for arranging the program. A Hard Act to Follow Special guest turned some heads with "now you see it, now you don't" YoYo trickery 
Dave Schulte, son of Doris Schulte and brother of Scott Schulte, entertained Coon Rapids Rotary with YoYo tricks this past Monday. In the entertainment business, the warm-up act is usually intended to kill time; allowing patrons to settle into their seats, check their Smart phones for the latest internet gossip and generally show disinterest toward the artist on stage. Such was not the case this past Monday, when Dave Schulte, YoYo Master, gave two fast-paced, impromptu performances. It was an up tempo, sleight-of-hand spectacle that had most Rotarians doing double-takes. Special thanks to Dave Schulte for this Rotary rarity moment. Coon Rapids Chili Challenge: February 8th Local recipes on display for 5th annual event to benefit Hope4Youth Mark you calendars for Thursday, February 8th to attend the 5th annual Coon Rapids Chili Challenge to be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Coon Rapids VFW. The event will include contestants representing the Coon Rapids Lions Club, VFW, Police, Fire, Kiwanis, Women of Today, Northstar Lions Club, Transformative Circle and Coon Rapids Rotary. Can our club break its streak of chili defeats and honorable mentions or can we bring home 3 bean glory? There are divided loyalties to be sure and rumors of some home cooking with the voting procedures, but it's all in good fun and to support Hope4Youth here in Coon Rapids. Contact Dave McCauley if you are available to help with food preparation and/or meal service. Community Strength Foundation Announcement Group has opening on board The Coon Rapids Community Strength Foundation, which supports a variety of community-based events and activities (4th of July celebration/fireworks, Firecracker runs/Sparkler Dash, Thursday Nites LIVE at the Dam and Snowflake Days) has an opening on its board. This is a great opportunity to serve the community and be plugged into the things that make Coon Rapids a great place to live, work and play. Contact John Piper for more information. For more information on the organization, check out: https://www.coonrapidscommunitystrengthfoundation.com It's Official: Welcome John Doughty John Doughty's membership in Coon Rapids Rotary is now official. John works at Camila Rose Care Center in Coon Rapids. Let's make an effort to get to know John and bring him into the Rotary family. Welcome John! |
