Newcomers Group to Kick-Off - June 13, 2019

 
For Immediate Release 
May 2, 2019 
 
Pope County Groups Receive West Central Initiative Community Change Makers Grants
 
FERGUS FALLS, MINN — What does creating change for the better look like in the Minnewaska Lake area? For citizens of Pope County, creating change can be better educating students and a more focused effort to make area newcomers welcome!
 
The Glenwood Welcome Center and the Minnewaska School District, have received $7,500 in grants from West Central Initiative. These grants are two of 26 regional grants worth nearly $120,000 given to organizations this spring as part of the Community Change Makers Grant awards from West Central Initiative (WCI). 
 
"Our goal with the Community Change Makers Grant program has been to help communities arrive at their own solutions," said WCI President Anna Wasescha. "In this round of awards, we can see our nine-county region through the eyes of individuals and groups who know and love their communities and, by working together, have summoned the creative energy to make those places better places to live and work."
 
The two grantees and their projects are:
 
Minnewaska School District Model Schools Conference 
The Minnewaska School District is embarking on a plan to reach the 2025 Vision for school graduates set forth in the District Strategic Roadmap. A team of about 30 Minnewaska School District teachers, administrators and mental health professionals will be attending an intensive training conference called The Model Schools in Washington, D.C. later this year.  This experience, supported by $5,000 from West Central Initiative, will help better prepare attendees to build the Roadmap that helps shape the future of the schools.
 
Glenwood Lakes Area Welcome Center 
The Glenwood Lakes Area Welcome Center program, which engages new families and individuals in the community, began in August of 2013. The $2,500 Change Makers grant will help expand the program through the creation of a Newcomers Group and also incorporate the regional “Live Wide Open” place branding campaign.
 
“Our expanded focus will help new community members more easily transition to our city while encouraging those who have moved away to return to live, work and enjoy the people and all the amenities the Glenwood area has to offer”, said Kay Blauert, Executive Director of the Glenwood Lakes Area Welcome Center. The Change Makers grant will help fund promotional efforts including video and social media, as well as engaging and educating local residents on ways to help connect with those who may want to move to or move back to the area. 
 
West Central Initiative is a regional community foundation serving the nine west central Minnesota counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin. WCI invests resources in our communities for regional success, using the tools of economic development and community development, and by promoting philanthropy. Individuals and organizations can partner with WCI’s philanthropy efforts in several ways. Learn more at www.wcif.org.