Dear Union Member,
Thank you for signing up to be a part of Minnesota Wants To Work, a project in partnership with the Minnesota AFL-CIO, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, and Working America.
Minnesota Wants To Work has three goals:
· Help unemployed union members with access to services and resources to improve basic needs
· Work to make unemployed workers’ voices heard locally and at the State Capitol around policy issues relating to jobs
· Keep unemployed union members in contact with their union and with other allied union members
Here are some ways to get assistance and get involved:
Minnesota Wants To Work partners with community organizations to assist unemployed Union members with services they need.
In order to serve people better, please help us figure out what is most useful and where to concentrate resources by taking a brief (5 minute) online survey about what you’ve experienced while out of work.
And whether you’re currently out of work, or just back to work, your answers will be extremely useful.
UPCOMING EVENTS- JOIN US!
TELL YOUR STORY & SIGN THE PETITION- MAY 24 and MAY 31
Our elected officials at the city, county, and state levels are asking to hear from us as they make important decisions about creating jobs and improving our communities. Often, they don’t hear from people who are actually unemployed about how their policies affect real Minnesotans. It’s time to let them know.
When we tell lawmakers about their actions affect us personally, it can change minds and votes. So, what’s your story? What’s been helpful and not helpful as you look for jobs? What advice would you give to a fellow Union member who is about to experience a layoff? How would you grade your lawmakers on their efforts to create jobs?
JOIN US ON
TUESDAY, MAY 24
ST PAUL LABOR & PROFESSIONAL CENTRE
411 MAIN STREET, ST. PAUL
Stop by anytime between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
--OR--
TUESDAY, MAY 31-
MINNEAPOLIS LABOR CENTER, ROOM #524
312 CENTRAL AVE, MINNEAPOLIS (corner of University and Central)
Stop by anytime between 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Stop by anytime between 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
1) Share your personal story of being out of work in letter, audio, or video form (your choice- we will make all available to you) to provide your lawmaker with faces and voices to think of as they make important decisions.
2) Sign your name to a petition calling on our lawmakers to FOCUS ON CREATING JOBS for Minnesota families. The petition will be delivered directly to lawmakers at the Capitol.
or call (612) 379-8130, x109
MINNESOTA WANTS TO WORK SERVICE FAIR AND LUNCH- JUNE 22
· Get lunch
· Get resources from community organizations who work on problems with consumer credit counseling, foreclosure prevention, food support, legal information, and other resources helpful to unemployed workers (as well as working Union members in need of assistance)
· Get information on Minnesota’s current economic situation
· Learn more about how to get active in your community
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22
MINNEAPOLIS LABOR CENTER, 2nd FLOOR
312 CENTRAL AVE, MINNEAPOLIS (corner of University and Central)
10 AM – 2 PM
10 AM – 2 PM
or call (612) 379-8130, x109
FIND RESOURCES
Below are several resources we encourage all Union members (employed or unemployed) to utilize in order to receive the most comprehensive assistance.
United Way 2-1-1 is a community help line that serves every county in Minnesota. Just dial 2-1-1 on a landline, (or 651-291-0211 on a cell phone) and an operator will connect you to a variety of services in your area, including emergency financial assistance programs, food assistance, and legal aid. www.unitedwaytwincities.org/get_help/
Bridge to Benefits is an anonymous, online screening tool to help you determine if you qualify for public work support programs. Print intake forms directly from the website: www.bridgetobenefits.org.
Family Means is a nonprofit consumer credit counseling service that offers free budget and credit counseling, affordable debt repayment, and bankruptcy counseling. Counseling services are available by telephone, mail, internet, and day/evening appointments. Visit their website, www.familymeans.org, or call 651-789-4014 for more information.
Portico Healthnet is a nonprofit health and human services organization that helps uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans access affordable health coverage and care. Call 651-489-CARE or visit their website: http://www.porticohealthnet.org.
Fare for All and Fare for All Express are reduced-cost food programs offered at several locations throughout the Twin Cities. Reduce your grocery budget while purchasing nutritious food. Visit their website, www.fareforall.org, or call 763-450-3880 for more information.
COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS
VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR FELLOW UNION MEMBERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 14
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will hold the nation's largest food drive to combat hunger will be conducted this year on Saturday, May 14. On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.
Americans are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 14.
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will hold the nation's largest food drive to combat hunger will be conducted this year on Saturday, May 14. On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.
Americans are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 14.
People who have questions about the drive in their area or who would like to volunteer should ask their letter carrier, contact their local post office, or go to www.helpstampouthunger.com. www.facebook.com/StampOutHunger, or www.twitter.com/StampOutHunger.
Christmas in May, Saturday, May 21
We Need Your Help! Please volunteer on Saturday, May 21 as we change the
lives of our neighbors. We need both skilled and unskilled volunteers to help us rehabilitate the homes of Chaska residents who have neither the financial or physical ability to do so themselves.
lives of our neighbors. We need both skilled and unskilled volunteers to help us rehabilitate the homes of Chaska residents who have neither the financial or physical ability to do so themselves.
Details: May 21st, 7:00 a.m. registration/breakfast starts at Guardian Angels Gym on W. 1st St in downtown Chaska. Volunteers can register, eat, get their t-shirt and walk around and look at home selections to see which one they want to work on. We disperse to the houses by 8:00. Work till around 4:00 or so till houses are done. Have a cold pop/beer at Legion and call it a day!
To RSVP call 952-361-5350 Or check us out on Facebook!
CONTACT US
Minnesota Wants To Work
Hennepin, Anoka, Wright, Carver, Scott, McLeod, Meeker counties:
Doug Flateau doug@workingpartnerships.org
Betsy Hunter betsy@workingpartnerships.org
Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, and Chisago counties:
Lynne Larkin-Wright llwright@stpaulunions.org