Some people seem to have an inborn disposition to volunteer. No scientific data exist to substantiate that, but a conversation with Mary Ellen Halverson easily leads to that conclusion. It is not because she recites a long list of service accomplishments. In fact, she’s quite modest about her volunteering, including her years at Peace House. […]
Born to Volunteer: Meet Mary Ellen Halverson Read More »
On February 1st, PHC hosted it’s first-ever pickleball fundraising event, and by all accounts, it was a smashing success! Fifty enthusiastic players registered to participate in friendly competition, all while supporting PHC’s mission. The atmosphere at Smash Park in Roseville was electric, with volunteers, family, and friends cheering on the players while enjoying a delicious
PHC Hosts First-Ever Pickleball Fundraiser Read More »
2024 was quite a ride for Peace House Community. We started the year projecting a $100,000 deficit, and contemplating having to close PHC’s doors permanently. However, thanks to the amazing generosity of many people and organizations, we ended the year with a $40,000 surplus. But even as we celebrated the continuation of our work, we
My daughter and I enjoy watching the British murder mystery comedy series Death In Paradise. In many ways, it is mindless fun, and as with most mysteries, there is a plot twist somewhere along the way that leads to the unmasking of the murderer. Of course, the plot twist is always in the mind of
It’s All About Your Point of View Read More »
I’ve recently been reading various autobiographies. I started with Clint Malarchuk’s The Crazy Game, and am now working my way through What Does This Button Do? by Bruce Dickenson and My Effin’ Life by Geddy Lee. Malarchuk was a goalie in the National Hockey League who almost died on ice during a game after a
Your Place in the World Read More »
A couple of months ago, one of the community members at Peace House Community crawled under the table where we set out pastries so he could take a nap. A newer volunteer asked if this was okay, and I replied that as long as he was breathing and no one was going to trip over
Someone Thought This Was a Good Idea Read More »
Ask Willie Johnson about himself, and you may not get a lot of details. But ask him about his passions, and you will discover an articulate, thoughtful individual. Willie thinks about big things. He’s an artist, a poet, and a subversive, using his creative skills to make his points to those around him. He’s also
Meet Willie Johnson, aka Captain Recycling Read More »
I recently got to chat with the Associate Director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits about the state of nonprofit organizations in Minnesota. Kari is a self-professed data geek, and we discussed the fact that over 75% of nonprofits in Minnesota are currently reporting some level of financial distress, with many actively planning to close
I’ve had a hard time settling on a topic for this month’s column. I’m writing this about a week after the election, which is obviously a significant event, and the implications of the election results are big enough that I should probably say something. But you won’t read this until at least a couple of
Timing is Everything Read More »
I recently attended a meeting put on by the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness (MICH). As is common these days, the meeting began with a land acknowledgement, which is a statement recognizing that what is now Minnesota was and is the homeland for various Native American tribes. The wording of a land acknowledgement is up
Meaning What You Say Read More »