News Category
Making A Difference: Baby’s Space is Like My Family – Daisy’s Story
(Daisy Green is a Parent at Baby’s Space)
“I lost my mom 25 years ago and had not had much of a support system since that happened. Baby’s Space has provided my daughter and I with so much support throughout the last few years. The staff will drop everything they are doing, just to talk, listen and help in any way.
I was having a hard time finding work and had nobody there to help me. Baby’s Space helped me set up a job through Tree Trust and I will start a new job this Thursday at Baby’s Space on the sub list and am happy to be near the people who care. My daughter, Angela, has been coming to Baby’s Space since she was 5 months old, and she will soon be 3. I would have brought her to Baby’s Space sooner if I was aware of this program. I am very grateful to have been able to be here at Baby’s Space.”
Daisy Green (left) has a daughter at Baby’s Space. She’s with Debbie Lund, center director (right)
Investee Spotlight: Guff Van Vooren joins STLF’s Co-Executive Director team
By Josh Reimnitz, Co-Executive Director, STLF
SVP-MN partner and board member Guff Van Vooren will join the leadership team of Students Today Leaders Forever (STLF), a former investee organization, in mid-June. As part of their team-based leadership approach called the Core Model, Guff will succeed co-founder Brian Peterson and serve as Co-Executive Director for the next six years.
Guff is passionate about providing volunteers with opportunities to change the world and unleash their leadership potential, and will have a wonderful chance to do so with STLF. Guff is also excited to help STLF reach its goal of doubling by 2016 and will provide financial leadership so they can do so sustainably.
“I’m energized to be part of the next stage leadership that helps STLF grow mindfully, sustainably, and strong, both internally and externally,” Guff said. “My passion for serving this organization and its constituents will guide all decisions I make with the STLF team.”
STLF wants to thank SVP-MN and all the partners for being such outstanding supporters and mentors throughout their lifespan as a nonprofit, and for introducing Guff to the wonderful world of STLF!
Doing Your “Part” In Partner Recruiting
We’ve all seen the impact we can have through our work at SVP. Our early Investee, Genesys Works, went from serving 11 students in 2008 and will serve an outstanding 226 this year. It was SVP’s seed money of $20,000 that supported the infrastructure to make this possible.
We launched STLF. SVP provided their very first grant. To-date, they’ve had over 12,700 participants and served 176,000 hours on 319 Pay It Forward Tours. Talk about a social return on investment!
And we’ve only tapped into our potential. The ability to serve at-risk children and youth is only limited by the capacity and resources of our partnership. New Partners means we’re helping more youth. Here’s what you can do to help.
Top 3 Things You Can Do To Help Recruit New Partners
- Reach out to three people you’d like to make aware of SVP and the great things we do. Share the Annual Report. You can download it or get copies from Brad Brown.
- Invite prospective potential partners to the next SVP Quarterly Partner Meeting, Tuesday, August 14th. Sign them up here.
- Invite prospective Partners to our EPCON conference August 23rd.
If you have a potential Partner in mind, put them in touch with Brad or any of the Partner Recruitment Committee members: Jeff Tollefson, Charlie Maxwell, Chadburn Blomquist, Jeff Arneson, or Pam Moret.
New Partner: Kris Petersen
Why did you choose to join Social Venture Partners?
I was made aware of SVP by Pam Moret. I met with Brad and learned more about the mission and liked what I saw. I then learned that it was both a financial commitment as well as the ability to work directly with the recipients of the grants. I really liked that part of the proposition.
Tell us about yourself!
I am divorced and live in south Minneapolis with my cat Eddy. I spent 27 years in corporate America and left after a number of years in executive leadership to pursue the next chapter of my life. I have a passion for helping people do more than they believe they can, so I joined Lennick Aberman Group as an Executive Consultant focusing on Performance Enhancement coaching and training. I also provide business consulting which is a unique combination. When I am not working, I enjoy biking, running, throwing pottery, gardening, movies, and getting together with friends.
If you could change one thing in the community and had unlimited resources at your disposal, how would the community be different?
If I had one wish for the community it’s more attention and resources in our public schools. I volunteer at a local elementary school and it’s 40 students to a teacher and half of the students are left behind, not able to read, write, or do basic math at the 4th and 5th grade level. It makes me sad and frustrated as basic education should be available to all children in our community.
Partner Spotlight: Tim Huebsch Receives Distinguished Alumni Award
Ten Minnesota State University, Mankato graduates were named 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award winners for their exceptional achievement and contributions to their professions and communities. Our very own Tim Huebsch received the “Distinguished Young Alumni Award” for graduates 35 years old or younger who reached personal or professional achievements early in their careers, positively impacted their communities, and showed promise for continued success.
Tim graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and since then has worked at General Mills, where he serves as integration manager for digital marketing. He has been an SVP Partner since 2011.
Please join us in congratulating Tim on this achievement and thanking him for his continued good work in improving our community.