This video will definitely put a smile on your face. Check out the Redeemer After-School Program kids singing Adele’s “Someone Like You.” Calling all talent agents!

Are you interested in owning a home through Habitat for Humanity, or do you know a family who is? Attend this upcoming Homeownership Exploration Session to learn more about applying to the program. Habitat staff and current homeowners will be on hand to share their knowledge and experience.

WHERE: New Salem Baptist Church, 2507 Bryant Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411

WHEN: Saturday, May 4 from 1:00 – 3:30 pm

For more details, please contact Cristen Incitti, Family Services Manager, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity at 612-305-7161 or cristen.incitti@tchabitat.org

It’s party time in the Harrison Neighborhood! Join us for the Harrison Hang-Out, a free, community-centered event bringing together local organizations and resources that support healthy lifestyles in North Minneapolis.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Noon – 4pm

There’s lots of fun in store, including an interactive BMX demo, FREE food, live music, games, prizes, and a community bike ride to Theo Wirth at the close of the event (4pm).

Drop by anytime to get to know your neighbors, learn about local organizations, and enjoy the food and music. The Harrison Hang-Out will be held behind Venture North Bike & Coffee Shop at 1830 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55405.

*We’re also on the lookout for volunteers, vendors, donors, and other helpers. Interested? Please contact Jody, Venture North Assistant Manager, at 612-377-3029 or Lindsey, Redeemer Center for Life Communications  Associate, at 612-377-4476. Thanks!*

Venture North Bike Walk & Coffee is getting ready to kick off a new session of Earn-A-Bike! In this class, students will learn about bike maintenance and repair. At the end of the session, students get to keep the bike that they’ve been working on. Cost is $30 per student with scholarships available. Ages 6 – 12. The first session begins on Saturday, April 6th and continues every Saturday through April 27th. Classes are from 11:50am – 3:00pm.

For more information, please stop by the shop (1830 Glenwood Avenue) or call 612-377-3029. Be sure to spread the word about this great youth opportunity!

In January, Venture North Bike Walk & Coffee partnered with Bryn Mawr Elementary to teach students about bike safety and get everyone excited about biking their way to class. The program originated as a means to support the citywide Safe Routes to School initiative, a strategic plan to improve students’ health while promoting green transportation. While the weather outside was cold and snowy, the indoor Bike Blizzard provided a perfect opportunity for students to get active on bikes. With the help of Venture North staff, Bryn Mawr staff, and enthusiastic parent volunteers, students worked their way through stations to get fitted for a helmet, learn hand signals, practice using a bike lock, learn about tire maintenance, and bike through a challenging maze. We had a blast and can’t wait to see more young people biking to school this spring!

Check out photos from the event on Facebook.

Minneapolis was one of six cities selected to receive the “Roadmaps to Health” prize, a national recognition honoring outstanding community partnerships working to improve health. Venture North Bike Walk & Coffee was honored for bike advocacy in North Minneapolis. Read more at the Star Tribune: “Mpls nets $25k prize for healthy living initiatives”.

Congrats Venture North! And a big thank you to Mayor R.T. Rybak, the Minneapolis Health Department, and all of the other community organizations, nonprofits, and supporters who made this award possible. Let’s continue supporting healthy living initiatives in our great city!

We’re excited to welcome a new leader here at RCFL! Pastor Kelly Chatman, Senior Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, joined our staff in January to serve as Executive Director.  Pastor Kelly previously held this position from 2002 – 2008, and has worked in partnership with the nonprofit to unify the Redeemer campus in its mission to serve as a beacon of hope in the Harrison Neighborhood. Pastor Kelly brings a wealth of leadership experience, having served as director for Youth Ministries for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and as a distinguished church leader in Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon, and here in Minneapolis. In addition, Pastor Kelly recently served on boards for Camp Amnicon, Aeon Housing Development, Gustavus College, Cookie Cart, Plymouth Christian Youth Center, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Harrison Neighborhood Association, and the Wheat Ridge Foundation.

Under Pastor Kelly’s leadership, we look forward to working alongside Redeemer Lutheran Church to expand our youth programming and increase opportunities for enacting positive change in our community. As our youth enrichment programs grow, so does our ability to raise up future leaders. Stay tuned in the coming months for news about the Redeemer After-school Program (RAP), Venture North youth programs, Housing and Transition (HAT), the Northside Wrestling Club (NSWC), and the Redeemer Music Academy.

Check out our latest Fall/Winter Newsletter and catch up on all the news and exciting events that have been happening at RCFL and Venture North. We can’t wait to see what 2013 will bring!

It’s that time of year again! Come one, come all to Redeemer’s annual Christmas Store on Saturday, December 8, 2012! Over 100 neighborhood children will have an opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for their families and friends. Each child will be able to purchase up to 4 presents for 25 cents each (each child can spend no more than $1). There will be games, crafts, FREE gift wrap, and more! Santa will make a special appearance for this special occasion, and a free lunch will be provided. Come gather with friends and neighbors to spread the holiday cheer! For more information about the event or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Redeemer Lutheran Church staff at 612.374.4139 or admin@redeemermpls.org. We hope to see you there!

Venture North Bike Walk & Coffee will be hosting a dinner and fundraising event on October 26, 2012. The dinner will celebrate Venture North’s first anniversary by honoring recipients of the Compass of Hope Awards, pointing to the world of opportunity in North Minneapolis and to the leaders who embody the hope of the community.

“We are so grateful to the individuals and organizations that have walked beside us throughout the past year,” said Marilu Thomas, Executive Director of Redeemer Center for Life and Venture North Bike Walk & Coffee.

The event will be held at the Science Museum of Minnesota’s Elements Café on Friday, October 26, 2012, from 6 PM until 10 PM. Guests will receive a wristband allowing them to explore the museum (including the special Lost Egypt exhibit) beginning at 4 PM. The event will also include a cocktail hour with jazz performers, a plated dinner, and presentations about the impact of Venture North’s work in the community from Venture North constituents. After the award presentations, guests will have an opportunity to contribute toward Venture North’s mission and programs.

Single tickets are available for $70; guests may purchase a table of eight for $560.

To RSVP, please contact Redeemer Center for Life at 612.377.4476, email ltaggart@redeemercenter.org, or purchase tickets online.
We hope you can join us!