Central Area News January - February 2025

Central Area Neighborhood Newsletter January - February 2025
Our latest updates highlight important community initiatives, including the new ordinance affecting edible boulevards. Join us in advocating for change and ensure your voice is heard! Participate in public comment sessions and meetings to influence local policies. Let's cultivate a better community together!

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Wild-Geranium Scholarship

We are delighted to inform you that Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO), in collaboration with our benevolent donors, is providing an extraordinary opportunity for three exceptional 2023 High School African American graduates. We are thrilled to announce the Wild Geranium $2,000 Scholarship, which is designed to empower and support the future aspirations of exceptional African American youth.

How to apply
select one of the following:

1, Written Communication: Write a heartfelt essay or personal statement (500 words maximum) that reflects your identity, values, and long-term goals. Tell us how the scholarship will help you accomplish your educational and professional objectives. You have the opportunity to use words to create a picture and to demonstrate your enthusiasm and resolve.

2, Artistic Submission: Let your imagination run wild and submit a piece of artwork that encapsulates your path, your aspirations, and how the scholarship would be beneficial in your life. Any type of artwork is acceptable, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and computer creations. Take advantage of this chance to convey your own viewpoint and the heart of what you want to accomplish.

3, Video Submission: Produce a fascinating, around two-minute-long video that introduces you, tells your story, and emphasizes your future goals. You are free to choose whatever structure or video style that best conveys your character and goals. Make your voice heard and motivate us with your determination and resolve.

We encourage all eligible graduates to seize the opportunity to express themselves through writing, art, or video and apply for The Wild Geranium Scholarship.
Applications will be accepted from July 5th - July 31.

Send Applications or if you have any inquiries regarding the scholarship application process, at
Email: carmen@thecentralneighborhood.com
Phone: (612) 876-1960

**We are looking forward to reading your inspirational submissions and celebrating the promising future you have ahead of you** *All applications will be judged by a group of youth volunteers *

Check out CANDO's May news: Ways to Get Involved in Central!

Read the latest news!

https://mailchi.mp/467266517da0/cando-may-news-ways-to-get-involved-in-central  

-Tell Your Story or Help Others Tell Theirs with Storycrafting Nights: Wednesday, May 15 at Seward Friendship Store
-Volunteer with PLANT-GROW-SHARE gardening program events
-Support for getting to know your neighbors through the ‘Central Is Coming Together' Block Engagement Grant
-Multi-Neighborhood Economic Development / Land Use Monthly Meeting for Bancroft, Bryant, Central and Powderhorn: May 22nd at CANDO, 3715 Chicago Ave
-Free Weekly Classes at CANDO through Out in the Backyard
-Spring Zither Concert at Third Place Gallery on May 4th

Meet Arla! Most recent recipient of CANDO's Housing Grant and Loan Program

CANDO Housing Funding Meets the Needs of Our Community

By Sam, CANDO Housing Organizer

In January of 2019, longtime Central resident Arla Landon contacted the CANDO office to ask about resources to fix a leak in her bathroom. Arla had been active with the neighborhood organization when it was called Central Neighborhood Improvement Association (CNIA) before CANDO formed. She remembered that there might be funding available for emergency repairs such as hers.

Her timing was great! In 2018, CANDO finalized a contract with Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to administer loans and grants to homeowners, including potential homeowners. We understand the need of community members to have safe, secure affordable housing in the midst of a housing shortage and we endeavor to help renters and homeowners remain in their homes. Upon reviewing our first applications for loans and grants, we discovered we needed to adjust our guidelines to lower barriers so more people may access the funding. Anyone who wants may fill out an application with CEE for a property in Central Neighborhood (more details below).

I visited Arla to bring her the paper application for the emergency grant and during the visit, I learned about Arla’s family history in the neighborhood, we talked about elder housing possibilities at Sabathani, and I learned that we were both former Hennepin County AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) union members! I was able to offer some assistance in filling out CANDO & CEE housing programs paperwork and then submit it to the lending processing department at CEE.

CEE quickly followed up with Arla to let her know that they would be processing her application. Arla began contacting contractors for repair bids. Only a few days later, I received another call from Arla after one of the contractors alerted her about a concern with her furnace. We kept in contact about it, and then, during the coldest week of winter, the situation with the furnace went from bad to worse and it completely went out.

CANDO kicked into overdrive! After contacting several other community resources, we reviewed the programs Arla was eligible for with her CEE application. Due to the high cost to replace her old gravity or “octopus” furnace, Arla needed to apply for both the emergency grant and a repair loan.

In the meantime, other friends from Arla’s faith community and neighborhood pitched in to get a temporary solution to get Arla heat in her home during the polar vortex. CANDO & CEE staff worked to expedite the application process and, after more than two weeks without a functioning furnace, Arla was able to get her repairs done. She now has a loan to pay for the majority of the furnace replacement, but didn’t need to go to a bank for financing.

Arla told us, “I couldn't have done it without you guys. I’m blessed with all the help I received from my community and CANDO!”

If you would like more information about the CEE CANDO housing programs or want to apply, go to this link: mncee.org/services/financing/residential. You can also contact 612.335.5884 or loaninfo@mncee.org.


Longtime Central Resident Arla Landon

Longtime Central Resident Arla Landon

Arla’s old gravity furnace

Arla’s old gravity furnace

Sam and Arla with her new furnace

Sam and Arla with her new furnace