Congratulations to Anthony Larkin, NetWork participant, who obtained his associate degree from Dunwoody this November from the HVAC program.
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Anthony Larkin |
NetWork Cook off!
Over the past year, NetWork participants could be found boasting about their famed cooking skills and secret chicken wing recipes-- last month it was time to see, once and for all, who was the best cook at The NetWork. Eight brave men signed up to enter their chicken-wings to our panel of judges. Many others came to cheer on their favorites and help psyche-out the competition.
Andre Cox was the hands-down winner with his flourless, baked wings in a special, top secret sauce.
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Congratulations Andre! |
Runner up, Arch (Jeff) Murphy was praised for his traditional, fried wings.
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Congratulations Jeff! |
Congratulations men, great job!
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Special thank you to all of our funders and business partners from 2011:
Funders:
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The United Way, Bigelow Foundation, St. Paul Foundation, Advantage Sign Company, Alliance Housing¸ Aspen Waste Systems, Augsburg College, City of Minneapolis CPED, DMD Services, Edina Realty, Barry Tanner, Hamline Construction, Hamline University, Hennepin County Environmental Services, Hennepin County Taxpayer Services, Knutson Construction, North American Cleaning, Macalester College, Mankato State University, Minnesota Public Housing Authority and Mental Health Resources
Government partners:
Minnesota Housing, Office of Justice Programs, State Department of Employment & Economic Development, Hennepin County Human Services and Hennepin County Environmental Services
Business partners:
Hennepin County Taxpayer Services, Minnesota Office of Justice Program, Wells Fargo, Better World Books,
Bridging, K-BID, Hennepin County, Hennepin County Environmental Services, Hennepin Tax Payer Services, IKEA Appliance, and Macalester College, Mankato State, City of Minneapolis Public Housing, City of Minneapolis CPED, Twin Cities Community Land Bank, Watson Forsberg, Thor Construction, Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, Augsburg College, East Central Regional Library System, New Prague Branch library, Eagle View Elementary School, New Prague Public Schools, St. Paul Public Library, Raven Stream Elementary, Elko New Market Branch Library, Buffalo Branch Library, Cokato Branch Library, Falcon Ridge Elementary, Northfield, Public Library, Savage Public Library, Tracy Public Library, Lamberton Public Library, Ivanhoe Public Library, and Slayton Public Library
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Dear Friends, Partners, Customers and Investors:
As the year comes to an end, we are proud to have completed the fourth year of our demonstration pilot. Since January 2008, we have enrolled over 500 men and created a community that supports their life-changing
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Darryl Lindsey |
transformations. Through our business unit, Better Futures Enterprises (BFE) we have provided part-time work for over 280 men.
In 2012, we will enhance our cross-disciplinary model by strengthening our relationships with community partners, government sectors, and local behavior health providers. We plan to learn more about the Trauma-Informed Care model in our efforts to continue improving our behavior health outcomes. We also plan to work with health providers to develop innovative reimbursement strategies and gain sharing models for our support services.
In early 2012, West Ed, an independent, bipartisan research firm, will launch an evaluation on The NetWork's model. The evaluation will measure the impact, results, cost and benefits of our enterprise's aspiration to help transform the lives of high-risk men.
The NetWork has had an encouraging year, and is poised to continue generating positive outcomes for our men, especially in significantly reducing return to prison rates. We want to thank all of you for your support and look forward to working with you in the new year.
Happy Holidays,
Darryl Lindsey, COO
The NetWork for Better Futures |
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NetWork Buzz
- SAVE THE DATE: The NetWork'sAnnual Breakfast is February 7th 2012 from 7:30AM to 9AM. This celebration is to thank our supporters and recognize those who have invested in our work. Look for an invitation soon. Please contact Sarah Satterberg if you have questions at 612-455-6133.
- A portion of The NetWork's funding in 2010 and 2011 was financed with federal grant funding provided through the State Office of Justice Programs (OJP). We prepared a final report that describes our accomplishments and lessons learned during this two year grant period. Click here for the final report.
- The NetWork for Better Futures is featured in the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Blue Ribbon Commission Report "Reducing Racial Employment Disparities" as a strategy to employ high risk adults. In response to recent data indicating that the Saint Paul/Minneapolis metro area-- the most populous urban area in the state of Minnesota-- has the highest racial employment disparity in the nation, the WIB, with the support of the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County, convened the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) on Racial Employment Disparities to serve from February through August 2011. The Commissioner's charge is to support and align regional economic development efforts and to identify and recommend strategies to reduce racial employment disparities in the Ramsey County metropolitan area over the next five years.
- Mayor Chris Coleman, along with Ward Three Councilmember Pat Harris and community organizations, praised the City of Saint Paul and their partners for conducting a pilot program that explores the use of deconstruction in Saint Paul. In the article, Mayor Coleman Highlights City Deconstruction Efforts The NetWork for Better Futures is featured.
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Praise for Better Futures Enterprises
"Hennepin County's waste management system prioritizes recovering material for reuse and recycling to prevent waste from being sent to landfills. By viewing waste as a resource, the county has created and implemented many innovative programs that protect the environment while creating viable economic opportunities. Partnering with The NetWork for Better Futures is a perfect fit for this mission. The county and The NetWork have worked together over the past several years to divert discarded household goods such as furniture, appliances, toys and books for reuse or recycling. In 2011, The NetWork diverted 230,000 pounds of household goods headed to the landfill and began processing appliances delivered from the county's Brooklyn Park Transfer Station, while also providing job skills to dozens of individuals in need. By working together, we both meet our agency objectives."
Carl Michaud, Director of Environmental Services
Hennepin County Waste Management |
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Participant Letter
I want to talk to you briefly about The NetWork for Better Futures and how they have helped me change to have a better life and better future.
A year ago, I was invited by Jeff Williams, NetWork Recruiter and Darryl Lindsey, NetWork COO to be interviewed to be a part of the enterprise. Jeff talked to me about wanting to bring people into the NetWork who wanted to change. That is when the process of change started for me. I am grateful for the opportunity to work and in turn, I vow to myself, that I will be honest, straight forward and hardworking, have integrity, and do what I can do to help. In doing so, I believe other participants look at me and see that hard work, persistence and consistency pays off.
The NetWork has become a beacon of light that I needed in my life. They showed me that they are not going to give me a hand-out, but they are going to provide me a hand-up. I am grateful for my Life Coach, Maisha Gilles and to the NetWork family for offering me a second chance and an opportunity. Without all of you I don't think I would be as far along as I am.
God bless,
Garrett Perry,
NetWork participant |
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Hire a Work Crew
If you are interested in hiring a Better Futures Enterprises work crew please contact us at 612-455-6133. We will also pick up your used books and slightly used household goods for free and used appliances for a small fee. |
Mission
Reduce the economic and social costs of high-risk adults, primarily African American men, with histories of incarceration, substance abuse, mental illness, chronic unemployment, and homelessness. |
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