Dear friends, I am pleased to present you with the July IOCP e-newsletter highlighting the important work volunteers, partners, families and staff are doing in our community.


Thanks for staying connected to our work in so many wonderful ways. I am especially excited to announce a new community-wide effort called Great Expectations, an emerging whole-village investment in cradle-to-career success for all our kids. 

The kickoff event will be on Wednesday, August 5th, from 12-2 p.m. at IOCP! Come learn what this means for you and for all of us. Hope to see you there.
       
       Together, our focused efforts have the power to make amazing things happen. Let's get at it.

  

       LaDonna Hoy

       Executive Director


DID YOU KNOW?

-- 100 Camp CONECT kids received Plymouth Library cards this summer to use during their weekly visits! They also painted their own Little Free Library. View the photos.

-- Last year, thanks to you, 750 kids went back to school with brand new school supplies valued at $55,000!

-- The IOCP Food Shelf welcomes garden produce! Our families will love whatever you're growing -- fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, squash, carrots, etc.

-- A strongly recommended summer read is "Our Kids, The American Dream in Crisis," Robert Putnam's groundbreaking analysis of what's happened to the American Dream and its impact on our kids.
UPCOMING EVENTS

8/5               Great Expectations Kickoff
8/11            2nd Tuesday Gathering

 

9/12-9/13     James J. Hill Days (visit our booth!)
9/14               Earl Cup Woodhill Classic
  
GREAT EXPECTATIONS: "IT TAKES A VILLAGE" 

Are you a teacher? Coach? Tutor? Parent? Grandparent? Whether you work with kids, have your own, or just love kids and want to help them realize their dreams, join us for the kickoff of Great Expectations on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 12-2 p.m. at IOCP.

 

Great Expectations brings together IOCP, the Wayzata and Orono school districts and the community around an exciting new cradle-to-career educational intitiative designed to ensure that all of our kids are set on a path to success in school and beyond. 

 

Come learn about this big idea and how you can be a part of it. The kickoff will end with an International Festival created by our wonderful Camp CONECT kids!

 

The event is free, but there are a limited number of spots left. We ask that you register online so we can provide you with a light lunch! Please email Jill Kohler or call her at 763-489-7512 with any questions.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM NEEDS YOU!

Parents of low-income families often have to make a choice between equipping their kids with school supplies and providing necessities like food, housing and clothing. 

Thanks to you, our Back-to-School program is able to provide the grade-appropriate supplies and backpacks so parents don't have to make that choice. Please consider making a donation of school supplies to help our kids start the year off right! 

Our most needed items are: backpacks, scientific and graphing calculators, spiral and composition notebooks, pocket folders and three-ring binders. View the full list.

Donations may be dropped off at IOCP from Aug. 1-21, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with extended hours on Wednesday until 8 p.m. Thank you for your generosity! Your act of kindness will stay in the hearts of both students and their parents far beyond the school year.
HOMEWORK CLUB RAMPS UP LITERACY FOCUS

IOCP and the CONECT program are thrilled to announce that, with support from the United Way, three Homework Club sites will expand this year and add a focused reading and literacy component.

The generous three-year grant, along with the help of Wayzata Public Schools (WPS), will supply the following:
  • More program hours for students
  • Small group/team reading activities developed by IOCP and WPS staff
  • Books for students to earn and take home to build their personal libraries
  • Data collection and evaluation of student progress 
  • Increased professional staffing from IOCP and WPS

How You Can Help!

Do you enjoy working with kids? The CONECT Homework Clubs need several volunteers to help elementary age youth with homework. The commitment is 1-1.5 hours after school, one day per week (or more, if you're able). To sign up or learn more, email Liz Erstad-Hicks or call her at 763-489-7506. Thank you!
EARL CUP WOODHILL CLASSIC: GOLF FOR A CAUSE!

Do you enjoy a gregarious round of golf in a beautiful setting? IOCP is preparing for its annual Earl Cup Woodhill Classic, which takes place at the legendary Woodhill Country Club on Monday, Sept. 14View photos from last year.

 

The event begins with an 11 a.m. lunch, followed by a noon shotgun (two best balls of four net), finishing with cocktails and hors d'ouevres in the clubhouse.

 

All proceeds benefit our programs and bring hope and encouragement to the community. Please join us for a fun and inspiring day and help families in our communities stabilize, strengthen and thrive! We look forward to seeing you.

 

The Earl Cup fee is $3,000 per foursome ($750 per player) and is 75% tax deductible. Sponsorships are available. Register online soon, as we have a limited number of foursomes available! For more information about this fabulous event, email Cate Fossing or call her at 763-489-7513.


EXCITING EXPERIENCES STILL OPEN...ADVENTURE AWAITS!

NEWS FLASH! We loved seeing some of you at the Spread Your Wings gala in June and are happy to announce that the fun has only just begun! Did you miss out on your chance to sign up for Exciting Experiences that evening? Today is your lucky day.

There are still a limited number of Exciting Experiences available. These unique events are available for a set fee, and all proceeds go to IOCP. Once the season of fun begins, spots will fill up quickly -- so book yours today! Learn more about event details and descriptions.

  • Polaris Tour, Test Drive and Taste -
    Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 / Polaris Development Center in Wyoming, MN
  • Lake Street Ladies Night - Begin with a fall fashion preview at Merilou Boutique, followed by progressive drinks and tastes. Leave with a spectacular swag bag! 
    Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015 / Merilou Boutique, Wayzata
  • Night in Bollywood - Enjoy an authentic Indian dinner, live music and dancing under the stars. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 / Medina home
  • Champagne and Chagall - Create your own personal masterpiece with mentoring in acrylic impressionist painting technique. Includes champagne with "brunch bites" and all supplies. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 / Ages 21+ / North Minneapolis artist's studio
  • Happy Planting Happy Hour - Create your own stunning and unique seasonal planter with expert guidance from Otten Bros. professionals while enjoying autumn-inspired refreshments. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 / Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping, Long Lake
  • Blessings Bash - Join your girlfriends for an inspiring and uplifting evening of faith and music. Wine, dine and be thankful with local faith leaders!
    Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015 / Minnetonka Center for the Arts
  • Craft Beer Tour and Tasting -
    Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 / Ages 21+ / Excelsior Brewing Co., Excelsior
Check out the details about these Exciting Experiences and sign up today! Thanks again for your SUPER support of Spread Your Wings and IOCP!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: ANDIN DEMA, CAMP CONECT

Andin (right) with a youth at Camp CONECT
Andin Dema has always liked working with kids, so when her high school volunteer coordinator mentioned an opportunity with Camp CONECT two years ago, she jumped right in!

"I was inspired by the history of IOCP and its unwavering dedication to serving families in need," said Andin. "I wanted to help address the achievement gap within the Wayzata school district in a hands-on way."

Andin has been a committed Homework Club tutor, as well as a positive role model for youth in Camp CONECT. "I've enjoyed building connections with the kids. They're bright, funny, silly, playful and sometimes shy -- just like I was when I was younger."
QUICK LINKS

 

 
Mission
The mission of IOCP is to engage the heart and will of the community to respond to emergency needs and create opportunities for all to thrive.


Contact Us
1605 County Road 101 N
Plymouth MN 55447
(763) 489-7500
  
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Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners and the IOCP Endowment Fund, which solely benefits IOCP, are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Gifts to either organization are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.