Winnebago will bring resources to Rosemount neighborhood

Talk about it

On July 31 a 38-foot Winnebago will set up in the Rosemount Woods neighborhood. The recreational vehicle will bring with it activities for kids and information for their parents. The RV is part of the University of Minnesota Dakota County Extension On the Move program.

The program uses the RV to bring services and information to the people who need them the most, said Suzanne Sheridan, program coordinator.

On the Move brings partners to the programs that connect families to community resources including the library summer reading program, nutrition education, vaccinations and public health services. The mobile teaching center travels to low-income communities and offers a safe place for youth to engage in fun, educational activities after school and during summer vacation.

They will also bring with them representatives from different organizations in the county who offer services including public health and law enforcement for adults to speak with.

“We gather what resources we can and bring them along,” said Sheridan. “We are trying to build community connections.”

The Winnebago has been in Rosemount several times already this summer without much success. Sheridan said they hope the upcoming event will draw more people.

The On the Move Winnebago will in the Rosemount Woods neighborhood from 11 a.m. to noon July 31.

Sheridan said they will set up fun activities for kids. Robert Trail children’s librarian Kathy Kleckner will be there.

“It’s pretty cool. The kids love it,” said Shira Rabinowicz, 360 Communities volunteer coordinator. Rabinowicz, who leads the Rosemount Family Resource Center, encouraged people to take advantage of having the RV in their neighborhood.

History

Throughout the year the Winnebago travels around the county offering fun for kids and resources to adults. The On the Move program began 20 years ago.

The program was initially funded by a United States Department of Agriculture State Strengthening grant. Currently, grants and contracts fund 25 percent of the program.  Dakota County provides the rest of the funding.  The program has maintained the same number of collaborators and expanded the number of sites they visit each year.

On the Move has been a catalyst for the development of permanent family resource centers in four communities that utilized staff. 

Sheridan said the program aims to empower families and to strengthen communities. Learn more about On the Move at www.extension.umn.edu/family/on-the-move-for-minnesota-families.

Tags: news, rosemount, community