Dear Neighbors,
As many of us take a moment to gather with family, friends, and loved ones around the table this week to give thanks, I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for all the incredible work happening in our community.
I’m filled with so much gratitude for our engaged, diverse, and active community brimming with interesting people, caring community organizations, and thriving local businesses. From the remarkable charitable organizations in Minneapolis that have dedicated themselves to making a positive impact, to the vital role of small businesses in our district, as we enter this holiday of gratitude I want to highlight just a few of the people and entities invested in making our district and our city thrive.
Local Businesses Investing in Our Community
South Minneapolis is brimming with local shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and other small businesses that make our district a vibrant place to live, work, play, and connect. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is traditionally Small Business Saturday and this Saturday, I plan on stopping by a few of my favorites:
- I can always count on a great cup of coffee, good conversation, and the playroom buzzing with childhood joy at Sovereign Grounds
- Nokomis Shoe Shop has been outfitting our community for 80 years with outdoor clothing, shoes, and it's where I can find Minnesota & Nokomis attire.
- 14 Hill is the perfect place to buy gifts, jewelry, and other amazing stuff - and I love that it’s a neighborhood shop owned by a neighbor
Are there local spots in our community that you want to lift up and show some love in this season of gratitude? Stop by my official Facebook page and share your favorite local businesses in our district!
Organizations Doing Great Work
There are amazing organizations working to make a difference in our community and I want to take a minute to introduce you to two of them that I’ve had the privilege of working with.
Every Third Saturday (“ETS”) is a non-profit organization serving veterans and helping veterans find their path and purpose after military service. ETS has made East Nokomis their home, and it serves as an important pillar of our East Nokomis neighborhood, and having ETS there strengthens the ecosystem of support for Minnesota veterans. Their story -- of starting as volunteers who Every Third Saturday would provide basic necessities for homeless veterans out of a parking lot -- to ETS - an organization providing veterans with emergency assistance, workforce training, and courses like the Warriors Path to support veterans healing and growth. ETS has been a good neighbor, investing in the neighborhood and broader Nokomis East Community and offering coffee for a cause at Rick’s Coffee Bar.
The Family Enhancement Center has a 30-year track record of serving children and families who’ve experienced trauma and child abuse. FEC has made their home on Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis for decades, where they create lasting solutions to prevent and heal child abuse and neglect and provide a full range of counseling services, in-home parent education, group therapy, parent assessments, mentoring, and parent development services. They serve vulnerable kids and families from our community and around the metro and strengthen our communities by helping to build resilient, connected, and stable families.
Stay in Touch
Thank you for your time, energy, and all you do to make our community a great place for everyone.
Please reach out and let us know about events and meetings you’d like me to attend. And always reach out to me with your input and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. My email is rep.emma.greenman@house.mn.gov or you are always welcome to call me at the Capitol at 651-296-4200 and follow my Facebook page for updates.
It’s an honor and a privilege to be your State Representative. I'm very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish this year and look forward to the work we have ahead of us. Together we can create a stronger, brighter future for all Minnesotans!
Best,
Emma Greenman
State Representative