Staff Contact Info:

Lam, Director:

612-247-2097

Lynn, Manager:

612-404-9315

Supervisors:

Tovah, Artworks

Program Supervisor:

612-916-5121 

Specialists:

Ashley, Housing Coordinator:

612-210-1393

Jamie, Housing Coordinator,

612-481-3234

J-D, Employment

Coordinator:

612-449-5709

Kate, Mental Health

Professional:

612-446-9119

Community

Coordinators:

Pam (NatureWorks):

612-532-1713

Lusu (FoodWorks):

612-978-7922

Wellness Coach:

Mary (FoodWorks):

612-499-7955

Hilary (Artworks):

612-916-7928

Peer Specialists:

Michael (NatureWorks):

612-499-7960

Rick (ArtWorks):

763-321-0222

CSP Main Lines:

612-752-8350 or

612-752-8300

RSVP line:

612-752-8332

Check It Out

CSP EVENT SPOTLIGHT

*Desdamona - Spoken Word/Poetry:

Desdamona is a writer and an engaging performer who works in the realm of Spoken Word and Hip-Hop. She stumbled upon the art of spoken word as an outlet for her lyrical expression. As a student, the opportunity to experiment and create helped to develop her identity and self-esteem. When she struggled in areas of school, art led her through and gave her something that made her feel powerful. “It taught me to adapt and change and this ability is one that has benefited me greatly in life.” She loves to share her work and learn about participants and what they are interested in so that together they can create something that makes them feel powerful. Event details are below *.

**Alison Bergblom Johnson - Literary Post:

Alison is a storyteller, writer, and collage artist committed to personal topics. She is a teaching artist because many of the techniques central to her art practice - juxtaposition (putting unrelated objects or topics together), metaphor (the claim something is literally something else entirely), or enacting an emotion (in a performance) - are celebrated as part of artistic achievements, but are stigmatized as part of some mental health diagnoses. Alison is experienced and committed to working with individuals with disabilities. Her stories and essays focus on sensitive personal topics that are often told with humor in an understated and spare style. Alison also has an interest in holding space for difficult topics and important information. Event details are below **.

Peruvian Cacao Ceremony,

Thursday Sept 17, 12:30-2 @ 1825 Chicago Ave [Garden]

Join us for this very special event. Drinking cacao (pure, raw chocolate from South America mixed with warm water) is an ancient practice used to open up the heart and facilitate going into a relaxed meditative state. Cacao has been considered the drink of the gods! After the cacao is served, drumming and beautiful music will be played as you allow yourself to go into total relaxation. This event will happen rain or shine. If it is raining we will move into the garage area of 1825. Dress for the weather. Come early if you want to eat a hot meal before the ceremony. Participants need to tolerate chocolate and caffeine. To RSVP, call 612-752-8332.

Meet the Author, a Book Club event,

Wednesday Sept 22, 1-1:30, following Book Club 12-1 on Zoom

Avivo’s book club arranged to have bestselling author Lisa See Zoom in. To RSVP, call 612-752-8332. Lisa See is an American writer and novelist. See's novel, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane (2017), is a story about circumstances, culture, and distance among the Akha people of Xishuangbanna, China. Her 2019 novel The Island of Sea Women is a story about female friendship and family secrets on Jeju Island before, during and in the aftermath of the Korean War.

Tasty Tuesday: Apple Tasting,

Tuesday September 21, @ 1825 Chicago Ave [Garden]

This month's Tasty Tuesday we will be tasting a variety of apples and rating them for flavor and other characteristics. Honey Crisp is a homegrown favorite that soared to national fame but what other apple varieties can you find in Minnesota? Find out at Tasty Tuesday Apple Tasting! To RSVP, call 612-752-8332.

Check out the full September calendar on-line

To RSVP for groups, call 612-752-8332

NEW VENUE, Squirrel Haus Arts:

An 8,000 sq. ft. creative incubator, community gathering space, performance venue, workshop and art gallery, located at 3450 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406

MORE Groups starting starting in September

Expressive Therapy Groups,

Thursdays 10:30-11:30 & 11:30-12:30 @ Squirrel Haus Arts

Hands-on creative therapy in a very small group setting. Starts Thursday, September 9th.

Call Kate at 612-446-9119 for more information and to sign-up. This is a therapeutic offering.

***Insurance is required***

*Developing Your Voice through Spoken Word,

Thursdays 1-3, September 9, 16, 23, 30; Oct. 7, @ Squirrel Haus Arts

This workshop series focuses on process; participants explore their voices through a variety of approaches. Des begins each session with storytelling exercises that encourage everyone to open up, see commonalities, and find value in sharing their thoughts, ideas, and stories. The group explores identity, poetic forms, social justice poetry throughout their time together. Participants are invited to share their work in an informal or community event.

To RSVP, call 612-752-8332.

**Literary Post: An analog writing program,

Thursday September 2, 11:30 – 12:30 pm @ Squirrel Haus Arts

Literary Post is a revived COMPAS program from the pre-digital age. Its purpose is to connect writers with COMPAS Teaching Artists via mail or email. This program helps reach people who may be socially isolated or are not connected to the internet to stay engaged and connected. Avivo writers will send their works in progress to a COMPAS Teaching Artist via mail or email and the COMPAS artist will return their work with edits, suggestions, and comments. The writing exchange is designed to happen over a few months, depending on the scope of each writing project. The Avivo writers’ work will be included in the anthology, and they will be invited to read their work at the final celebration.

To RSVP, call 612-752-8332.

Coping with Anxiety,

Thursday 12-1, 9, 16, 23, 30; on Zoom

Coping with Anxiety is a group to learn and share coping strategies while supporting each other . Each month we focus on a different nature theme. September: Apples! Each week we will learn something different about apples . Be sure to check out apple tasting opportunity on Tasty Tuesday 9/21. To RSVP, call 612-752-8332.

Disc Golf,

Monday September 20, 1-3 @ Bassett Creek Park (6001 32nd Ave N, Crystal, MN 55422)

Meet at Bassett Creek Park by 12:30pm for light snacks to boost our energy and then join us for a lively round of disc golf 1:00-3:00pm. Frisbees provided. Wear good walking shoes and dress for weather. To RSVP, call 612-752-8332.

Fishing for Fall,

Coming soon! Dates TBD @ Bde Maka Ska

Let's get a rod and some bait as we explore fishing through the fall.

So many people struggle with balance in their lives. Here are five tips that will help you move towards a more balanced life:



1.   Think about what your most important values are and how you want to spend your time. (Have no idea? Schedule a one-on-one with me).

2.   Let go of trying to manage other people’s expectations. Remember that someone else’s expectation of you is theirs, not yours.

3.   Take care of your health. If you feel healthy, you can deal with all the crud that the world may throw at you.

4.   Learn to say no and stay firm. It’s essential to set your boundaries and stay firm to them. 

5.   And finally, the last tip, have fun with your time! Reward yourself and do things you enjoy. 

Dear Mary, what is meant by a “low salt diet?’

While sodium is an essential element to our bodies, overdoing it can create many health risks. The primary source of sodium in our diet is salt. On average, Americans eat more than double the amount of salt needed every day. To lead a low salt diet, you will need to restrict high-sodium food and drink.

First, cut out processed food, in particular sandwich meat. Next, look on labels to see if you notice the following- low sodium, no salt added, sodium-free, or unsalted. Go ahead and try the foods that have those labels. There are plenty of options for a low sodium diet. Check out different types of bread, cereal, rice, or pasta. Unsalted fish, dried beans, eggs, and nuts are great to eat too. Once you cut down on salt, food will be tastier because the authentic flavors will pop out. Bon appetite!

*A monthly column by our FoodWorks Wellness Coach, Mary Newstrom!

Have a wellness questions? Send them to Mary and she will answer any questions and give suggestions about wellness. If you have a question, you may send it to Mary’s email address: [email protected] or call it in to our RSVP line at: (612)752-8332.