RCLLG April Newsletter

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Newsletter Content:

1. May Social Event Invitation

2. Trash Talk Program Recap

3. Webinars & Resources

4. 2023 Program Recaps

May the 4th be with RCLLG

Thursday, May 4 | 5:00 PM

El Sombrero Restaurant

Market Place Center, 2900 Rice Street, Little Canada 55117

Join the force of RCLLG by enjoying this time to connect with other members and celebrate spring in a fun, casual setting. A delicious assortment of appetizers will be served (beverages not included), a trivia game will be played and great conversations will be had. Share this invitation with anyone in your organization – all RCLLG member organizations are invited! Please R.S.V.P by May 3rd.

Attendance is FREE! All RCLLG member communities and organizations are invited – please share this invitation with your elected officials and staff!

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

"RCLLG is Trash Talking"

Program Summary

Last Friday, April 14^th, RCLLG invited a few "trash talkers" to our members program! We learned how our communities in Ramsey County can more effectively manage waste and be more environmentally friendly, and were fortunate to hear from representatives from Ramsey County, Maplewood, and White Bear Lake Area Schools.

Representatives from Ramsey County spoke on the new curbside food scraps pickup program pilot, a multiple year joint partnership with Washington County. The pilot is to be launched this month in 5,000 households amongst Cottage Grove, Newport, Maplewood, and North Saint Paul. We heard from:

• Trista MatasCastillo, Ramsey County Commissioner
• Michael Reed, Division Manager, Saint Paul Ramsey County Public Health Department
• Andrea McKennan, Outreach & Engagement Program Supervisor, Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health, Environmental Health Division

Shann Finwall, Maplewood Environmental Planner and Kathleen Juenemann, Maplewood Council Member, then explained the evolution of Maplewood’s recycling program and its origins 1987. While facing resistance at its inception, today’s organized trash and recycling system allows for increased efficiency and lowered costs.

Lastly, Daniel Roeser, the Director of Building Operations at White Bear Lake Area Schools, shared their schools’ “Food to Hogs” launch in 2016. Benefits of this program include a diversion of 84% of waste, including 800,000 Styrofoam trays and 200 pounds of food waste per cafeteria/day. Dan shared how WBL school's partnership with Ramsey County has ensured WBL schools have the resources they need.

Download Ramsey County's Slide Deck

Download Maplewood's Slide Deck

Download WBL School's Slide Deck

Resources from RCLLG Members

Many Faces, Many Students Event

NAMI Ramsey County Resources

NAMI-Ramsey County Spring Webinar Series in Partnership with the Ramsey County Public Library

NAMI Ramsey County invites you to participate in their spring webinar series offered in partnership with Ramsey County Public Library. All programs are free, open to interested adults in Ramsey County (and beyond), and will be recorded for future access.  

Anosognosia and Serious Mental Illnesses

Wednesday, May 10 | 6:30-8:00 PM

Register here

Childhood Trauma and Healing

Thursday, June 1 | 6:30-8:00 PM

Register here

First-Ever Mental Health Clubhouse

Mental Health Clubhouse: Filling a Gap in Ramsey County for People Living with Serious Mental Illness



With a diverse partnership and in collaboration with Vail Place, NAMI Ramsey County is excited to lay the groundwork to launch our county's first-ever mental health clubhouse. The clubhouse model is an evidence-based program that promotes purpose, employment and social engagement among people living with serious mental illnesses. To learn more about this successful approach and efforts underway to start a local clubhouse, you are invited to access the following 90 minute recording of their recent webinar offered on March 7th. Click the button below to access.

For more info and to get involved, please contact Co-Chair Mindy Greiling. 

Check out the 2023 RCLLG directory

Find contact information for members and state legislators, read handy information about RCLLG, and more! Visit our website to view this directory at any time.

2023 Program Recaps

As we look towards our next program, we want to provide you with a lookback on our 2023 programs.

January: No program held in January.

February: On February 10, we held our annual Legislative Priorities & Updates program. It was a busy time due to the legislative session, and we were fortunate to hear updates from Rep. Hemmingsen-Jaeger, Senator Sandra Pappas, Representative Liz Lee, and Senator John Marty.

March: On March 8th, we heard presentations discussing the shortage of students/youth pursuing the skilled trades and its impact on our workforce and communities. We heard from Scott Stallman, Provost at Dunwoody; Don Mullin, Saint Paul Building Trades Council Executive; Jill Stewart-Kellar, Northeast Metro 916 School District, and Ling Becker, Ramsey County’s Director of Workforce Solutions.