2619 East Franklin Avenue,   Minneapolis, MN 55406   *  Telephone: 612.338.8729   *  Fax: 612.399.0739

SPEAKOUT NOTES

The following notes are taken exactly as written by participants of the Speak Out! for Franklin Avenue that was held on April 12th. Over 75 people attended.

Youth

General Comments:
One of our biggest feedbacks was that we need a youth center for Seward youth. A couple of suggestions for where we could have it was Matthews Park building being expanded, Movement Art Center, abandoned building with a big space, etc. There would need to be much more brainstorming on this idea.

Another big suggestion was that there should be more ways, events, activities or programs for different generations to meet and get to know each other. People would like to see inter-generation connections. Such as having youth who are artists being set up with adult artist mentors in Seward.

A lot of residents felt that we Seward neighborhood needs more jobs for teens 14 years and older. It was suggested that volunteerism has no appeal to teenagers because they need steady paying jobs.

People also stated that we should have more activities for youth such as arts and crafts classes, swimming, singing and dancing classes and also game time where kids could get together and play different games like chess, scrabble, ping-pong etc.

Youth would also like to see more activities for youth that are 12 years and older.

A suggestion was made that we recruit a board member to join our youth committee when it begins.

Someone suggested that we have youth mock political meeting and some kind of community service volunteering for youth which we already have but they would like to see opportunities on the website that are specific for youth.

Another suggestion was that SNG should establish some type of youth led business where youth could get experience and harness creative entrepreneurial spirit.

Also suggested was conflict resolution training where kids could come and get conflicts resolved or learn how to resolve conflicts on their own and build social skills. These trainings could be once every three months and be open to all youth.

Someone suggested that there should be less suburbia buildings because theyÕre extremely ugly.

Big suggestion was a Candy Store that sold lots of chocolate.