NEWS ARTICLE

North Oaks residents discuss current civil unrest and community outreach

February 1, 2021

Originally posted in the February 2021 North Oaks News, pg 7

In a tense political climate with civil unrest and the disturbing events at the Capitol last month, the North Oaks Residents Together for Human Equity (NORTHE) community group held its monthly virtual meeting in January and acknowledged the challenging environment. A founding tenet of NORTHE is civility, and in upholding the group’s principles, we provided a safe and inclusive space for our neighbors to express concerns over the violence while also focusing on solutions.

While we as neighbors may hold differing views and disagree on issues, our hope is that we can be unified in what is not acceptable, which includes hateful speech and cruelty. The monthly meetings will continue to be a time for residents to join the conversation and contribute ideas for North Oaks residents to promote human and social equity both within the North Oaks community and out in the larger Twin Cities metro area. In meeting one of our pillars for community outreach, NORTHE was able to give back to our Minneapolis neighbors through our first fundraiser.

In November, during a holiday season already devastated by a relentless pandemic which only has seemed to further the disparities amongst communities of color, NORTHE organized a Holiday Donation Drive benefiting two Minneapolis nonprofits. The North Oaks community donated an overwhelming $800 in gift cards for Project for Pride in Living (PPL), a Minneapolis nonprofit whose focus is to empower communities in Minneapolis affected by systemic inequities. Twin Cities Stand Together (TCST), who like NORTHE, was formed following the killing of George Floyd, benefitted by receiving more than 70 toys for children of all ages, as well as countless food items and clothing.

This contribution to the greater good came together due to the generosity and collaboration of our neighbors, and while it’s one step, NORTHE hopes our continued efforts will reverberate to the collective positive spirit and action to create a better, kinder world.

NORTHE welcomes all voices within North Oaks to join in our efforts through community building, community outreach beyond city limits, and community action. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, or questions and curiosities, please send an email to northe.oaks@gmail.com.

— Courtney Lewis Opdahl and Jane Anderson, NORTHE founding members