Social media, politics and many sources for our news seem to be feeding into the polarization that focuses on our differences rather than the humanity we share. How often do you feel that people are really listening to you and wanting to know what you need? One of the hallmarks of a healthy community is that sense of wanting to know and caring about what our neighbors need.
Over a month ago W.E.Connect ran an article asking whether the West End was a community. We proposed holding listening sessions where citizens of Lutsen, Schroeder and Tofte can express what they or their neighbors need. The time has arrived for those listening sessions in the next week and a half at each of those town halls. We have tried to schedule varied times so if you are not able to make one at your township, you are more than welcome at either of the others.
The first session will be at the Schroeder Town Hall on Wednesday, April 25 from 7-8 p.m. The second session will be at the Lutsen Town Hall on Saturday, April 28 from 1–2 p.m.; the third will be at the Tofte Town Hall on Thursday, May 3 from 7-8 p.m. We will have open ears and fresh coffee and treats and are looking forward to your ideas. If you perchance cannot make any of those times call and leave a voicemail at the W.E.Connect phone (218) 663-7977 or email us at WEConnect@boreal.org. We are also mailing out questionnaires that you can mail back to us.
Our hope is that with your ideas of what is needed W.E.Connect can serve as a bridge to existing programs in Cook County that also want more outreach to the West End. We also hope to provide seed money and grant proposals to create programs that don’t exist but address the needs you’ve identified. Working together for our collective good is what makes for the healthy community that the West End is becoming.
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