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Author speaks on college-community partnerships

By Amy Gage
December 6, 2005

The Northfield Downtown Development Corp. (NDDC) hosted author, anti-poverty advocate and former politician Jim Scheibel at its monthly Downtown Forum today.

Scheibel's talk included a discussion about his new book, The Promise of Partnerships: Tapping into the College as a Community Asset. The book is intended to help community-based organizationstap into the resources and expertise of local colleges and universities.

"We are privileged to have both Carleton and St. Olaf colleges in Northfield, and to have staff members of those colleges serving on the NDDC board," says Ross Currier, executive director of the NDDC. "And we're excited to hear Mr. Scheibel address how organizations and individuals can make contact with the right people on campus and ensure that our colleges, including the students and faculty, are true partners in any enterprise in Northfield."

Scheibel is an acknowledged leader in hunger, homelessness, immigration and refugee issues and national service. He is currently executive director of Ramsey Action Programs Inc., the Community Action Agency serving Ramsey and Washington counties in the Twin Cities.

Recently, Scheibel was president and CEO of Project for Pride in Living (PPL), one of Minnesota?s largest non-profit housing and job training organizations. Throughout his years at PPL, Scheibel emphasized education as the primary means for people to lift themselves out of poverty and enhance their self-sufficiency.

A Senate-confirmed appointee of former President Bill Clinton, Scheibel served as vice president of the Corporation for National Service. In that capacity, he served as director of AmeriCorps VISTA and National Senior Service Corps.

Scheibel served 12 years in elected office in his hometown of St. Paul. He was a City Council member and council president and served four years as mayor. He emphasized strong neighborhoods and economic development, and gained a national reputation for creating affordable housing, fighting hunger and homelessness and supporting refugees seeking self-sufficiency.

Scheibel has been a community organizer and political activist throughout his life. He was key to starting organizations such as Westside Citizens Organization, Westside Voice, Neighborhood Press Association and St. Paul Coalition for the Homeless. His professional career began as a youth worker and community organizer at McDonough Homes in St. Paul.

The Northfield Downtown Development Corp. is a volunteer organization that serves as a voice for downtown. It is made up of business owners and leaders, college representatives, city employees and local residents. For more information, call Executive Director Ross Currier at 507-663-0319.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.