Get Involved

Learn how you can give back to our schools by becoming a volunteer! Learn more on our Volunteer Program page! 

Are you or your organization interested in collaborating with Eden Prairie social service providers and nonprofits to create a stronger community? Join us as we learn from one another, explore gaps in services in Eden Prairie, and leverage resources to develop collective solutions. The group is composed of a cross-section of the community representing residents, local nonprofits, Eden Prairie Schools, government entities, churches, and other individuals who are interested in creating a vibrant and responsive community. 

CEIC Vision Statement: A vibrant community where diversity is celebrated and all feel welcomed, respected, connected, and engaged.

CEIC Mission Statement: To work collaboratively to build upon our community strengths, to foster connectedness and access to resources, and to address community needs and gaps in services. 

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Join Us! 
If you would like to participate or learn more about the CEIC, please contact Molly Patil, Director of Adult & Community Engagement Programs at mpatil@edenpr.org.

2020/2021 Meeting Dates were as follows (all meetings are 3:00-4:30 pm):

September 30, 2020 via Zoom

November 11, 2020 via Zoom

January 13, 2021 – Via Zoom

March 10, 2021 – Format/Location is TBD

May 12, 2021 – Format/Location is TBD

July 13, 2021 – Format/Location is TBD

What is the Early Childhood Advisory Council? As a group of interested parents, we seek to be informed and to inform decisions that affect Eden Prairie’s Early Childhood Programs.  Monthly meetings will focus on topics such as:

• Technology use in Eden Prairie’s Early Childhood classrooms
• Legislative dialogue with one of our state Legislators
• Preschool and ECFE program offerings for the upcoming school year
• District Superintendent conversation about Early Childhood initiatives

Council members may also volunteer to participate on any of our ongoing working committees:

• Advocacy
• Fundraising
• Community Outreach
• Communication

Childcare during meetings is provided for children ages 0-5 with one week’s advance RSVP. If you have any questions or are interested in joining the Advisory Council, please contact Sarah Moline at smoline@edenpr.org.

Winter Warm-Up & Friday Fun Day

Community Education hosts two large family-friendly events each year that are free and open to the public. The Winter Warm-Up event takes place on a Saturday morning early in the year at the Education Center. Friday Fun Day is typically from 5:00–7:00 PM on a Friday in April at our Lower Campus Preschool Center.

Each year, approximately 300-600 people join us for FREE family fun including games, classroom activities, music, dancing, face painting and more! Families have the opportunity to meet our early childhood staff, ask questions, and get help registering for preschool, ECFE or other Community Education programs.

Our Family Resources Program also sponsors a community resource fair at both Winter Warm-Up and Friday Fun Day. Local nonprofits and service organizations are invited to host tables and share information with families about available programs and services. If you are interested in hosting a table at our resource fair, please contact Reta Johnson at reta_johnson@edenpr.org or 952-975-7030.

Back-to-School Supplies Drive

Every year, students need adequate supplies to be successful in school. The Back-to-School Supply Drive is our opportunity to ensure all students are prepared, even if a family is experiencing financial hardship. 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Supplies provided to match student needs
• Easy process for families – no need to verify income, no forms to fill out
• Backpacks/supplies distributed at the schools
• Tailored program better meets individual school needs
• Increased connections between the schools and community 

The 2020 program is a collaborative effort between Grace Church, Wooddale Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools, the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, PROP, the district, multiple community businesses and individual donors, and other churches. We are always happy to welcome additional collaborative partners and hope to expand our reach in future years. This program would not be possible without your support!

WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

• Volunteer with one of our amazing sponsors
• Organize a Supply Drive
• Donate Funds at epcommunityfoundation.org (On donation page, write Eden Prairie School Supply Program in comment box)
• Donate Supplies: Each summer, community members are invited to donate supplies by delivering them to drop-off locations including PROP (14700 Martin Drive) and the Education Center (8040 Mitchell Road) or by shopping our Amazon Wish List of most needed items to be shipped directly to our School Supplies Headquarters!

Even during a pandemic, we were able to support 588 students in 2020, and we hope to serve even more next year!

A HUGE thank you to the following Eden Prairie Churches who stepped up to "Adopt a School" for the 2020 program:

• Grace Church (Oak Point & Cedar Ridge)
• Wooddale Church (CMS & Eden Lake)
• Immanuel Lutheran Church (Prairie View)
• St. Andrew Lutheran Church (Forest Hills)

HOW TO ACCESS THE PROGRAM:

In typical years, families in need access supplies during Back-to-School Open House Nights across the district by simply stopping by the schools their children will be attending for the upcoming school year and asking for the School Supplies Program. Families entering the district mid-year can speak with their school social workers if they need help with supplies. For more details about accessing supplies and other help, visit the Family Resources Program website.

Para obtener información en español, contáctese con Heriberto Vargas en hvargas@edenpr.org o 952-975-7068. 
Haddii aad ubaahan tahay caawinaad af Somali so wac 952-975-7069.

Eden Prairie Community Education is always looking for new and exciting courses to offer. Do you have a special skill, talent or new class idea to share with others? Community Education offers life-long learning for all ages, with classes taking place before and after school, during the evenings, and on the weekends.

TEACH AN ADULT ENRICHMENT CLASS 

For each upcoming season, we open up an online proposal form for potential adult instructors to complete. This provides an opportunity for those who are passionate about sharing their expertise with others to describe a course we could offer in partnership. The Adult Learning Program staff reviews proposals and makes decisions based on customer requests, enrollment data, and current trends in adult learning. 

For more information, view the Teach a Class tab at edenpr.org/adult.

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TEACH A YOUTH ENRICHMENT CLASS 

If you are interested in teaching a Community Education class for youth, please contact Youth Program Specialist, Sam Jay.

View Current Youth Courses

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There are many ways to donate to Community Education that enrich the lives of people in Eden Prairie, and donations help us manage our resources in the best way possible, making our funding stretch even further.

We collaborate with organizations like PROP to support our community members in need and create a culture of giving and gratitude. We seek organizations to partner with us by sponsoring events, such as the GIVE Gathering, Winter Warm-Up, and Friday Fun Day. Donations in support of special events or equipment purchase are tremendously important in our efforts to keep costs down while maintaining high quality programming. Occasionally, donations of food are also welcome during certain times of the year, such as Teacher Appreciation Week.

Your donation to Community Education is tax deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your records. If you would like to designate a gift in honor or memory of someone, we will be happy to send a card to the designee(s) of your donation.

If you would like to explore how your gift can make a difference, please contact Molly Patil, Director of Adult & Community Engagement Programs at mpatil@edenpr.org or 952-975-6942. 

Let's Gather to Inspire Volunteer Engagement!  

Since 2016, we've been excited to co-host the annual GIVE Gathering Volunteer Fair, which is a collaborative effort put on by the City of Eden Prairie, the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, and Community Education. The GIVE Gathering is typically held on a Thursday evening in April at the City Center. This free event is an easy way for community members to explore volunteer opportunities for the entire family with over 30 organizations who serve our Eden Prairie. Attendees also participate in a group service project and can enter to win prizes donated by some of Eden Prairie’s best restaurants and local businesses.

We hope you are able to join us this year, whether you are looking for volunteers to support your organization or are seeking ways to give back!  

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GIVE Gathering Activities

Volunteer Fair

       -Connect with over 30 service and civic organizations and learn about fun volunteer opportunities.

Group Service Projects

       -Previous projects have benefited PROP and the Yellow Ribbon Campaign. 

Nonprofit Networking

       -Learn about what other nonprofits are accomplishing in the community and build connections with each other.

Prize Drawing

       -Win prizes from local businesses!

Nonprofit and Service Organizations Participating

Each year more and more nonprofit and service organizations want to be a part of this event and host a table. As the event draws nearer, we will post the list of these organizations on this website.

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Organization Information

Is your nonprofit or civic organization interested in hosting a table at the GIVE Gathering?

The focus of this event is on nonprofits with a charitable mission to improve life in Eden Prairie; it is not suited well for participation by the faith community. Political action groups are not eligible to host a table. Civic organizations or service clubs with paid membership may participate, but only if they have at least one volunteer or engagement opportunity that does not require membership. We are looking to offer a hands-on opportunity for attendees to participate in a service project during this event. If your organization is set up for and willing to host such an activity, please contact Molly Patil at mpatil@edenpr.org or 952-975-6942.

Should we be able to host a 2021 GIVE Gathering, we will post a table request application on this site.

Notes

• Tables are 6’ x 2.5’ in size, two chairs will be available at each table.
• Limited electrical outlets are available. Please note in your application if you need access and plan to bring your own extension cords.
• If bringing food, it must be individually packaged. 
• Promotional items and trinkets are encouraged!
• This event is intended solely to promote volunteer opportunities and is not intended for individual business promotion or member recruitment. Please do not take donations or sell items. 

 

 

PeopleFest! A Community Celebration of Culture

Despite the current situation and challenges in gathering together in person, PeopleFest! 2020 was a success, with events taking place virtually and in person. Plans are underway for the 2021 celebration!

The purpose of PeopleFest! is to bring residents together in celebration and awareness of the many cultures that make Eden Prairie great. Our community-wide celebration is presented in collaboration by the City of Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie Schools Community Education, Eden Prairie Community Foundation, Interfaith Circle, Academy for Young Leaders, Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission, Eden Prairie Chinese Association, India Association of MN, Eden Prairie TreeHouse and others. PeopleFest! is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

To learn more, contact Molly Patil, Director of Adult & Community Engagement Programs, at mpatil@edenpr.org or 952-975-6942.

For more details, visit edenpr.org/peoplefest.

 

Diaper Drive October 1 - 31, 2020

Did you know that a third of Minnesota babies and toddlers don’t have enough clean diapers? Parents in our state are facing the tragic choice between purchasing enough food for their family, or keeping their little ones clean and healthy.

Throughout the month of October, Eden Prairie Schools Community Education and the Early Childhood Advisory Council host a diaper drive to collect diapers in partnership with the Diaper Bank of Minnesota/Help Us Grow. This drive is part of a larger metro-wide collection with the goal of 50,000 diapers. All diapers collected through the Eden Prairie drive will be donated to PROP (People Reaching Out to People) for local families in need. The drive kicks off on October 1st and runs through the 31st. 

Donate through Amazon Wish List

2020 Diaper Drive drop-off sites are:

• Education Center

• Lower Campus 
  Lower Campus is also offering contactless donations. Call 952-975-6940 to arrange a time.

What is Accepted?

• New packages of diapers

• Opened packages of diapers (Did your child outgrow a size so you no longer need them?)

• New packages of wipes

• Cloth diapers

Did You Know?

• 5.3 million children in the U.S. aged three or younger live in poor or low-income families.

• 1 in 3 American families reports experiencing diaper need.

• Diapers cannot be obtained with food stamps.

• Disposable diapers cost $70 to $80 per month per baby.

• No state or federal child safety-net program allocates dollars specifically for the purchase of diapers.

• Infants require up to 12 diapers per day, toddlers about 8.

 

Weekend Food for Kids Program

Weekend Food for Kids is a partnership between Eden Prairie Schools, Every Meal (previously called The Sheridan Story), and a number of generous community sponsors. This program provides free food for children who don't have access to the nutrition they need over weekends during the school year. Food is provided discreetly to children whose parents opt into the program. Any family in need is welcome to participate.

Contact your school's social worker to sign up or learn more.

To learn how to contribute funds or to learn about becoming a sponsor, contact Reta Johnson, Family Resources Specialist, at reta_johnson@edenpr.org or 952-975-7030. 

PROP also runs a Summer Food for Kids Program and provides healthy food for families throughout the year.