Thursday, November 6, 2025

Lunch Buffet

Doors Open 11:30AM

At

 

Sarah has always had a deep love for community and a natural talent for connecting people and resources. With a decade of experience owning her own small business, she decided to channel her lifelong passion for non-profits in a new direction. After years of volunteering and serving on various boards, she began pursuing work in the non-profit sector in 2023, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact.

 

Sarah’s connection to 23rd Veteran is deeply personal. Her late grandfather, a decorated Korean War veteran who loved to share his war stories, would have been thrilled to see her join an organization that supports veterans. Her role at 23rd Veteran allows her to blend her business acumen and passion for service into a career that she finds both fulfilling and purpose-driven.

 

Wednesday, November 5 from 1:00-3:00pm

Food packing at the new West Duluth Facility

Contact Dan Maki to volunteer – dmaki@axcentialwealth.com or 218-590-3593

 

Volunteers are still needed for food donations, serving and clean up on Tuesday, November 25

Contact Dan Dock to volunteer – dandockdc@aol.com or 218-724-7801

 

December 5 and December 19 from 11:00am – 1:00pm

Bell ringing will take place at five Super One Stores, Lakeside, Plaza, Kenwood, Miller Mall and West Duluth.

Contact Jerry Pelofske to volunteer – pelof@alo.com or 218-879-7416

 

Sign up for the Annual Paul Harris Dinner on November 6 at Pier B hosted by Duluth Superior Eco Rotary.  Visit the Duluth Superior Eco Rotary Club website to sign up.

 

 

By Renee Burns

 

The October 30 meeting was called to order by President Zach Walters, who made us all jump with a very loud bell strike, followed by Past President Branden Robinson or should we say, Pastor Robinson, with a fitting Reflection.  He noted that housing is more than a place to hang our hats.  Housing is fundamental to the human condition.  We may each envision an ideal home differently, but there are certain essentials that only stable housing can provide: physical and emotional well-being, family stability, and the opportunity to build a better future.  Rotary’s six areas of focus connect directly or indirectly to the availability and stability of housing.  For every individual, family and community we serve, housing is the root of a healthy society, the launchpad for a hopeful future and at the end of the day, the place that gathers us close to those who matter most.

 

Past President Branden Robinson with a thoughtful Reflection on the importance of housing.

 

Guest introductions included Judy Sage, our Junior Rotarians, and those receiving grants from the Grant Committee.

 

The Golden Can was kicked by Renee Burns with thanks to those who volunteered for the Rotary District 5580 Conference as well as those who attended.  The conference was especially important as it was hosted in Past President and District Governor Elaine Hansen’s hometown of Duluth, by her home club.

 

Patra Sevastiades kicked the can in honor of her brother who passed away four years ago, but she received happy news from his daughters, one who recently gave birth and one who announced her pregnancy.  His legacy lives on through his family.

 

 Renee Burns with thanks to the volunteers and attendees at the Rotary District 5580 Conference                    

Patra Sevastiades gave baby announcements.

 

Past President Chana Stocke made grant presentations to two organizations, the Denfeld Robotics Team who received a check for $2,000 to fund a new structure to use while at competitions and allow them to make repairs to their robots on site.

 

A check for $2,500 was awarded to Project Joy which was started 13 years ago to address childhood hunger.  Project Joy packs 7,000 bags of food for children facing food insecurity during the summer months when school meals are not available.

 

Past President Chana Stocke awarding grants to two organizations, Denfeld Robotics Team and Project Joy.

 

Piper Hamilton and Trevor Engstrom accepting a grant on behalf of the Denfeld Robotics Team

 

Founder of Project Joy, Laura Andrews accepting a grant

Chair of the Day Bob Reichert was next up to introduce the speaker, Jill Keppers, Executive Director of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth.

 

Bob Reichert introduced the speaker Jill Keppers

 

Jill began informing the members of the three primary housing agencies in Duluth, Center City, One Roof and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth, or HRA.  She noted everyone at HRA lives by their WHY, “Everyone Should Have a Home”.

 

HRA has five program areas, Family Housing, High Rise Housing, Family Self-Sufficiency Program, Section 8 Rental Assistance and Single Family and Rental Rehabilitation.  They have a seven-member board, appointed by the Mayor, and 65 employees.

 

Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth Team

 

Within the six high rise buildings owned by the HRA there are 752 units, there are 296 units of scattered site family housing, 44 tax credit units, 18-cottages, 70 senior units and 40 new tax credit units at Harbor Highlands for a total of 1,220 units in their vast system.  The agency has been moving away from the traditional public housing model which leaves them open to political whims and potentially a loss of funding.  There are many misnomers about public housing that Jill sought to dispel during her program.  First among them is the notion that tenants of public housing do not pay for their unit.  In fact, tenants pay 30% of their income to rent and government assistance pays the gap.  As well, Section 8 housing is not a program that allows the tenant to live anywhere they wish, there are limits and the rent subsidy voucher are not accepted by all landlords.

 

The rent subsidy programs are there to help people live in a stable environment while they work to “graduate” from assistance programs.  A new State program, “Bring it Home Minnesota” has been established and will add more stability to the housing assistance programs.

 

While there are a number of programs within the HRA that provide important and necessary assistance to renters and even homeowners, like the Emergency Repair Program for instance, Jill is particularly proud of their Contractor Training Program.  This is a partnership between the HRA and Community Action Duluth that trains individuals through classes at Lake Superior College and will earn graduates a construction certificate at the completion of the course.  This program not only helps lift up the students to gainful employment but provides Duluth contractors with a trained workforce through the on the job experience they receive directly from HRA when the students work on blighted homes during their training.

 

An exciting project on the horizon is the Mission Heights Housing & Engagement Center.  This is a partnership with Union Gospel Mission and will provide services and shelter for the unhoused.  The project, when funded, will be built across from the Government Services Center on Second Street and provide a one stop shop for food, health and housing resources.  The model has been successful in other communities and will provide the services needed for those requiring this type of care in our community.  The first floor will have the services and the second and third floors will be 40 new supportive housing units.  Hopefully the legislature will provide the general obligation bonds for this project in the 2026 session.

 

Jill Keppers, Executive Director HRA Duluth

 

The meeting was concluded with the always anticipated 50/50 drawing, won by Patra Sevastiades!