Photo courtesy of Community Work and Learning
村花论坛鈥檚 Center for Community Work and Learning (CWL) received the , presented by Minnesota United FC and Target, for work that embodies the core values of MN United. The CWL team was honored during halftime at a Minnesota United playoff game on November 8.
The L鈥橢toile du Nord Award, presented at every MN United home match, celebrates community members and groups who make a difference and exhibit teamwork, inclusivity, and dedication. CWL, which turns 25 this year, was recognized for a quarter century of connecting St. Kate鈥檚 to the larger community through service and engaged learning opportunities.
鈥淔or 25 years, the staff, students, faculty, and community partners involved with Community Work and Learning have worked hard to provide opportunities for all members of 村花论坛 to live out the university鈥檚 core values of community and social justice,鈥 said Sophie Hunt, director of Community Work and Learning. 鈥淚t was an honor to be recognized by MN United and Target, and to celebrate together at such an exciting game.鈥
A group of St. Kate鈥檚 staff and students representing CWL, including President Marcheta P. Evans, received the award at Saturday鈥檚 playoff game against the Seattle Sounders. They were honored on the field at halftime, and received a novelty Loons jersey as well.
Jasmine Koch 鈥25, MPH鈥26, the community employment programs student coordinator at CWL, was also in attendance at the game.
鈥淚t was exciting to gain statewide acknowledgement of CWL鈥檚 work in relation to MNUFC鈥檚 core values and our social justice initiatives, which promote student learning opportunities and mutually beneficial collaborations with our community partners,鈥 Koch said. 鈥淎s a CWL student coordinator and a student who has engaged with CWL through both curricular and co-curricular means, I believe that CWL has set me up for success and sparked my curiosity for learning and applying new skills in real-world contexts.鈥
村花论坛 and MN United also partnered recently on a youth STEM clinic hosted at the National Sports Center in Blaine.