Et cetera : Cedar 7 Rolls Up Their Sleeves in Minnesota

Corps Member Matt Bickers prices books.

Corps Member Jacob Honis paints dressing rooms.

By: Alex Bissell

On March 13, AmeriCorps NCCC team Cedar 7 started work at a thrift shop managed by Family Pathways. There were a series of tasks assigned to them, the first of which was to dismantle the North Branch bookstore and load its books and shelves into a truck, then reassemble the shelves at the Forest Lakes thrift shop. The books were sorted, priced and shelved. Meanwhile, other team members took turns painting the dressing rooms and unloading the hard goods trailer (filled with everything from lamps to skis to vases) and the soft goods trailer (clothing, blankets etc.).

“I really enjoy sorting the mountains of books that they have stocked and organizing them so that others can get the chance to read them.” says NCCC member Matt Bickers from Portland, Ore.

As their website affirms, Family Pathways benefits people through their desire to strengthen bonds, develop supportive relationships within them and provide basic needs to the community. The organization also operates a food shelf and a teen center in the same building.

On Wednesday, March 20, the team transitioned to working for the City of Chisago City. Some of their tasks include work at Ojiketa Regional park where they are organizing and cleaning cabinsand painting the license bureau at Chisago City Hall.