NDDC Downtown Forum to host Jim Sheibel Dec. 6 December 6, 2005

The Northfield Downtown Development Corp. (NDDC) will host author, anti-poverty advocate and former politician Jim Scheibel at its monthly Downtown Forum in December. The event, scheduled at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, will be held in the lower-level conference room of the Archer House in downtown Northfield.

Scheibel will discuss his new book, ?The Promise of Partnerships: Tapping into the College as a Community Asset.? Designed for use by community-based organizations, the book is intended to help organizations tap into the resources and expertise of local colleges and universities.

?We are privileged to have both Carleton and St. Olaf colleges in Northfield,? said 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/refugee issues and national service. He is currently executive director of Ramsey Action Programs Inc., the Community Action Agency serving Ramsey and Washington counties.

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.

Please call 507-663-0319 with questions or visit www.nddc.org.