By Stealth

The Community Citizen Awareness Project had the honor of interviewing a woman who is making a difference in a large community. Patty Gordon, a Metropolitan State Alumni, is making an impact on the deaf community.

Patty is an American Sign Language interpreter and in 2004 was the Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf's outstanding member. She was also honored by former First Lady Mary Pawlenty as a Notable Woman of Minnesota in 2007.

We were able to meet up with Patty one evening at a local coffee shop and chat over a cup of decaf coffee. Patty explained how the nature of her career allows her to be involved and make changes within the deaf community. As an interpreter Patty explains, "I am one of those people that is helping make people access each other."

Patty helps facilitate communication that otherwise would not be there. "It is one of those vicarious things that through my job is part of it. People make connections and get to know and understand each other because I happen to be there. So that is my stealth community service."

Although Patty says a lot of her community involvement is by stealth and is just part of her job, she is also doing a lot more. Patty is a founding director of Story Blend. It is an immersion program that helps newly certified ASL interpreters build relationships and connections within the deaf community through deaf mentors. 

Patty's involvement within the deaf community has opened up many doors and brought awareness to people outside the deaf community as well. To read more about what Patty does and her involvement in the community go here. 

Think Globally, Act Locally

Supporting local businesses is something the Community Citizen Awareness Project is passionate about. Buying local not only promotes a strong economy, but it also builds a sense of community which is equally important. It keeps jobs from being outsourced and our friends and family employed.

Steve Tietz, a Metropolitan State University alumni, shares the same passion for supporting local businesses. Steve plays his part by volunteering for Flat Earth Brewing Company in St. Paul. "Helping a local business succeed while enjoying beer- I don't think volunteering gets much better than that," says Steve with a smile about his time at Flat Earth. 

Steve helps bottle and cap the beer, which is all done by hand. He also assists with brewery tours and public tasting events. Steve explains, "It's really important to me to see local businesses succeed and keep dollars in the community and not go to larger corporations that are somewhere else. If I can help keep their costs down by volunteering and have fun while I'm doing it, it is the least I can do." 

Learn more about Flat Earth Brewing Company by visiting their website. Also, to do your part in the initiative to buy local visit Buy Local Twin Cities for ideas on where you should shop.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day to everyone!

We hope you are as thankful as we are for being able to live on this wonderful planet! We also hope you are actively involved in making sure generations to come are able to enjoy it as much as we do!

There are many things we can do as individuals to help save our planet. Below is a short list we came up with, but we also want to know what you are doing as well! Comment and share your ideas!

Recycle- Check out Whole Living's Recycling Handbook. Also check out what Eureka Recycling is doing to help make it more convenient! 
Use reusable grocery bags as often as possible.
Stop buying bottled water- Some of our favorite reusable water bottles are: LifeFactory and Sigg.
Get rid of junk mail- Respond to unwanted catalogs and make sure you get off their mailing list! 
Purchase energy efficient appliances- I think they cost more up front, but the energy and cost savings over the life of the appliances will be well worth it. Also, use cold water whenever possible to wash clothes instead of warm or hot water.
Use rechargeable batteries.
Use energy efficient light bulbs- Click here for a complete light bulb guide.
Bike or walk when possible.
Organize a neighborhood clean up or adopt a highway. 
Switch to Earth friendly cleaning products. Some of our favorites are Seventh Generation and Ecos.

Keep it beautiful! Do your part!

Leave The World Better Than You Found It

We have often heard people say they'd like to be involved but they don't know what to do or where to even start. We have also heard people claim that most individuals cannot make change happen. We believe that anyone, no matter their gender, social status, race or sexual orientation can lead the way to make this world a better place.


We understand that in the world we live in today that it is easy to be overwhelmed by the options and the possibilities. There are so many wonderful things around us, but unfortunately, there are many tragic things around us as well. We aren't all on this earth to make history. However, there are little things that can make a big impact in someone's life or community, that we could all take part in. 


Here are some ideas on how you can get involved with you community and be an active citizen. 


“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

American Privilege

When you are born in America you are born into a life that presents certain freedoms and privileges. You often hear about people wanting to experience the American Dream. It is a dream that you can be anything you want to be as long as you are willing to work for it.  

You will be able to make enough money to support your family. Your family will be safe. Your family will be able to get an education. Your family will prosper.

It would be silly to deny the fact that Americans can typically lead a good life. However, there are some who might say it is a lot harder in today's economy. Although the unemployment rate is frightening, families are struggling to keep their homes, and college tuition prices continue to rise at a dramatic rate; Americans have an opportunity to continue the American Dream instead of lose sight of it.

Helping your neighbor and strengthening your community is a long time American tradition. While some seem to be losing everything, others are fortunate to be able to hold on. As a resident of your neighborhood, community and as a citizen of the United States we need to step up and help hold on to the American Dream.

This audio clip was cut from "The High Cost of American Privilege" on The Take Away. The Community Citizen Awareness Project does not own the audio. The video was shot by a founding member of the Community Citizen Awareness Project and features areas of Chicago and Minneapolis.

Like the CCAP Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. We invite you to share your story about how you are an active citizen in your community, and what you are doing to help your neighbors. 

End the Trend

The concern regarding the obesity epidemic in America is growing. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention over 35 percent of American adults are obese, and a startling 17 percent of adolescents are. Some people may choose to look the other way while others feel inclined to do something.

Christy is one of the concerned citizens who has committed herself to help others battling nutrition and weight issues. “My passion is to help others get fit and healthy,” Christy says. She is determined to have a voice within her community and to help as many people as possible.

“As an active, healthy woman I feel it is my duty and responsibility to help the people around me achieve their goals and live a happy and healthy life.” Christy explains. She isn’t just trying to help people lose a quick 5 pounds; instead she is hoping to inspire a lifestyle change- one that will stick with them forever.

Christy offers free online advice and inspiration on her Facebook page, CJ Loves Fitness. She also shares healthy recipes and fitness tips to fuel and strengthen the whole body. She offers similar advice on Twitter as well. She is able to fund her passion by working as an Independent Beachbody Coach.

The Rights and Responsibilities of Being a Citizen

Watch Sadie from Soulside Out and tell us what you think about the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen. Visit us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CCAPMN.

cit·i·zen·ship

cit·i·zen·ship

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary definition of citizenship provides two meanings:

1. The status of being a citizen.
2. a) Membership in a community.
   b) The quality of an individual's response to membership in a community. 

It's the second meaning that we are focusing on and hope to encourage more people to think about.  It's easy to go through life by taking care of our own day-to-day activities without having to worry about anything else.  But is that right? 

Asking this makes me think of the following questions:

• Should we help? 
• How do we help?  
• What help do we give? 

This is where most people think it gets tricky as most people don't think they have the time, energy or resources to help.  But as we develop this project, we are going to show that that isn't the case.  In fact, what you can do doesn't take much in extra time or energy and instead can be thought of as developing new habits. 

So onward and upward.  What are some of the things you do that makes things in your community a little better?

What does it mean to be a citizen?

What does it mean to be a citizen? Most of us are citizens of the United States of America. Others might be citizens of a different country. None-the-less we all have legal citizenship somewhere. However, is having legal papers all it really takes to be a citizen?

When most people think of citizenship they think of their rights. In America, many people will think of the Bill of Rights. It includes freedom of speech, the right to vote, the right to bear arms, and many other rights we get for being citizens of the U.S. Having all of these rights are great, but there is more to being a citizen that people aren't thinking of. There are duties that come along with citizenship too.

We have duties outlined by our country: jury duty, military participation (not a required duty in the U.S.), and the duty to pay taxes. But as citizens we also have the responsibility of giving back. We have the responsibility to work in our communities to make our country a better place to live.

The Community Citizen Awareness Project focuses on the responsibilities of being a citizen. The CCAP is bringing people together who understand their responsibility and are active members within their own communities. We invite you to join our project and talk about your experiences. You can share your story by finding us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Citizenship may seem like a right, but members of this project understand that it is also a privilege.