Kaleidoscope Place Staff • Kaleidoscope Place Board • Contact Info and Directions
Kaleidoscope was founded in 1971 by Messiah Lutheran Church and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. The churches wanted to provide a safe place for children to go during the summer months. The churches made a conscious decision to not provide religious programming in order to be inclusive to all children in the Phillips Neighborhood.
In 1994, Kids’ Place, our after school program, began to provide homework help, basic skill instruction, and recreational activities after school. The program began with the purpose of helping children perform at grade level in school.
Kaleidoscope strives to not only be a resource to those in the Phillips Neighborhood, but to be an active part of the community. To help meet the needs of those in our community, all of the programming at Kaleidoscope is free to participants. Currently Kaleidoscope offers six programs: Kids’ Place, Youth Village, Summer Kids, Children’s Garden, Youth Staff, and Families Together.
Quendy Raymond
Executive Director
I joined Kaleidoscope in September of 2006. I spent six years working with homeless children and parents. For four years I worked directly with homeless children as an intermediary between their schools and their parents, and then spent two years working as a program manager. I received my Bachelors degree from Macalester College in St. Paul. Working at Kaleidoscope gives me the opportunity to expand my passion to work with kids by helping to create sustainable and enriching programs for the children and families of the Phillips neighborhood.
Maria Cooper
Program Director, Kids’ Place, Summer Kids, and Families Together
I was born and raised in the Twin Cities area and attended college at the University of Minnesota. I received my bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Studio Arts in 1999. Shortly after, I moved to Portland, Oregon and worked as a graphic designer, an art gallery associate, and a camp counselor. In 2001 I attended graduate school at Portland State University and received my Masters of Education in Visual Arts in 2003. I decided to move back to Minnesota and start my career as a visual arts teacher and substitute teacher in Minneapolis and Saint Paul public schools. In the spring of 2005, I became Kaleidoscope’s Program Director for Kids’ Place, Families Together and Summer Kids. The kids, the staff and the families make my day! The kids have taught me many valuable lessons such as: be creative, be resilient, laugh at your mistakes, and take time out to play.
Matt Christenson
Information Technology Officer, K-1 Teacher
I graduated from St. Olaf College in 1992 with a BA in Psychology and Religion. From that point I worked in the Information Technology field, but I knew I wouldn’t be there forever, as my heart to work with children and youth grew. I have been at Kaleidoscope since September of 2003. I started as the K-1 Teacher, and then took on some additional responsibilities as a Program Director for our Youth Village middle school program, and currently as the Information Technology Officer. I love Kaleidoscope because the kids are incredible and it is a healthy place for them with staff that really cares!
Katie Knopff
Volunteer Coordinator
I grew up in St. Paul and attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. I graduated in the spring of 2006 with a Bachelor of Individualized Studies with concentrations in Asian American Studies, Race Relations, and Psychology, as well as a minor in Korean. I have been working at Kaleidoscope since August of 2006. I have my position at Kaleidoscope through the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, which places volunteers in various nonprofit organizations across the country. I actually volunteered at Kaleidoscope during college, and when I saw Kaleidoscope on the list of possible LVC placements, I knew I wanted to come back!
Karen Beamon
Youth Programs Coordinator
I’ve been involved with Kaleidoscope since 2000. I started during my first year in high school, and am currently entering my 5th year at the University of Minnesota and will graduate this fall. Through the years at Kaleidoscope I have been the Volunteer Coordinator, the 3rd-5th grade teacher, and more recently, the Youth Programs Coordinator. Kaleidoscope and the University have pretty much dominated my work history in areas such as childcare, garden maintenance, City Fresh produce, internships, and products. For me, Kaleidoscope is home away from home, and the children are wonderful. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else!
Teachers
Karen Beamon (see above)
Matt Christenson(see above)
Talaea Rosenbloom
I graduated from Edison High School where I was in the Cosmetology Program. I’ve been working at Kaleidoscope since June of 2005. I also worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at Kaleidoscope in 1998. I currently teach the Kaleidoscope 5th and 6th grade class. I enjoy working for Kaleidoscope because I love being around kids. Kaleidoscope is a nice place to work and the staff is awesome! I can always come to work and get a laugh!!
Ashley Williams
I attended high school at Maranatha Christian Academy and college at MCTC. I worked at a charter school in north Minneapolis as a paraprofessional and then at the Minneapolis Urban League as an Administrative Assistant. I have been at Kaleidoscope since October of 2006 and I work here because I love the kids and want to be a part of such a great organization.
Teachers Assistants
Fardowsa Aden
Joey Duren
Sabrina Hart
Miriam Pederson
Ericka Robinson
Laura Weghorst, Chair • Linda Olson, Co-Chair
Karen Ploetz, Secretary • Jocelyn Palmer, Treasurer
Leslie Bell Pashalek • Roxanne Cunningham
Tom Gustafson • Donley Johnson
Dorothy Tate
Kaleidoscope Place
2504 Columbus Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: (612) 871-9268
Fax: (612) 871-0173
Here is a map to show you where Kaleidoscope is located.
From the South:
Take 35W North to the 31st St/Lake St exit. Go straight 1 block to Lake St.
Turn right (east) on Lake St.
Turn left (north) on Park Ave S.
Turn right east) on 25th St. Go 1 block.
Kaleidoscope is located on the corner of 25th St and Columbus Ave S.
From the North:
NOTE: Due to the 35W bridge construction, you must take an alternative route.
Take 35W South (assuming you are North of 94) to 280 South.
Take 280 South to 94 West.
Take 94 West to the Cedar Ave exit.
Turn left (south) on Cedar Ave.
Turn right (west) on Franklin Ave.
Turn left (south) on Chicago Ave.
Turn right (west) on 25th St. Go 1 block.
Kaleidoscope is located on the corner of 25th St and Columbus Ave S.
From the West:
Take 394 East to the Lyndale Ave exit.
Turn right (south) on Lyndale Ave and follow the signs to stay on Lyndale Ave. You will want to be in the left lane when Lyndale goes under the bridge.
Turn left (east) on Franklin Ave. Go straight until you drive over 35W.
Turn right (south) on Portland Ave S.
Turn left (east) on 25th St. Go 3 blocks.
Kaleidoscope is located on the corner of 25th St and Columbus Ave S.
From the East:
Take 94 West to the Cedar Ave exit.
Turn left (south) on Cedar Ave.
Turn right (west) on Franklin Ave.
Turn left (south) on Chicago Ave.
Turn right (west) on 25th St. Go 1 block.
Kaleidoscope is located on the corner of 25th St and Columbus Ave S.