360 Communities delivers safety and stability that improves lives.
Our staff and volunteers provides hope and support to more than 16,000 individuals each year with 9 programs in over 40 locations, including a network of five food shelves, two domestic violence shelters, two resource centers, and two programs that support school success from birth through high school graduation. About 1,200 volunteers donate their time, energy and talent in support of 360 Communities annually.
We employ data-driven research to identify trends, strengths and vulnerabilities, and then work with key community partners to build and implement action plans. At the same time, we offer an interconnected web of opportunities that develop individual and community strength. Doing this work in partnership with caring residents creates ongoing change for the better, which leads to a brighter future for everyone.
Help In The Moment. Hope For The Future.
360 Communities was founded more than 50 years ago by a group of volunteers who saw great potential in pooling their resources to address the needs of a growing community. They began with a telephone hotline and identified unmet community needs for food, clothing and other resources. They soon formed what later became the Armful of Love holiday gift and clothing program. Over the years, the organization added programs to prevent sexual and domestic violence, ensure school success and promote long-term stability.
The 360 Communities name reflects our circle of programs and resources that surround people in need and promote long-term safety and stability. The organization has evolved to become the premier resource and catalyst in building stable and thriving families and individuals in Dakota County. We do this by building meaningful relationships with clients in order to best address their unique barriers to success.
A common thread woven throughout our history is a recognition that we cannot do this work alone. We continue to collaborate with community partners to meet common end goals, making greater impacts in the community by working together in new and innovative ways.
Today, 360 Communities has two sexual and domestic violence shelters, two family resource centers, a network of five food shelves, and two programs that support school success from birth through high school graduation. No matter how a person reaches out to 360 Communities for help, they have access to a full circle of support from all of our programs and resources.
We employ this holistic approach to:
- Build relationships with people, work to stabilize any crisis they might have, and walk with them as they forge their path to stability.
- Intervene early and often with children to ensure they grow up in safe, healthy and nurturing homes so they can have the best opportunity to success.
360 Communities continues to evolve. We are tracking outcomes, anticipating demographic shifts, and planning to meet new pockets of need. And as it was more than 40 years ago, dedicated volunteers continue to change lives and strengthen communities to a new degree with tens of thousands of hours of service in support of this organization each year.