Kathy and her three children moved from Texas to Minnesota in 2016 to live with her boyfriend, Rick. It wasn’t long after they moved in with him that Rick became abusive. Kathy contacted Lewis House for help. Advocates helped her safely leave home and enter the shelter. They worked with her on safety planning and employment. [...]
By Jeff Mortensen President & CEO The community landscape is ever-changing. Populations shift, new needs develop, and resources expand and contract. For more than 45 years, 360 Communities staff members have worked hard to understand clients holistically and provide customized support. Our mission reads: In the spirit of caring for our neighbors, 360 Communities provides hope [...]
By Jeff Mortensen President & CEO I mentor a group of eighth-grade boys with a friend of mine, and for this year’s community service project, the group volunteered at 360 Communities Armful of Love. Volunteering and participating in community service is a healthy developmental aspect for people and an important part of growing vibrant communities. The [...]
By Jeff Mortensen President & CEO Brittany arrived at her new high school as a transfer student with no connections and a history of challenges. She had been enrolled in four different schools within the last three years. Brittany was all too familiar with judgment, as her records of poor attendance and numerous suspensions always seemed [...]
by Jennifer Krekelberg Supervisor, Dakota Healthy Families Their pregnancy was unexpected. Maria and Alex were not sure they would still be together if not for the birth of their baby girl, but they were willing to try. Both worried they might not be good parents to Emma, so when offered services through 360 Communities Dakota Healthy [...]
By Jeff Mortensen President & CEO Imagine not knowing how you’re going to provide the evening meal for your children when they arrive home from school. Imagine arriving home 15 minutes late and looking at yourself in the car’s rearview mirror before you enter your home…recalling the facial bruises your spouse brutally inflicted on you the [...]
by Anika Rychner Director of Self-Sufficiency Think of the last thing you ate. Are you still full? Or is your stomach rumbling? Are you worried about where your next meal will come from? Or will it be easy and stress-free for you to find a nutritious meal? Unfortunately for many Minnesotans, especially children, having enough food [...]
by Anika Rychner Director of Self-Sufficiency A four-year-old girl jumped into the arms of 360 Communities’ Sophia Bond and squeezed her tight after she gave her a new winter coat. When the little girl arrived at Armful of Love with her mother in the minus 10-degree weather to pick up their gifts, Sophia quickly noticed that [...]
by Jeff Mortensen President & CEO Do you have eyes that see the courage and struggle in the people around you? We each hold a unique perspective and are more likely to see those things that “fit” our own world view. With life’s many distractions and our personal mindsets, it takes being open with intentionality to [...]
By Sal Mondelli CEO Emeritus After a very rewarding four plus years as CEO, I have handed the reins over to Jeff Mortensen effective October 1, the start of the new fiscal year, as part of an orderly transition plan which was set in motion over 18 months ago. If five years ago you would have [...]
