a message from President & CEO Jeff Mortensen 360 Communities started as a small group of social-minded individuals who turned belief into action. Their unifying desire to live out values for the good of others was contagious and engaged the broader community in contributing time and resources for over five decades. By building [...]
IN CRISIS, FINDING HELP Susan needed help. Her instincts told her that she and her young children were not safe in their home. “Because my abuser works in law enforcement - he knew how to hurt me without leaving marks,” Susan says, “He threw things at me, threatened to punch me, and left [...]
End victim-blaming a message from President & CEO Jeff Mortensen Every 73 seconds, a person is sexually assaulted in the United States, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). The majority of sexual assaults are never reported to police, and for those that are, only 5 out of every [...]
360 Communities President & CEO Jeff Mortensen October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month To say that the year 2020 has been a challenging one is a vast understatement. But with all of the adversity we are facing, it is clear that our communities still have an enormous capacity to look out for the [...]
Sarah fled an abusive home life for the Lewis House with little more than the clothes on her back. She was 19 and pregnant, scared to leave the only home she had ever known, and only two weeks away from delivering. Sarah needed shelter and support. 360 Communities Lewis House advocates welcomed her. In the [...]
This year's election goes beyond who will be president. Your vote is your voice on issues affecting housing, education, employment and healthcare. Help make a difference in your community and let’s vote on or before November 3rd! Have you registered to vote yet? Do you know how to track your absentee ballot? Information can be found in 11 languages [...]
by Jeff Mortensen President & CEO The pandemic has caused increased levels of uncertainty and anxiety across communities. Dakota County experienced a 3,000% increase in unemployment applications, with more than 37,000 people seeking help in just the last 30 days. Although COVID-19 presents an extraordinary crisis in recent history, families who struggle through hardships have [...]
Michele Costello’s daughter, Megan Hallquist, passed away last month at the age of 30 from acute liver failure due to complications from diabetes. Costello remembers Megan as “a feisty, funny, giving person, who never thought of herself before others.” Megan was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when she was an [...]
By Jeff Mortensen President & CEO Already this year, at least 14 Minnesotans have been murdered in domestic violence-related incidents. Victims include two sisters, a mother of three, the elderly, and a family member who intervened to stop his cousin’s assault. The devastating impacts cut across all socioeconomic lines. We need to change in our society. [...]
Lucy's situation In March, Lucy called the 360 Communities Lewis House hotline because of abuse taking place in her home. She arrived at the shelter, afraid about her future. Lucy had several barriers to overcome. She was unemployed, homeless, uninsured, and had significant health issues. In her first few weeks, she suffered from anxiety and [...]
