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 [...]
by Sal Mondelli Chief Executive Officer Asking for assistance is not easy for anyone. When people come to 360 Communities for help, they have usually run out of options. Maybe they are unemployed; perhaps their jobs don’t pay enough to cover unanticipated expenses. They could have a medical crisis, a disability, or their retirement savings could [...]
by Sal Mondelli Chief Executive Officer Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” When a person makes a positive impact in the life of another, it produces a lasting legacy. Being a positive force in another person’s life can make [...]
Jules was subjected to sexual assault multiple times by her boss and was revictimized by a company that was not equipped to address her complaints appropriately. She eventually left the company because of the trauma and subsequent health problems she experienced. This past spring, Jules attended 360 Communities’ Sexual Assault Services advocacy training, seeking a way [...]
By Karla Bauer Burnsville Family Resource Center Coordinator Twelve-year-old Miya had one wish this holiday season: to have her own guitar. Miya’s parents were not in a financial position where they could afford the luxury of buying holiday presents for their two children, let alone an expensive gift like a guitar. They signed up for 360 [...]
By Sal Mondelli President & CEO Recently, the Minnesota Gophers Men’s Basketball Team visited 360 Communities to help out at our Burnsville food shelf and then traveled over to our Lewis House sexual and domestic violence shelter in Eagan. This is the team’s second visit to 360 Communities and shows just how committed these young men [...]
On a recent trip to a Hudson, Wisconsin art gallery, Lisa Anderson purchased a piece of floral felt art created by Fiber Artist Robbin Firth. She bought it for its “joyful appearance and appeal” and when she got home she thought of a special place where it could possibly help others: 360 Communities Lewis House. She donated [...]
By Dawn Will 360 Communities Volunteer Most Thursdays, 8-year-old Samantha (Sammy) and 6-year-old Carson Gierke usually end up bickering about whose turn it was to bring their homemade treats to the front desk at 360 Communities Lewis House in Hastings. “You know how that goes,” said mom Sonya. Last week’s visit was different. Not only did [...]
