For any student, the start of their senior year of high school can be somewhat stressful. For Jordan, she found herself homeless in the middle of a pandemic. Fortunately, she had a friend whose family invited her to stay with them. But Jordan faced many adult decisions most students are not prepared to handle on [...]
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 [...]
Lydia separated from her husband at the beginning of the school year. Her landlord removed her husband from the lease, but rental payments were still linked to his bank account. When her husband stopped making payments, Lydia and her two children were at risk of eviction. So, staff at her two boys’ elementary school referred her [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
By Jeff Mortensen President & CEO Last school year, 55 Dakota County students graduated high school with support from 360 Communities’ Partners For Success program. When one of those students crossed the stage in June to receive his diploma, few in the audience understood the mountain of obstacles he overcame to reach that milestone. 360 Communities [...]
360 Communities has strategically built an infrastructure to collect and report meaningful progress and community impact through data. In addition to reporting output data such as pounds of food distributed, numbers served, and financial information, 360 Communities is now able to show how its holistic approach impacts an individuals movement toward their self-defined goals. The progress [...]
Child Care Aware staff supported 159 child care providers last year with training and support, helping in increase their Parent Aware Star Ratings. 360 Communities’ Child Care Aware staff train and support child care providers to earn their Parent Aware Star ratings. Child care providers can distinguish themselves by earning up to four stars. [...]
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 [...]
360 Communities Child Care Aware staff coach child care providers in Dakota County with research-based best practices for preparing children for school. This involves supporting providers as they work to earn Parent Aware Star Ratings. The Parent Aware Star Ratings program supports and improves upon the strengths of child care programs, and also helps parents identify [...]
