Partner Agency Directory

Adult Day Services
Adult Day Services promotes healthy aging with the focus to improve and enhance overall wellness.  Through a system of supportive services in one location the program cost effectively assists people experiencing isolation due to physical and psychosocial demands, to maintain and/or increase independence, and remain an active part of family and community. Life quality is enhanced when experienced with others.      

620 Carr Lake Road SE
Bemidji, MN  56601
751-1324
Director: April Collman
adultday@gmail.com

American Red Cross - Northland Chapter
Disaster relief, international services, educational program that promote health and safety such as CPR training and support for military members and their families.

1900 Division Street, Unit 1
Bemidji, MN  56601
218-444-9480
Angie Kovarik
Community Resource and Development Manager
akovarik@northstarredcross.org

ARC United

Information, support and advocacy for children and adults with disabilities and their families in northwest Minnesota.

1819 Bemidji Avenue
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-759-0097
Contacts: Cassandra Robinson
arcnw@paulbunyan.net
www.archeadwaters.org

Bemidji Area Early Childhood Initiative (ECI)
The Bemidji Area Early Childhood Initiative is a coalition of area citizens committed to improving outcomes for all young children (0-5 yrs.) in our area. We know that when children receive the nurturing, learning and care they need to grow up healthy, our whole community benefits. We also help the people who care for them – parents, family members and child care providers – do the best possible job of supporting the healthy development of the young children in their care. Our priorities include sponsoring community family events such as the Tiny Tots Expo, providing quality learning opportunities for child care providers, ensuring a smooth transition to kindergarten through partnerships among professionals, and advocating for early childhood issues. We are sponsored by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and our co-coordinators are Ginny Kurtzweg and Vicki Wangberg. We meet monthly to plan projects and discuss issues, Join us! Call 759-2057 for information.  

Northwest Minnesota Foundation
4226 Technology Drive NW
Bemidji, MN  56601
218-759-2057
Contact:  Lin Backstrom, Early Childhood Specialist
linb@nwmf.org
www.nwmf.org

Bemidji Community Soup Kitchen

Provides free meals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays each week to those in need with no questions asked.

PO Box 1584
Bemidji, MN 56619
751-2810
Contact: Gloria Joy
gjoy@paulbunyan.net

Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.  BGGCBA desires to see Club youth have positive self-identities, be educationally, occupationally, socially, emotionally, and culturally competent, be involved in their community, be physically healthy, and have a moral compass.   B&GCBA programs are designed to support the accomplishment of these goals.  Programs and activities are offered in the areas of Character and Leadership, Education and Career, Health and Life Skills, the Arts, and Sports, Fitness and Recreation.

A new Teen Center for high school teens will be opening in the fall of 2009.  The Teen Center will be in the existing Club but in a separate area and designated space for high school teens only.  It will have a lounge, computer/tutoring lab, media room and snack area.

1600 Minnesota Ave
PO Box 191
Bemidji, MN  56619
218-444-4171
Executive Director: Leonore Potter
lpotter@paulbunyan.net
http://www.bgcbemidji.com

Churches United

A collaborative of Bemidji area churches organized to serve and meet the needs of homeless, persistently poor, and impoverished individuals and families, by providing financial assistance and referrals in an empowering manner while also seeking the cause of poverty with the goal of reaching a solution to the immediate concerns.

702 Beltrami Ave. NW
Bemidji, MN 56619-0607
218-444-1380
Executive Director: Sarah Einerson
Email: cunited@paulbunyan.net
Website: www.Bemidjicu.org

Civil Air Patrol- Northland Squadron
Three mandated components:  Cadet Programs, Emergency Services and Aerospace Education.  Civil Air Patrol is a leadership laboratory for young people to learn self esteem and confidence while becoming leaders.  The squadron has the additional goal of being a strong community partner through educating the youth about community service, serving other agencies in need of manpower support and providing hands on assistance at large community events.

4130 Hangar Drive NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 224-3556 (home)
(218) 556-2009 (cell)
email: rhelgager@gmail.com
Squadron website:  www.mncap.org/Northland
Contact: Robin Helgager

Community Resource Connections
Community Resource Connections (CRC) is a nonprofit membership organization serving Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater and Hubbard Counties. All agency work is intended to serve the needs of nonprofit member organizations and the clients they serve.  Direct services to the public include: Management of Resource Centers in Bemidji, Blackduck and Kelliher; provision of an unusually inclusive form of Information, Referral and Advocacy; Senior Outreach concerning Medicare Part D, Social Security Disability Application assistance, and Minnesota Health Care application assistance.  Member agency services include coordination of agency and nonprofit director networking groups, group fund raising, coordination of service ventures, nonprofit advocacy, and community resource distribution to nonprofits.

616 America Avenue Suite 170
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-333-8265
Contact: Ruth Sherman
rsherman@crcinform.org
www.communityresourceconnections.org

Evergreen House Inc.
Evergreen House is a grassroots, community-based organization committed to strengthening youth and preserving families with an emphasis on those living in northern Minnesota.  Evergreen has advanced its mission by developing a comprehensive safety net of services to runaway, homeless, street youth, pregnant and parenting youth, youth with alcohol and drug problems, and other high-risk youth and their families.  We currently provide a continuum of services to 2,500 high-risk children, teens, and families annually.  Thousands more are served through outreach, referrals, and presentations, and personal contacts.

Evergreen Youth Crisis Shelter
Evergreen Youth Crisis Shelter – All services are free to youth and families.  Open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for youth ages 9-17 who are homeless, runaways, or experiencing personal or family crisis.  Family counseling provides support to families in crisis, offering parenting support and training in skills that are necessary for families to work through their immediate difficulties and to establish healthy patterns of conflict resolution that will help prevent future crises.  Tribal Family Support Services are available on-site on the Red Lake and Leech Lake Reservations to support youth and parents through coaching and education and case management to access mental, chemical, dental and physical health services.  The Suicide Prevention Program trains 9^th graders in all county schools, including Red Lake, in suicide prevention training.  There is  a monthly survivor support group for adult family members/friends and the Headwaters Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a community-based taskforce, provides planning and information on suicide prevention monthly.

Youth Crisis Shelter Program Coordinator: Gary Russell, 218-751-4332

Evergreen House Inc. Executive Director: Becky Schueller, 218-751-8223; rschueller@evergreenhouse.org

Evergreen House Inc. (main office)
1418 Bemidji Ave N Ste 1
PO Box 662
Bemidji, MN  56619
www.evergreenhouse.org

Family Advocacy Center of Northern Minnesota
The Family Advocacy Center of Northern Minnesota (FACNM) is a medical-model family advocacy center serving the needs of child sexual and physical abuse, adult sexual assault and intimate partner and family violence. The FACNM provides compassionate, appropriate, and timely health services, forensic evaluations, referrals, and case management. The FACNM promotes a collaborative, multidisciplinary, regional response to abuse.

800 Anne Street
Bemidji, MN  56601
Executive Director: Aria Trudeau, 218-333-6156; aria@facnm.net

Foster Grandparents/Senior Companions

Senior Companion Program partners volunteers 55 or better in age with lonely, isolated adults who wish to remain independent and living in their own homes.  The “Companions” provide friendly visits, transportation, and advocacy. The Foster Grandparent Program provides volunteers mentoring opportunities in all kinds of educational and shelter settings. Foster Grandparents work with youth of all ages.  Volunteers in both programs receive a small tax free stipend and mileage reimbursement. 

PO Box 1518
Walker, MN  56484
800-563-8150
Director: Mar Kuha; mar.kuha@lssmn.org
www.seniorcorps.org

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines

Promotes and provides educational programming for girls and young women ages 5-17 to help them build character and life skills to be successful adults.

750 Paul Bunyan Dr NW
Bemidji, M N 56601
Local Contact: Becky Dean, 218-751-4886; BDean@girlscoutslolc.org
Development Project Manager: Lisa Lukkala, 218-726-4755; www.girlscoutslolc.org

Headwaters Science Center
The Headwaters Science Center provides intellectual stimulation and enjoyment for all children and adults with scientific and technological interactive displays, exhibits, programs and activities which enhance and supplement educational programs.

Contact: Laddie Elwell, 218-444-4472; ljewell@paulbunyan.net
413 Beltrami Avenue, PO Box 1176, Bemidji, MN 56601
www.hscbemidji.org
 

Hope House
Hope House provides community support services to individuals with serious and persistent  mental illness so they can live in the community in the least restrictive setting, function at their best level, and reduce the need for involuntary hospitalization. Hope House provides adult rehabilitation mental health services (ARMHS) in the home and community. Hope House also provides community support services(CSP) such as phone support, consumer outreach, social and recreational activities, after hours emergency help, community/public education, medication and wellness checks, REACH family support group, diagnostic assessments, and consumer employment .  Hope House also provides day treatment and a drop-in center for members.

2014 7th St SE, PO Box 1097, Bemidji, MN  56619

Director: Robin Wold; 218-444-6748; rwold@paulbunyan.net
 

Kinship North
Kinship North is a formal one-on-one mentoring program that focuses on matching at-risk youth, ages 5 to 15, with caring adult volunteer mentors.  Kinship mentors are trained to involved their Kinship Kids in everyday activities that will model positive attitudes and behaviors, as well as provide opportunities in which their Kinship Kids can be successful and have fun. 

Contact: Jenn Anderson, Director
218-751-8223
janderson@evergreenhouse.org
Kinship North (Evergreen House Inc.)
1418 Bemidji Ave N Ste 1
PO Box 662
Bemidji, MN  56619
www.evergreenhouse.org

Lutheran Social Service - Personal Support Services and Guardianship Program

Lutheran Social Service Personal Support Services for people with disabilities provides residential and in-home support services for individuals with disabilities.  The Personal Support Services helps people stay connected to their community through employment, volunteerism, and social and family connections.  LSS encourages a person’s sense of independence while also keeping the services specialized and sensitive to each person’s unique needs. 
Guardians are appointed by court to manage the affairs of incapacitated adults, advocate in their best interest, and ensure their safety and well being.  The responsibilities of guardianship are to establish place of residence, consent for necessary medical or professional care, approve or withhold approval of contracts, determine and provide for basic care needs, and manage personal belongings. 

403 NW 4th St, Suite 120
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-751-1305
Director: Barbara Stensland
bstensla@lssmn.org

 North Country Food Bank

North Country Food Bank was established in 1983, and is the sole distributor of surplus food products to over 155 charitable food programs, including soup kitchens, food shelves and homeless shelters.  Other recipients include low-income individuals in need of supplemental assistance, group homes, senior programs, youth programs, addiction treatment centers and domestic abuse prevention programs.  As a non-profit food bank, our primary role is to provide food to the front-line charitable agencies that feed the hungry.  North Country distributes over 2.1 million pounds of food in our 21 county service area annually.

424 North Broadway
Crookston, MN  56716
218-281-7356
Director: Susie Novak
susie@northcountryfoodbank.org
www.northcountryfoodbank.org

Sanford Bemidji Home Care and Hospice

Our focus at Sanford Bemidji Home Care and Hospice is to provide service that offer comfort, peace, and dignity for our patients with incurable illness, and for their families.  To this end, we have a team of compassionate professionals who make home visits to assist you in the care of your loved one.  Do not let concern about finances keep you from this vital support!  Payment for hospice services is 100% covered by Medicare and frequently covered by private insurance.  With generous donations from the community and United Way, we are also able to provide services to those who are not eligible for insurance.  No one will be denied care because of an inability to pay.  In hospice, we provide assistance to the patient and to the family members.  Families who come to Sanford Bemidji Home Care and Hospice for help receive services customized to their needs.  These services can include:  Home visits several time a week by a registered nurse, social worker, chaplain and/or home care aide care; management of pain and other difficult symptoms, help with bathing and grooming, 24-hour assistance and advice, emotional and spiritual support, patient and caregiver education, coordination of multiple service, help for family caregivers, bereavement support, and volunteer support.

3525 Pine Ridge Ave NW
Bemidji, MN  56601
218-333-5665
Director: Jesica Conrad
jesica.conrad@sanfordhealth.org

Northern Dental Access Center
Provides dental care and other family service referrals to low income families enrolled in Medical Assistance or Minnesota Care in the Bemidji and surrounding areas.  We provide dental exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, and dentures on site; and provide referrals for specialty care needs to a variety of providers throughout the state.  With Beltrami County Health and Human Services on site, child and teen exams, immunizations and other family service referrals are available. 

Physical location: 1405 Anne Street NW, Bemidji, MN  56601

Mailing address: PO Box 279, Bemidji, MN  56619

Executive Director:  Jeanne Edevold Larson, 218-444-9646; Jeanne.Larson@northerndentalaccess.org
www.northerndentalaccess.org

Northwoods Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical, grass-roots Christian ministry with the goal of eliminating poverty housing worldwide.  Unwilling to accept the fact that millions of people live without adequate shelter, Habitat challenges individuals, churches, companies, foundations and other organizations to join in partnership with people in need to change the conditions in which they live.  Northwoods Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent, affordable homes and sells them with no interest mortgages to low income families who partner with Habitat and are committed to improving their lives

Northwoods Habitat for Humanity
1357 Industrial Park Dr SW
P.O. Box 1067
Bemidji, MN  56619
Executive Director: Geri Hickerson; habitat@paulbunyan.net
www.habitatbemidji.org


Northwoods Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (NICE)
Northwoods Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (NICE) is a volunteer-based organization that provides services for seniors and other special needs individuals and families.  Through many dedicated volunteers, NICE provides transportation to medical appointments, shopping assistance, friendly visiting, and respite care for seniors and children.  With the help of United Way and so many important caregivers, Northwoods Interfaith enables independent living and ensures to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities or special needs.  In addition. Northwoods Interfaith’s First City Visitation Services program offers a positive, safe, child friendly and neutral site where children and parents can be assured that supervised visitation or exchange will be safe and conflict free.

                                       

616 America Ave, Ste. 170, Bemidji, MN 56601                                                 

Director: Cindi Lee Jernigan, 218-333-8264 or 888-534-4432

Program Assistant: Melissa Thomas, 218-333-8266               

E-mail: nice@paulbunyan.net

www.northwoodsnice.org

 

Occupational Development Center
A Social Enterprise providing jobs for individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers across northern Minnesota.  ODC provides nationally accredited programs for those experiencing employment challenges.  Through these programs, the ODC provides assistance in obtaining various jobs.

1219 Naylor Drive SE
Bemidji, MN  56601
218-751-6001
Director: Marcy LaCroix
mlacroix@odcmn.com
www.odcmn.com
 

Ours to Serve House of Hospitality
Provides temporary emergency shelter for families with dependent children and single pregnant women experiencing homelessness.  Services include a private family room, three nutritionally balanced meals each day, and supportive services that assist guests in achieving and maintaining housing stability.

416 Irvine Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
751-0722
Director: Rebecca Hoffman
otss@paulbunyan.net

Paul Bunyan Senior Activity Center
The Paul Bunyan Senior Activity Center ensures that seniors who need assistance, information and referral are assisted.  The Center’s programming teaches seniors to advocate for themselves, provide opportunities for continuing education of interest to seniors, social interaction to decrease isolation, and volunteer opportunities to maintain vitality and a sense of meaning in their lives.  The Center houses the Senior Creations Craft Shop, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation, AARP Driver Safety Program, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and America Reads Program, all of which give seniors volunteer opportunities as well as much needed services.  The Center also houses the LSS Nutrition Project, serving five nutritious meals each week, and the Meals On Wheels Program that reaches out to seniors unable to come to the Center.   There is no age limit for becoming a member or to participate.  A person does not have to be a member to enjoy our services but membership does have benefits.

216 3rd Street NW
Bemidji, M  56601
218-751-8836
Contact: Diane Engel; bccoa@paulbunyan.net
www.paulbunyan.net/users/bccoa
 

Paul Bunyan Amateur Radio Club

The Paul Bunyan Amateur Radio Club has been providing severe weather reporting (Skywarn), emergency communications support, and community service to Beltrami County for over 30 years.  Whenever severe weather threatens, club members are paged by the National Weather Service or the Beltrami County Emergency Operations Center.  Members immediately go to preplanned locations throughout the county where we communicate via radio directly with the National Weather Service radar operators in Grand Forks to provide advance warning of weather conditions that may threaten the citizens of the county.  The club also maintains and operates the Beltrami County Emergency Communications Trailer which is deployed as a mobile command and communications center for law enforcement, fire, ambulance, and other emergency and public service responders.

United Way has provided essential funding for the purchase and maintenance of the equipment required to operate the Skywarn system and the emergency communications/mobile command trailer.  Although the individual club members donate their time and the use of their own personal ham radio equipment for these public service activities, the support of United Way is vital to meet the high cost of the special equipment needed for the radio link to the National Weather Service and the emergency communications equipment used in the mobile command post. 

4545 Cartway Road NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
888-843-5126
Contact: Jon Crisman; jcrisman@paulbunyan.net
http://www.qsl.net/bemidji/

 

Peacemaker Resources

Primary prevention programs and activities that promote conflict management and other cooperative life skills to assist children, adults and families to lead responsible, violence free lives and see themselves as valuable, contributing members of our community.

PO Box 862
Bemidji, MN  56619
218-444-8048
Contact: Barb Houg; peaceripple@hotmail.com
http://www.peacemakerresources.org/
 

Restore House
Restore House is a faith based transitional housing program for individuals in recovery from drugs and alcohol. We provide a family style structured program which includes housing, meals, goal setting, job or continued education coaching, financial planning, continued recovery educational programs, relationship restoration counseling, and spiritual development.  Our goal is to assist individual coming out of jail or treatments programs to reenter into the community and become productive members of society as they maintain their sobriety - teaching them life skills that will enable them to live healthy fulfilling lives. 

1001 Mississippi Ave
Bemidji, MN  56601

PO Box 1191
Bemidji, MN  56619
218-444-9420
Contact:  Tim Pomp, restor@paulbunyan.net
www.restorehousemn.org

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
and America Reads
Horizon Health RSVP, which is a national program with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), encourages seniors to continue an active lifestyle by providing meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunities within their communities.  This gives seniors the chance to provide a valuable “service” that enhances not only their own quality of life, but the quality of life for others in their communities. RSVP is getting things done by involving volunteers in community organizations and programs that need the assistance of skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated people to develop our communities into better places to live.

c/o Horizon Health
PO Box 220
Pierz, MN  56364
320-468-6451
Director: Tammy Jopp, tjopp@horizonhealthservices.com
 

America Reads
Ardis Lucken
216 3rd St.
Bemidji, MN  56601
751-8836
rsvpread@yahoo.com 

Rural Aids Action Network (RAAN)
The Rural AIDS Action Network (RAAN) assists persons living with, affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS in rural Minnesota. We do this through the following programs: medical case management; HIV counseling, testing and referral; health education/risk reduction; medical transportation reimbursement, support groups and education and training.

703 Paul Bunyan Dr NW, Ste 1
Bemidji, MN  56601
218-444-4561
Contact:  Cheryl Yarnott, Medical Case Manager, cheryl@raan.org
www.raan.org
 

Salvation Army

Offers emergency help with basic needs such as food and shelter.

2445 Prior Avenue
Roseville, MN  55113
Service Extension Director:
Joanne Johnson, 800-456-4483, Joanne.Johnson.lee@usc.slavationarmy.org
NMN Field Representative: Val Stevens, 218-326-4847
Local Contact: Carol Campbell, 218-444-8434, geno@paulbunyan.net
www.thesalarmy.org
 

Sexual Assault Program

Since 1977, the Sexual Assault Program of Beltrami, Cass & Hubbard Counties has been providing advocacy and supportive services to sexual violence survivors and their families.  Support and information are offered 24 hours a day via our Crisis Line. In addition, trained staff often accompany survivors during a medical/forensic exam and through the criminal justice process.  Services are confidential and free of charge to survivors of all forms of sexual violence. Sexual Assault Program staff also provide educational presentations and seminars on a variety of sexual violence issues, ranging from prevalence to prevention.

24 Crisis number: 444-9522
403 4th Street NW, Ste140
PO Box 1472
Bemidji, MN  56619
(218) 444-9524

Director: Cassondra Johnson Blackbird, sapbchc@paulbunyan.net
Volunteer Coordinator: Kim Zimmerman, sap_kimzim@hotmail.com
 

Timber Bay
For 36 years, Bemidji Area Timber Bay, a non-profit organization, has provided hundreds of at risk children and their families with strong Christian mentors who assist them in successfully reaching adulthood and beyond.  As a Christian referral agency, we work directly with others to provide assistance both during crisis and long term.  We own and operate Timber Bay Camp, “the camp that comes home with the kids”, year around.  We have a local Timber Bay House where children experience a “healthy home”, both during the day and after school.  Our goal is to have a caring adult in the life of every child who would benefit from another adult advocating, affirming, encouraging and supporting them.

234 Gerald Lane NW
PO Box 371
Bemidji, MN  56601
766-9997

Regional Director: Steve Hanson, hanson@timberbay.org
www.timberbay.org
 

Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center

Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center, Inc. is a private, non-profit community mental health center committed to providing high quality and comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to people needing to gain control in one or more areas of their lives.  A comprehensive set of services are provided for individuals and families with a range of behavioral health problems and conditions in order to ameliorate existing problems and prevent future problems that may impede the ability to live a full, active and productive life.  UMMHC serve primarily clients who do not have private insurance, are on public assistance, or have no resources.  United Way supports the Child and Adolescent Therapeutic Services program which provides case management and skills education to Beltrami County children diagnosed as emotionally disturbed or seriously emotionally disturbed.  The program also provides therapeutic intervention, family therapy and skills training to improve coping and social skills, as well as individual and couples work as needed and parenting education.  The primary goal is to prevent out-of-home placements 

722 15th Street
PO Box 640
Bemidji, MN 56619
218-751-3280
Director:  Lenore Barsness, Executive Director, lenore_barsness@ummhcmn.org
www.ummhcmn.org

Voyageur Area Boy Scout Council
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America, Voyageurs Area Council is to serve others by instilling values in young people and otherwise prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime and help them to achieve their full potential.   The values that we strive to instill are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.  We serve boys from ages 6-20 and girls ages 14-20 in our flagship program; Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing (co-ed). The Boy Scouts of America will be celebrating its 100^th anniversary in 2010.  Boy Scouts is the largest youth character education program in the world today.

Boy Scouts of America
3877 Stebner Road
Hermantown, MN  55811-1733
Regional Office: 218-729-5811
Local Scout Executive: Ben Mahlke, 218-760-1122