Community Resources

Hennepin County Resources

Hennepin County Minnesota website (cash assistance, food assistance, healthcare applications, childcare applications, etc.)

Eden Prairie Resources

Medical and Covid Info

NeedyMeds - Find help with the costs of medication

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Get FREE at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests!

COVID-19 Vaccines

Booster Shots

Vaccinations for Children

  • Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens and find where to get children vaccinated at mn.gov/vaxforkids.

  • Pond Clinic, 9600 3rd Ave S., Bloomington, is offering vaccines for 5-11 year old children

      • 2-6 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday. While appointments are preferred, walk-ins are welcome.

      • Parents should call 952-681-6277 to schedule an appointment.

Getting Vaccinated

COVID-19 Vaccine Connector will let you know when you’re eligible to receive a vaccine, connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment, and notify you if there are vaccine opportunities in your area.

FREE Covid Testing


Bloomington Saliva testing (new)

          • Located at 9930 Logan Avenue, Bloomington

          • Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

          • To schedule an appointment, visit blm.mn/testsite or call Vault Health at 1-800-800-5698. (Walk-ins accepted also.)

          • Tests results will be provided via email in 48-72 hours.


  • Find Testing Locations : Find options for community nasal swab and saliva testing, as well as clinic or hospital locations. You do not need to show identification. Tests are at no cost to you, and insurance is not required. While appointments are recommended, walk-ins are always welcome.

  • Community Testing - What to expect at the community testing sites.

  • Covid- 19 Test at Home (saliva kit)

NEW COVID-19 HOTLINE FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES IN MINNESOTA

  • Get access to accurate, timely information about Covid-19.

  • Refugees and immigrants can call 651-318-0989 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  • The hotline staff can speak Amharic, Anuak, Arabic, French, Hindi, Karen, Lingala, Luganda, Mashi, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili. Language line help is available for any other languages.

COVID-19 information in other languages

Hennepin County Child & Teen Check Ups website

  • Complete the Child and Teen Check Ups Program Referral Form

  • This is NOT a clinic. Our staff can assist families and/or young adults in 1) finding a clinic, 2) finding transportation or an interpreter, 3) setting up appointments and 4) providing community resources as needed.

Help with Heat and Electric Bills (shut off)

Energy Assistance (click here to learn more)

  • More Minnesotans qualify than ever before

  • Help for renters and homeowners

  • Up to $2,000 to pay your energy bills

  • One application covers both energy assistance and weatherization

Find your local service provider: Call 800-657-3710 - or visit mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp


HeatShare - Call 800-842-7279

  • Who does HeatShare help?

      1. Seniors with low income and no alternate source of help.

      2. People with disabilities who are limited in their ability to maintain income to adequately cover energy costs.

      3. People who have an unexpected crisis and as a result cannot pay for household energy bills.


To receive assistance through HeatShare, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must live in a participating utility's service area.

  • You must have received a disconnection notice.

  • You must have an income level at or below 50% of the state median income.

  • There must be an emergency that has caused the bill not to be paid.


Child Care and K-12 Education

Start by calling Hennepin County at 612-348-5937.

Based on your answers to a few questions, we will:

  • Mail a child care application packet, or

  • Add your name to a waiting list (if funds are not available), or

  • Tell you why you are not eligible at this time

If you receive an application, fill out and return the required forms and other documents. Send proof documenting things such as address, identity, income, work schedule and school schedule.

Applications are processed within 30 days. Your child care provider must be registered with Hennepin County. It takes 4–6 weeks to become registered.


Citizenship

Classes

Citizenship Class at Metro South!

Resources and Lessons

  • Citizenship Resource Center (includes info about the test and study materials)

      • USCIS reverts back to 2008 citizenship exam. Includes only 100 questions now.


Mental Health

Bloomington Mental Health Resources (in Spanish also)

Suicide Prevention Resource Center (https://www.sprc.org/)

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center has a wide variety of resources.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK (8255)) - available 24/7 for people wanting or needing to talk.

Good resources for Mental Health in the area - English, Spanish, Somali

Online Therapy.com

  • OnlineTherapy.com is an international online therapy directory connecting people with therapists worldwide.

Hennepin County Mobile Crisis Team (24/7 support)

  • Counselors for youth: 612-348-2233

  • Counselors for people 18 and older: 612-596-1223

Summit Guidance Center

  • Provides mental health (culturally competent) - St. Paul

National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI)

  • Free online mental health support groups and classes.

  • For in-the-moment counseling, call the warm line at 651-288-0400 or text “Support” to 85511. This service is for when talking with a counselor would be helpful

Crisis Connection

  • 24 Hour crisis support by phone or text

  • Phone: (612) 379-6363

  • Crisis Lifeline: Text: 741741 (you can text anything to this number for a response)

Be Calm (website)

  • We all need a place to go where we can find some peace and just be. Please enjoy (music, videos, pictures, etc).

Housing


  • Affordable rental housing in Bloomington

  • Minnesota Housing is Minnesota’s state housing finance agency. Their agency believes housing is the foundation for success, so they collaborate with individuals, communities, and partners to create, preserve, and finance affordable housing. One of the main goals of their work is to prevent and end homelessness.

  • Start Up Program – For first-time homebuyers. The definition of a first-time homebuyer is someone who has not had an ownership interest in a principal residence for the past three years.

  • Step Up Program – For current or repeat homebuyers. Certain first-time homebuyers can apply to this program if their income exceeds the Start Up Program’s limit.

  • Homeownership Capacity Program – Launched in 2014 in response to Minnesota’s large disparities in homeownership rates between white households and BIPOC households. This program consists of non-profits helping prepare low-income renters and BIPOC households with the goal of homeownership to become sustainable homeowners through financial education and coaching.

  • Fix Up Loan Program – Offers affordable, fixed interest rates with loans from $2,000 to $75,000 for home improvement projects.

  • HomeHelpMN Program – Mitigates financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements. This program is for homeowners who experienced financial hardship after January 21, 2020 and will be accepting applications soon.

  • RentHelpMN – Provides support for renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Renters who apply can use the funding to pay for rental expenses such as rent, utilities, other housing expenses and future rent. For more help, call 2-1-1 to be referred to a local community partner who can help you complete your application.

Safety

General Safety

Cornerstone - Domestic violence support (open 24 hrs)

Tubman' Chrysalis Center

  • We can help with crisis situations through our 24-hour resource line (612- 825-0000) and shelter services. We will also support clients through their long-term healing processes and help them overcome barriers through our core service areas: shelter and housing, mental and chemical health, legal services, youth programs, and workshops and support groups. https://www.tubman.org/get-help/


Resources for Crime Victims

MN Department of Human Rights

No Minnesotan should have to live in fear because of who they are. If you experienced or witnessed discrimination, contact our office to speak with an investigator.

Legal - Divorce, Immigration, and Hate Crimes

Law Help MN

  • A guide to help you find help for legal help in many areas.

Immigration

Divorce


Resources for Crime Victims

MN Department of Human Rights

No Minnesotan should have to live in fear because of who they are. If you experienced or witnessed discrimination, contact our office to speak with an investigator.

Financial

Internet and Computers

Employment

Disability

Bridge to Benefits - Online benefits screening tool

  • Answer a few questions with this online tool and understand which benefits you qualify for and where to go.

  • Also, this site has good Covid-19 resources and explain benefit changes during Covid-19.

Help for Single Parents and Families

The Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership (formerly Displaced Homemaker Program)

        • For anyone who has been a primary caregiver (children or other family members) and has lost their financial support due to divorce, separation, loss of public financial assistance, etc.

        • Through this FREE program, we can provide support around personalized assessments, individual counseling, education and training, job search and placement, networking as well as other short term assistance

        • Contact: Tara Munroe, Career Counselor, 612-460-0838, tara.munroe@avivomn.org

    • Eden Prairie Family Resources Program

    • Minnesota CarePartner - Now Offering Parent Community Support Program, FREE! No Insurance Required!

      • Minnesota CarePartner's Parent Community Support Program provides culturally sensitive support and resources for families. They provide in-home and community based services to make them more accessible. Some services include:

  • Providing culturally responsive in-home or virtual Parent Mentoring, counseling and supportive therapeutic services to parents who are experiencing life/parenting/relationship/community challenges.

  • Virtual & in-home BIPOC Lactation consultation & education

  • Work with individuals, their children and family to develop practical parenting skills to reduce the impact of mental health conditions on the child and the family system. This includes a focus on keeping children safely in their home and/or reunification.

  • Virtual parent psycho-education groups around topics of child development, co-parenting, wellness, domestic violence, mental health and other topics important to group members.

  • Work with families to gain employment and/or public assistance, transportation and other related benefits, manage medical issues, help in applying for health insurance, child protection concerns etc.

  • Virtual or in-home nutrition for families

  • Coordinate referrals to case management, primary physician, personal care attendants, independent living services, therapy.

  • Help families navigate community/government system(s),

  • Parent Mentors can also purchase diapers, wipes, food, gas cards, groceries, etc. for families

MN driver's license (Regular, Class D)

Transportation

Food

  • YMCA and Every Meal will distribute FREE food bags (meals): November 19 - January 3.

      • Families may pick up food during open hours Monday through Friday at select YMCAs

      • Click HERE for locations

  • Fare for All returns indoors at Creekside Community Center.

      • Get name-brand foods at up to 40 percent off regular prices. This sale is open to all with no qualifications or restrictions.

FARE FOR ALL FRIDAY

Fare For All Friday returns to Creekside Community Center today (April 22), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. with its monthly food sale.

The April Hot Buy offers over two pounds of Hormel "Always Tender" Pork Tenderloin for only $5. The April Produce pack features potatoes, carrots, grapefruit, apples and more for $10.

All shoppers are welcome. No registration is required and there are no income restrictions.

Clothing

  • Joesph's Coat

      • Appointment only. Call 651-291-2472 Monday-Thursday 9am - 3pm.

  • Prop Shop in Eden Prairie

  • Closet of Hope -Bloomington Covenant Church, (952) 831-8339

      • A free clothing store available for Bloomington and Richfield (ID required, birth certificates for children)

Tubman Center's Harriet's Closet

      • "Offers new and gently used clothing for youth and adults of all genders at no cost"

Home Furnishings

Community Education Classes

For Students Exiting out of Metro South ABE

For students who are exiting out of Metro South who do NOT want Adult Diploma, GED, or College Prep

(scores 244 and higher on a 907/908 )

Language Classes

Public Speaking

Volunteermatch.org

  • Find a volunteer opportunity near you.

  • Build your work skills and English skills.

  • Make friends and learn about potential new jobs!

Other ESL Websites

Grammar


ESL


Vocabulary


Pronunciation


Writing


Listening


Reading


Videos


Dictionaries