Skip to main content

Twin Cities Resources

Welcome to our resource page where you can find information about organizations offering support and aid across the Twin Cities.

General Resources

Findhelp.org

Find food assistance, help paying bills and other free or reduced-cost programs, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Twin Cities Mutual Aid Project

The Twin Cities Mutual Aid Project is a collective that maintains an online map tool to help people find and distribute essential supplies while our communities face intense hardship and disruption.

United Way 211

United Way 2-1-1 provides free and confidential health and human services information for people in Minnesota. We’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to connect you with the resources and information you need.

Hennepin County Office of Multicultural Services

  • Speaking 32 languages, this office connects immigrants and refugees to resources including but not limited to: financial assistance, health care, EBT/SNAP, family court, adoption, foster care, CPS, etc.
  • Qualifications: Hennepin County Residency
  • Email: oms@hennepin.org
  • Phone: (612) 348-2193

Bridge to Benefits by Children’s Defense Fund

Bridge to Benefits is a project by Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota to improve the well-being of families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits. By answering a few simple questions, you will be able to see if you or someone else may be eligible for public work support programs. We will NOT ask you for information that identifies you.

MAKE IT. MSP.

MAKE IT. MSP. is a strategic initiative of the GREATER MSP Partnership to make the Greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul region one of the country’s top performers at attracting, welcoming and retaining people.

Job Training and Employment

Avivo

Customized employment services to achieve your life and career goals. Career counselors create plans that are unique to each individual – a holistic approach for unemployed and under-employed men and women who are struggling to find work or start their careers. Career paths: IT, Medical Office, General Office

CLUES

Career coaching, job placement assistance and free career training workshops for anyone looking to get certified or advance their career, whether starting out in a new industry or moving up at a current job.

Hired.org

Hired provides professional career guidance, training assistance and job placement services to individuals seeking the next step in their career.

  • Career paths: Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Call Center, Office Administration, various training workshops
  • Workshop Calendar
  • Contact: Pathways@hired.org or (612) 808-9500

Project for Pride in Living

Provides self-paced, online job-focused curriculum and career coaching.

  • Qualifications: 18+ MN residency, GED or Highschool Diploma, background check, English proficiency, academic assessments
  • Career paths: Certified Nursing Assistant, Banking, Paraprofessional, Office Specialist, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Certification, Senior Jobs, and more.
  • Contact: ppl@ppl-inc.org or (612) 455-5300

Education

Literacy Minnesota

Free adult education. Find and enroll in adult education classes from ESL to GED, college prep and computer literacy.

  • Qualifications: 17+, not enrolled in a traditional K-12 program
  • Contact: email@literacymn.org and (651) 645-2277

CLUES

CLUES offers a variety of free educational trainings and classes for adults. Subjects include English, essential work and computer skills, GED prep, the U.S. citizenship exam, financial capability and more.

Health Insurance

Portico Healthnet

Assists with all things with Minnesota state health insurance including applications, eligibility, renewal, paperwork, reporting changes, advocating on behalf of clients with the State and insurance questions. Services Available in English, Spanish, Somali and Vietnamese.

Mental Health Services

Avivo

Serving adults living with serious and persistent mental illness or other mental health concerns move toward living successfully on their own and to be connected to the community — transitioning from long-term homelessness to housing, unemployment, and recovering from co-occurring chemical and mental health concerns.

CLUES

CLUES offers a safe space where trained professionals can help you or a loved one improve your ability to face problems, build self-esteem and increase your overall sense of wellbeing.

City of Minneapolis Mental Health Resources

Find information about mobile crisis teams, a cultural wellness directory, mental health services and more.

Online Therapy

Online therapy makes therapy more convenient by allowing individuals to have telepsychology sessions from almost anywhere in the world that there’s a stable internet connection. Online therapy researches each free online therapy services and evaluated key features to ensure the mental health support offered is secure, reliable and developed for all types of patients. To get started, visit the site and follow the included contact links.

Drug and Alcohol Recovery

CLUES

CLUES provides drug and alcohol assessments for individuals that are seeking treatment for alcohol and substance abuse.

Avivo

Day programs for those in drug and alcohol recovery and those suffering from mental health issues.

Help.org

Provides support for people who are dealing with substance abuse and addiction through comprehensive resources, guides and connecting people with the right treatment programs.

Legal Aid

Volunteer Lawyers Network

Can give legal advice on civil, family, and immigration cases.

  • Qualifications: Hennepin or 5 county metro
  • Intake Form Link
  • Contact: (612) 752-6677
    • Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or leave a message: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

HOME Line

HOME Line works to improve public and private policies relating to rental housing by involving affected tenants in the process. Their tenant hotline offers free legal assistance for renters.

  • Hotline Numbers:
    • English: (612) 728-5767 or toll free (866) 866-3546
    • Spanish: (612) 255-8870
    • Somali: (612) 255-8870
    • Hmong: (612) 255-7104
  • Email an attorney

Transportation

Metro Transit

Transit assistance and subsidies.

  • Qualifications: ID or Utility Document plus one of the documents listed
  • Intake Link
  • Contact: (612) 373-3333

Working Cars for Working Families

Zip code searchable database to find car assistance programs near you.

Wheels for Women

Cars for single mothers.

  • To be considered for a vehicle gift from Newgate School, you must meet the following criteria:
    • You are a current resident of the seven-county Metro area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties) and have lived in this area for at least one year.
    • You are a single female head-of-household with one or more dependent children (under 18 years) living with you.
    • Your school-age children are enrolled in school.
    • You are currently working full-time and have been working full-time for at least six months.
    • You have a valid State of Minnesota driver’s license.
    • The State of Minnesota requires proof of auto insurance before the ownership of a vehicle can be transferred to a new owner.
    • Your current annual income doesn’t exceed $35,000.
    • You do not own a vehicle or do not have a vehicle available to your household.
    • You’re able to provide information for verification when requested to do so.

Free Charity Cars

  • 1-800-Charity Cars provides free vehicles to a wide array of clients.
  • Application

Food Banks

Walker Church

Free community meals and groceries are available for pick-up every Tuesday from 4:30 – 6:00 pm. All are welcome.

  • Location: 3104 16th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
  • Contact: (612) 722-6612

Wait House Food Shelf

Pre-filled pantry bags are available for pick-up at Waite House and Brian Coyle Center during the usual food shelf operating hours. You do not need to make an appointment, but first-time visitors will be asked to complete a brief registration process.

  • Qualifications: ID Required
  • Location: 2323 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
  • Contact: (612) 721-1681
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 12:00 – 4:00 pm
    • Tuesday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
    • Wednesday: Closed
    • Thursday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
    • Fridays: Closed

Wait House Produce Distribution

Free fruits and vegetables for individuals and families offered two times each month. Visitors must register in the morning and pick up their produce later in the day. Days and times vary. See times below or call your neighborhood center if you have questions.

  • Qualifications: Appointment Required
  • Location: 2323 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
  • Contact: (612) 721-1681
  • Hours: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Brian Coyle Center Food Shelf

Pre-filled pantry bags are available for pick-up at Waite House and Brian Coyle Center during the usual food shelf operating hours. You do not need to make an appointment, but first-time visitors will be asked to complete a brief registration process.

  • Qualifications: ID Required
  • Location: 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55454
  • Contact: (612) 338-5282
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 pm
    • Tuesday: Closed
    • Wednesday: 12:00 – 4:00 pm
    • Thursday: Closed
    • Fridays: 12:00 – 4:00 pm

Brian Coyle Center Produce Distribution

Free fruits and vegetables for individuals and families offered two times each month. Visitors must register in the morning and pick up their produce later in the day. Days and times vary. See times below or call your neighborhood center if you have questions.

  • Qualifications: Appointment Required
  • Location: 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55454
  • Contact: (612) 338-5282
  • Hours: Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

Blaisdell YMCA

Lunch bags and meal packages with fresh food set out daily.

  • Qualifications: None
  • Location: 3335 Blaisdell Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
  • Contact: (612) 827-5401
  • Hours
    • Mon-Fri: 5:00 am- 8:00 pm
    • Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
    • Sunday: Closed

Child Care

YWCA Minneapolis Child Care

Through high-quality child care and early learning programs, YWCA Minneapolis can help your child develop their individual interests and skills, connect with peers and build positive behaviors to support their academic success and become well-rounded learners for life. Learn more and contact us about scholarship opportunities

Pillsbury Early Education Center

Pillsbury Early Education Center (PEEC) and our crisis nursery daycares are still operating. Short- and long-term child care services are available for essential services workers.

  • Location: 3501 Chicago Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
  • Contact: (612) 787-3648

Prescription Assistance

GoodRX

GoodRx is a searchable database that gathers current prices and discounts to help you find the lowest cost pharmacy for your prescriptions. GoodRx is 100% free. No personal information required.

Low Cost Utilities

Internet Essentials by Comcast

Affordable, high-speed internet for those in the Comcast service area.

  • Qualifications:
    • You are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others.
    • You live in an area where Comcast Internet service is available.
    • You are not an existing Xfinity Internet customer and have not subscribed to Comcast Internet within the last 90 days.
  • Application