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Education

2-1-1 United Way

2-1-1 call centers are staffed 24/7 by trained Community Resource Specialists who quickly assess needs and refer callers to the help that they seek. They offer information on a broad range of services, including:

  • Food and housing support
  • Mental health and substance abuse resources
  • Legal assistance
  • Youth programs
  • Medical and dental clinics
  • Education and job training opportunities
  • Household items
  • Temporary financial assistance and money management
  • Childcare
  • Transportation



Phone
  • 2-1-1
  • 800-543-7709

Web
Address

Email
Adult Basic Education

Offered through AEOA, free one-on-one help with basic reading, writing and math, GED prep/testing, college preparation, resume and job search, interviewing skills, career assessment, computer and internet basics. Services are available to anyone 17 years of age or older and are not currently enrolled in secondary school.



Phone
  • 218-623-3036

Web
Address
  • Norlen Industrial Park
    2124 10th Street
    Two Harbors, MN 55616

Email
AEOA Head Start Program

Provides a comprehensive early childhood program for low income families. Programming includes health, nutrition, mental health, disability and family support services. Serves pregnant mothers, children birth to 5 years old, and their families. Provides services to children who may have special needs or disabilities. Offers limited opportunities for families who are over income. Works through the Child and Adult Care Food Program to provide nutritious meals and snacks.



Phone
  • 218-834-2280
  • 218-749-2912 ext. 7351

Web
Address
  • Norlen Industrial Park
    2124 10th Street
    Two Harbors, MN 55616

Email
Community Action Duluth

  • Bridge to Employment-Offers training, development of employment/career goals and placement assistance (in Duluth). Must be enrolled in MFIP.
  • Education-Integrated coaching program to assist individuals looking to further their education, research career paths, provide guidance to pay off student loans, and take part in FAIM (assistance to pay for your education). Also offers GED certification, a six-week Certified Nursing Assistant class, Community Construction (to learn construction skills) and Steam Corps paid employment training.
  • Free Tax Site-Free tax preparation and refunds for families and individuals with income up to $58,000.
  • Common Cents Class-Free financial assistance class which provides information on asset building, creating a budget, understanding credit cards, credit reports, getting out of debt, dealing with collectors, getting a mortgage, preventing identity theft. Registration is required.
  • FAIM-Helps individuals build savings to start a business, pay for education, purchase a home, car, or other asset. This program offers matching funds.
  • Health and Food-Offers MNSure and SNAP navigation.
  • Transportation-We can help you regain your license to drive and/or give you a bike to get around town and to work. Also offers JumpStart, an affordable car loan program offering financial coaching, low-interest rate loans, and a repair fund savings account.



Phone
  • 218-726-1665

Web
Address
  • Suite 201
    2424 W 5th Street
    Duluth, MN 55806

Email
Ely Independent School District #696

Community Education-Provides a large variety of activities for community members. Call 218-235-2189 for more information.



Phone
  • 218-365-6166

Web
Address
  • Memorial High School Washington Elementary 600 East Harvey Street Ely, MN 55731

Email
Friends of the Finland Community

Many activities are available at the Clair Nelson Center, such as bonebuilders exercise class, yoga, dancing, crafting, alcoholics anonymous, and youth open gym nights. Please visit their website for more information.



Phone
  • 218-353-0300

Web
Address
  • Clair Nelson Center
    6866 Cramer Road
    Finland, MN 55603

Email
Kickstart Preschool and Child Care Center

Offers infant care, toddler classes (16 to 33 months) and preschool (33 months to 5 years).



Phone
  • 218-510-0598

Web
Address
  • 1073 Highway 61 Two Harbors, MN 55616

Email
Lake Superior School District #381

  • Alternative Learning Center-Provides individually designed comprehensive, educational services to secondary students. Includes daytime school for both high school and middle school level students. Students must be at-risk as defined by statute. Students served are off-track for graduation and are working towards completing their graduation requirements. If student is still in school, talk to your guidance counselor. If you are out of school, call to make an appointment. Program also offers individuals, ages 16-21, a means to earn credit toward a high school diploma.  This program allows students who are behind in high school credits to make up classes in order to graduate.
  • Community Education-Offers Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), early childhood screening, a preschool program and childcare. Also offers school readiness, youth development, after school activities, driver education, elementary and junior high athletics, KIDS PLUS, Missoula Children’s Theatre, tutoring, adult basic education, defensive driving, health and safety training, job skills training, Silver Bay Area Community Theatre, community and family events. For Two Harbors information, call 218-834-8201 ext. 8230 or Silver Bay information, call 218-226-4437 ext. 8137.
  • Free and Reduced Meals-Free and reduced meals (breakfast and lunch) may be available to income-eligible families. See website for an application.

 



Phone
  • 218-834-8221 (Minnehaha Elementary)
  • 218-834-8201 (Two Harbors High School)
  • 218-226-4437 (William Kelley School)

Web
Address
  • Minnehaha Elementary
    421 7th Street
    Two Harbors, MN 55616
  • Two Harbors High School
    1640 Highway 2
    Two Harbors, MN 55616
  • William Kelley School
    137 Banks Blvd.
    Silver Bay, MN 55614

Email
Life House

Resource for homeless and street youth ages 14-24 offering a youth drop-in center, housing assistance, mental health and wellness programs, education and employment assistance, and sex trafficking/commercial sexual exploitation care housing and programming.

  • Chemical Health-Licensed alcohol and drug counselor provides chemical dependency support and can conduct Rule 25 and diagnostic assessments. Requires no payment or insurance for services.
  • Youth Drop-In Center-Provides hot meals, showers, lockers, laundry, basic need supplies, activities and group meetings. Call 218-722-7431 ext. 126 for more information. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 3pm-7pm and Wednesday 3pm-6pm (lunch provided for ages 19-24). Dinner for ages 15-19 are Monday-Friday 3pm – 5:30pm.
  • Mental Health & Wellness-Provides daily support and on-going services to improve physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Intensive case management is used to help youth improve health while obtaining life skills, stable housing, jobs, education, parenting education, and connections to community resources. Licensed alcohol and drug counselor provides chemical dependency support and can conduct Rule 25 and diagnostic assessments.  Requires no payment or insurance for services.
  • Futures Program-Voluntary program available to all Life House youth that may have been expelled or dropped out of school, who have little to no job experience, or who want to further their education and employment skills.
  • Education-Offers online GED preparation program, assists with high school enrollment/transfer paperwork and provides tutoring. Assists with entire college process (applications, meetings, tours, supplies, tutoring).
  • Employment-Program for youth who have multiple barriers to obtaining economic self-sufficiency.
  • Legitimate Hustle Program-Program gives youth an opportunity to safely earn money while learning entrepreneurial and employment skills. Life House staff guide and mentor each LHP cohort to start and operate their own social enterprise business.

Housing

  • Life House Housing Program-Over 48 units of housing with supportive case management throughout the Duluth community.  Includes services aimed at preventing homelessness, including emergency rental assistance for eligible homeless and street youth and young families; assistance with advocacy with landlords and utility companies; and rapid re-housing with housing identification, rent and move-in assistance, and rapid re-housing case management and services.
  • Safe Harbor-Provides a continuum of care for underage victims of sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation. Helps to connect survivors to services both within Life House and out in the community to help them heal from their traumas.
  • Sol House-House for survivors of sexual exploitation, staffed 24/7, room for six youth (ages 15-20).
  • Loft Shelter-10 bed emergency shelter for youth ages 15-19. Located at 102 W First Street, Duluth.
  • Host Homes-Program that matches young people ages 18-24 with caring and consistent adults who have a spare bedroom to offer.



Phone
  • 218-722-7431
  • Youth Safeline: 800-786-2929

Web
Address
  • 102 West First Street
    Duluth, MN 55802

Email
Literacy Minnesota

Resource to find free classes for adults near your home for assistance with receiving your GED and adult diploma, English (ESL), computers and job skills, reading, writing and math brush up, citizenship, and family literacy. Also offers a parenting program to help navigate the school system.



Phone
  • 651-645-2277

Web
Address
  • Suite 180
    700 Raymond Avenue
    St. Paul, MN 55114

Email
  • email@literacymn.org
Minnesota Help

A web-based means of finding information about education, services for people with disabilities, senior services, waiver services, unemployment, housing/homelessness, health care, transportation, jobs and money management.



Phone
  • 800-333-2433

Web
Address

Email
North Shore Collaborative

Provides prevention and early intervention services to children and families in Lake and Cook Counties.

  • Learning Opportunities Through Stories (LOTS)-Provides early literacy skills to ensure that children are ready for school.



Phone
  • 218-834-8403

Web
Address
  • 616 3rd Avenue
    Two Harbors, MN 55616

Email
  • Trisha.Scamehorn@co.lake.mn.us
North Shore Community School

Rural K-6 public charter school. Preschool available with before and after school daycare.



Phone
  • 218-525-0663

Web
Address
  • 5926 Ryan Road Duluth, MN 55804

Email
Northland Foundation

Offers Early Learning Scholarships to children under age five. The funds help families of young children pay for high-quality childcare and early education.



Phone
  • 218-723-4040
  • 800-433-4045

Web
Address

Email
Northwoods Partners

Friendly VisitsVolunteer visits for area seniors who are homebound or alone and who want or need contact with the community. We offer a simple walk in the park with a companion, stories and a laugh with a new friend, or sharing a hobby.   

Transportation   

  • Local Transportation-Volunteer supported program that provides rides to and from local services/events, running errands and local medical appointments. 
  • Long-Distance Rides are specifically provided for medical appointments. Volunteer long-distance drivers are reimbursed by Northwoods Partners miles driven and clients are asked to make a donation to help us to sustain our programs. 
  • Grocery Delivery is available. Set up a store charge account and our volunteers will deliver your groceries right to your home. Groceries are delivered on Wednesdays. 

Exercise Buddy Program A trained volunteer will meet with you weekly in your home to help increase your strength, flexibility, and balance.   

Community Exercise Group–Participants are led through a full body exercise routine that includes both seated and standing exercises.  The program is designed give participants a safe and effective workout that will allow them to increase and maintain their flexibility, stability, and movement.  Meets every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in the basement of First Lutheran Church. 

Men’s Memories & Movement GroupShare memories, stories, and life experiences over coffee & snacks and conclude each session with movement, light exercises to keep you active and help increase balance, range of motion and strength.  Meets every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Ely Senior Center. 

Matter of Balance Classes–Eight-week program that helps reduce the fear of falling and increases the activity levels of older adults. 

Tai Ji Quan:  Moving for Better Balance is a balance training regimen designed for older adults and people with balance disorders. TJQMBB is a 12-week progressive learning course where participants learn an adapted 8 form Tai Chi routine that is intended to address common and potentially debilitating movement and balance issues.  

Caregiver Consulting–Caregiver Consultants can provide family caregivers with useful information, skills and tools, as well as help with problem solving.  The consultant’s role includes developing strategies for the caregiver to achieve a balanced lifestyle that allows for both providing care and maintaining their own health.  The consultant will help identify the caregiver’s strengths and needs, develop a personalized caregiving plan with goals.  Along the way, they offer problem solving, coaching, and ongoing support to help the caregiver reach their goals. 

Northwoods Memory Care Program–We help guide you and your family through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia by providing resources and consultation to help reduce stress and increase family support. 

Caregiver Support Groups–Provides an opportunity to connect with others, validate each other’s experiences, and ask for advice, find out about useful resources, and safely vent your frustrations. Meets 4th Monday of the month, 10-11:30am, Ely Senior Center.

Aging Mastery Program (AMP)-AMP is a fun and engaging education and behavior change incentive program for aging well. The AMP core curriculum covers 10 topics. The classroom experience is a mix of didactic and interactive learning with an emphasis on peer-to-peer interaction. When they graduate from AMP, participants have set goals for positive actions in many aspects of their lives such as exercise, nutrition, finances, advance care planning, community engagement, and healthy relationships.

Powerful Tools For Caregivers–An evidence-based educational series that is six weeks long and is designed to help unpaid family caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a relative or family friend. Caregivers learn self-care tools like reducing stress, improving self-confidence, managing time, goal setting, problem solving, communicating their feelings, locating helpful resources, and making tough decisions.

Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL)-The SAIL exercise class is a strength, balance, and fitness program for community dwelling older adults that meets two to three times per work for one hour.

ACT on Alzheimer’s–We bring dementia education to Ely in the form of newspaper articles, books, handouts, speakers, and a community conversation series. Check our calendar for upcoming educational opportunities. 

REACH – Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health is an evidence-based caregiver consultation service. This program works one-on-one with caregivers to assess risk, assist with problem solving, provide skill building techniques, manage behavior changes and find time for themselves.  

Caregiver Relief–We coordinate volunteer help for the person who cares for a chronically ill home-bound loved one. 

Volunteer Training–New volunteers receive a one hour, face-to-face orientation that explains our history, services, programs, policies, and procedures.  Additional training may be provided to carry out specific services.  Every quarter, we offer a themed Volunteer Social that provides an opportunity for socializing with other volunteers and continuing education on volunteering. 

Tasty Tuesday-Join us at the Ely Senior Center to learn about healthy recipes, food preparation, and more!  Participation is free and availability is limited. Class is typically the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Call Kathleen at 218-302-1778 for more information and to register.



Phone
  • 218-365-8019

Web
Address
  • 328 West Conan Street
    Ely, Minnesota 55731

Email
  • office@northwoodspartners.org
University for Seniors

University for Seniors (US) is an association of older adults (50+) dedicated to lifelong learning and cultural enrichment. Programs include study groups, lectures, workshops, social activities, trips and more.



Phone
  • 218-726-7637

Web
Address
  • 515 Darland Administration Building
    1049 University Drive
    Duluth, MN 55812

Email
  • usask@d.umn.edu
University of Minnesota Extension Service

Master Gardner Program-Trained Master Gardeners and Extension Educators provide programs, information and resources in response to gardening and horticulture questions, climate change, plant biodiversity, pollinators, vegetable variations, and plant, insect and disease identification.



Phone
  • 218-834-8469

Web
Address
  • Lake County Service Center
    616 3rd Avenue
    Two Harbors, MN 55616

Email