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Financial

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. Services are free and confidential. 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
  • Job training opportunities
  • Household items

and much more…..



Phone
  • 2-1-1
  • 800-543-7709

Web
Address

Email
AARP VITA Tax Information

Serves Two Harbors and Silver Bay. Free, confidential tax preparation for low income and elderly individuals.



Phone
  • 218-595-0267 (Two Harbors)
  • 218-226-3635 (Silver Bay)

Web

Address

Email
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA)

Employment and Training

  • CareerForce-As a partner with CareerForce, AEOA provides under-employed and unemployed individuals with information on coping with unemployment, seeking and applying for employment, maintaining employment, as well as providing information on training opportunities and other forms of employment and training assistance. Job Clubs offer an opportunity for job seekers to network with other job seekers and to share experiences in their search for employment.
  • Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM)-The FAIM Program is a matched savings project to help low-wage earners build assets through purchase of a home, pursuit of higher education, or launching a small business. Income limits apply, and participants are provided financial literacy and asset-specific education in either homeownership, college preparation, or business development.
  • Minnesota Dislocated Worker Program (DW)-The DW Program helps workers who lost their job through no fault of their own find a new career. An individual typically must qualify for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to be eligible. DW staff work with the unemployed worker to re-enter the workforce in a stable job within a high-demand occupation providing career counseling and planning. Resources available through the DW program can include financial assistance for approved training, housing assistance, transportation assistance, relocation assistance, childcare, and other career-related needs. There may also be an opportunity for paid on-the-job training.
  • Minnesota Family Resiliency Program (MFRP)-The MFRP Program is for individuals who have lost their primary source of income for reasons such as loss of a relationship through separation, divorce, death, or disability. If you lose public assistance benefits you may also qualify for the program. You must have provided unpaid household services for at least two years, have lost your primary source of income, and now find that you must support yourself or your family. Employment Counselors help individuals seek employment, assist in budgeting, teach stress management skills, and provide guidance and support, among other things. There are limited financial resources to assist clients with training costs, transportation, childcare, and housing assistance. Eligible MFRP participants may also be eligible to receive services from the Dislocated Worker program which could include additional assistance with training, transportation, childcare, and housing assistance.

Housing Resources

  • First-time Homebuyer Program-The Homeownership Assistance Program is designed to promote and encourage homeownership by providing training and counseling to first-time homebuyers. Down payment and closing cost assistance may be available to income-eligible, qualified first-time homebuyers who complete the workshop.
  • Homeless Services-Homeless services are designed to keep community members housed, either through prevention resources or rapid rehousing. This includes assistance in finding housing and other support services, as well as direct assistance with rent, security deposits, mortgage, and other assistance targeted for families, single adults, and youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Those experiencing homelessness or precariously housed should start the eligibility process by calling 211 for an intake.
    • Emergency and Transitional Housing—AEOA owns and operates the homeless shelter, Bill’s House in Virginia, which consists of four emergency housing units and eight transitional housing units. AEOA also owns and operates the homeless shelter Home on the Range in Hibbing that consists of 28 emergency housing units, as well as and two additional emergency apartment units in Hibbing. Individuals can reside in emergency housing units for a maximum of 30 days and 90 days in transitional units. Residents of AEOA shelters receive case management, which provides one-to-one supportive services to help them stabilize their lives and work on self-sufficiency.
    • Homeless Youth Housing-Owned by AEOA, the Virginia Youth Foyer is independent and permanent living for youth who are homeless and in need of permanent housing. The building consists of 13 efficiency units and two 2-bedroom units. Youth play an active role in creating community within the Foyer as support groups, cooking groups, parenting classes, GED prep, and more take place on-site. Specialists in mental health and chemical health assist in assessment, goal planning, and case management for those young people most in-need.
    • Housing Support Services for Adults with Serious Mental Illness (HSASMI) – HSASMI provides direct services to adults with serious mental illness who need assistance with accessing housing. Eligible clients are screened and assessed, and an individualized housing support plan is developed. The client receives assistance with the housing search, application process, identifying resources available to cover one-time expenses that facilitates the access of housing and establishment. In addition, a housing support crisis plan is developed that includes prevention and early intervention services when the client’s housing is jeopardized.
    • Permanent Supportive Housing – Located in Eveleth at the Italian American building is the Single Room Occupancy program that is owned and operated by AEOA. This program consists of 12 efficiency apartments for single homeless individuals. Site-based Section 8 is provided, and individuals pay 30% of their income for rent. The Ivy Manor in Virginia provides housing stability to individuals who are homeless or have physical and/or emotional disabilities.

 HOUSING SERVICES

  • Energy Assistance Program (EAP)-AEOA’s Energy Assistance Program helps low-income residents heat their home throughout the winter by providing help and information needed to manage their fuel costs. The program provides financial grants to be used toward energy costs for residential heating bills with additional funds available for crisis situations and energy-related repairs. Households must provide verification of their incomes for the eligibility period to qualify for this program.
  • Single Family Rehabilitation-AEOA administers a variety of programs for eligible homeowners to make basic improvements to the safety, livability, energy efficiency, and accessibility of their homes. Examples of improvements include electrical wiring, furnace or boiler replacement, window, and door replacements, siding and roofing, plumbing and septic system upgrades, mold and radon mitigation, and lead-based paint hazards. You may be eligible if you: own and occupy your home, are current with property tax and mortgage payments, have homeowner’s insurance, and meet program income limits.
  • Weatherization Assistance Program-Weatherization Assistance services are available to income-eligible homeowners. AEOA’s highly qualified Energy Auditors provide client education and perform energy audits to evaluate energy usage. AEOA’s experienced and Skilled Work Crews will then complete improvements to reduce heating costs. Examples of improvements include exterior wall and attic insulation, air sealing, and home heating systems repair. Services are free for low-income households who qualify.

MNsure Marketplace AssistanceAEOA’s certified Navigator provides free assistance to help clients achieve successful enrollment into health coverage through the MNsure Marketplace. AEOA’s Navigator provides assistance to any consumer who contacts them for help and complies with MNsure’s data privacy and security standards requirements.



Phone
  • 218-623-3033

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

Email
  • Amy.Renne@aeoa.org
Community Action Duluth

  • Education-Offers classes, integrated coaching, saving with the FAIM program, and other educational opportunities.
  • Financial Opportunity Center-Integrated coaching program to assist individuals looking to further their education, learn computer skills, 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, Certified Nursing Assistant classes, Community Construction classes and Stream Corps, an 11-month paid employment program.
  • Health and Food-Sign up for SNAP and MNSure benefits, and learn more about the mobile market, farmer’s markets and Deep Winter Greenhouse.
  • Job Training & Transitional Employment-Learn more about paid employment training, integrated coaching and more.
  • Free Tax Site-IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free.
  • Transportation-We can help you get around by bike, save for a car, and obtain a driver’s license.



Phone
  • 218-726-1665

Web
Address
  • Suite 102
    2424 W 5th Street
    Duluth, MN 55806

Email
Lake County Health and Human Services

  • Health Care-Medical Assistance, Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities, Long Term Care, TEFRA, Medicare Savings Program.
  • Mental Health Services-Case Management services for children and adults.
  • Cash Assistance-Minnesota Family Investment Program, Diversionary Work Program, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, General Assistance, Housing Supports (formerly known as Group Residential Housing). Apply for Cash Assistance benefits at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as food stamps and/or food support)-Apply for SNAP benefits at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/
  • Emergency Programs-Emergency Assistance and Emergency General Assistance. Apply for Emergency Assistance benefits at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/
  • Car Seat Installations-A certified car seat technician is available to assist you.
  • Child and Teen Check-up-Program for children on Medical Assistance and Minnesota Care. Information is available about good physical health, development and growth, hearing and vision checks and immunizations. Complete physical exams are also available at your local clinic.
  • Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)-May be available to families who are employed, seeking employment, or are in school or training. Apply for CCAP benefits by calling our office, picking up an application or going on-line at https://applymn.dhs.mn.gov.
  • Child Protection-Workers receive reports of possible physical, emotional or sexual abuse and/or neglect and take appropriate action to provide safety for the children.
  • Child Foster Care Services-A licensed, home-like setting for children who are unable to live with their families and need placement on emergency, temporary, long-term or respite basis.
  • Children and Family Services-Voluntary services to help families stay together; provides ongoing case management with individualized plans and assistance for your family’s needs.
  • Family Based Services-Provides parent education and counseling in the family home as an alternative to an out-of-home placement or preparing for a child to return home.
  • Follow Along Program-Babies and children grow and learn at their own rate. Some children need special help to grow up healthy and learn skills such as sitting, walking, or talking. This program is to help determine if this is true for your child.
  • Newborn Home Visits-Visits to a home or in the office by a public health nurse specializing in parent and child health. A visit will include weighing your baby, assessing your baby from head to toe, and providing information on sleep habits, feeding your baby, infant cues, playing with your baby, general baby care. The nurse will also answer any of your questions and direct you to community resources if necessary. If you would like to meet before your baby is born, the nurse will talk to you about making sure you are doing all you can to have a healthy baby. This is a free and confidential service to all Lake County families.
  • Women, Infants and Children (WIC)-Provides supplemental food and nutrition education to eligible pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under age 5.
  • Child Support-Assistance in locating parents, establishing parentage, establishing court orders for child support, medical support, and child care support, reviewing and modifying court orders for child support, medical support and child care support, adjusting court orders based on cost-of-living, enforcing court orders, collecting and processing payments. MN Child Support Online: http://www.childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us/Action/Welcome



Phone
  • 218-834-8400 (Two Harbors office)
  • 218-226-4443 (Silver Bay office)
  • 800-450-8832

Web
Address
  • Two Harbors office:
    616 3rd Avenue
    Two Harbors, MN 55616
  • Silver Bay office:
    Silver Bay Service Center
    99 Edison Blvd.
    Silver Bay, MN 55614

Email
Lutheran Social Services

Crisis

  • Safe Place-provide immediate support to youth in a crisis. We partner with libraries, fire stations, bus transit and other community organizations that display big yellow Safe Place signs in their windows to signal to youth that they are a safe place to get immediate help.
  • Duluth Runaway & Homeless Youth Services-Emergency hotline (218-626-2726) to talk to someone if you are thinking about running away, having a friend who has run away and is looking for help, you have run away and want to talk to your parents but aren’t sure how, or you are worried about a friend and want information on how to help them.

Housing

  • Bethany Crisis Shelter-Bethany Crisis Shelter offers short-term, emergency housing for youth 17 years and younger. Referral by county social worker, court, or law enforcement. Provides supervised daily living, homebound education, recreational programming, weekly discussion groups, counseling, transportation and emergency foster care.
  • Host Homes-Program that matches young people ages 18-24 with caring and consistent adults who have a spare bedroom to offer in their home.
  • Another Door Emergency Housing Program-Program for young adults age 18-24 experiencing homelessness, offers short term housing and support to develop a plan.
  • LSS Renaissance-Transitional housing (up to 18 months) for youth 16-21 years old. While there, youth will develop skills to live independently.
  • Supportive Apartments-Offers long-term housing paired with supportive services for youth ages 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness and meet MN guidelines for homelessness.
  • Center for Changing Lives-Located at 1422 East Superior Street, Duluth. Phone 218-529-2230. Offers many options to youth with regards to homelessness.

Health Care 

  • Teen Health Clinic-Offers free walk-in wellness services including health screenings for teens and young adults who are 13-24 years old. Located at The Center for Changing Lives Duluth, 1422 East Superior Street, Duluth.

Education

  • Oh No Eighteen! (ONE) Independent Living Skills-This independent living skills program includes education, support and case management for young people who are about to transition out of foster care. We work with youth to provide life skills training to assist with a successful transition to adulthood.

Children’s Services

  • Supervised Visits-Conducts supervised visits for families referred by counties and courts, as well as providing fee-based supervised visits for families who seek them independently. Flexible scheduling at various locations throughout Duluth and surrounding area. Phone 218-391-9561 for more information or see http://www.lssmn.org/youth/duluth/supervised-visits/.
  • Bethany Crisis Nursery-Providing a safe and nurturing environment for children birth through age 12. Also provides crisis support and information and referrals. Located at 1422 East Superior Street, (phone: 218-302-6879).
  • Clothing Room-Offers baby clothes (newborn to size 7 in kids), diapers/wipes, blankets, hygiene products and other baby equipment (items are donated, so selection varies) to those in need free of charge. Call 218-302-6879 for an appointment.
  • Teen Closet-Offers free new and gently used clothing for youth ages 13-21. Teen closet is open Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. or call 218-481-5184 for an appointment time. Located on the third floor of the First Presbyterian Church, 300 E Second Street, Duluth.
  • Child Care-Temporary, emergency care for up to three days for children infancy through 12 years. Available day and night.

Groups

  • Together for Youth-A community outreach and support group for LGBTQ youth.

Financial

  • Working with families and individuals to solve debt and financial problems. Assists in setting up a realistic budget and payment plan to fit individual needs.



Phone
  • 218-529-2222
  • 888-577-2227 (financial line)

Web
Address
  • Suite 600
    424 West Superior Street
    Duluth, MN 55802

Email
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 (Senior Linkage Line)

Web
Address

Email
Resourceful

Resourceful is a free community resource guide to help you find free and reduced cost services near you:

  • Food
  • Housing
  • Goods
  • Transit
  • Health
  • Money
  • Care
  • Education
  • Work
  • Legal



Phone

Web
Address

Email
Salvation Army

Collaborates with area service agencies to provide last resort financial assistance to families and individuals in need. Financial assistance available to individuals/families ONCE every 365 days (one program per 365 days).

  • Back to School Program-Backpack and basic school supplies for families that are unable to purchase them.  Applications located at AEOA-Two Harbors and Lake County Health and Human Services.  Applications available in late July/early August.
  • Christmas Toy Distribution-Applications available mid-October through mid-November at AEOA – Two Harbors and Lake County Health and Human Services.



Phone

Web

Address

Email
USDA Rural Development

Single Family Housing programs give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build, or repair affordable homes. Eligibility for these loans, loan guarantees, and grants is based on income and varies according to the average median income for each area.

Through the program options below, USDA Rural Development offers qualifying individuals and families the opportunity to purchase or build a new single family home with no money down, to repair their existing home, or to refinance their current mortgage under certain qualifying circumstances. There are also programs to assist non-profit entities in their efforts to provide new homes or home repair to qualifying individuals and families.

For Home Buyers

  • Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans-Also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, this program assists low and very low-income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability. Payment assistance is a type of subsidy that reduces the mortgage payment for a short time. The amount of assistance is determined by the adjusted family income.
  • Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program-The Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program assists approved lenders in providing low and moderate-income households the opportunity to own adequate, modest, decent, safe and sanitary dwellings as their primary residence. Eligible applicants may purchase, build, rehabilitate, improve or relocate a dwelling in an eligible rural area with 100% financing. The program provides a 90% loan note guarantee to approved lenders in order to reduce the risk of extending 100% loans to eligible rural homebuyers – so no money down for those who qualify!

For Homeowners

  • Home Repair Loans and Grants-Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, provides loans to very low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.



Phone
  • 651-602-7800

Web
Address
  • 375 Jackson Street
    Suite 410
    St. Paul, MN 55101-1853

Email