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ResourceWest, a responsive community-based organization, assists people and strengthens the west metro community through collaborative programs and connections to resources.

We help build a healthier and stronger local community by connecting individuals and families to resources. We have been providing this support and assistance to our community since 1993.

Our core programs serve people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds with a deep impact in the western suburbs. Our children’s programs reach the cities of Minnetonka, Hopkins, Excelsior, Shorewood, Deephaven, Woodland, and Greenwood.

We collaborate with community partners connecting individuals and families to available programs and services to meet their needs. Connecting west metro residents to community resources and support is our daily mission.

We coordinate annual drives for school supplies, winter coats and gifts, coordinate a computer center and community meeting rooms, and host Relate Counseling, Hennepin Economic Assistance Outreach, and Accountability MN’s tax preparation services in order for them to provide services on site for our community.

Impact in 2016:

ResourceWest made over 10,000 resource connections for people looking for food, housing, healthcare, jobs, education, and more;
The Social Services Program provided personalized social service support to over 900 adults and families in crisis due to homelessness, sudden loss of income, health issues, or transportation issues;
Community Technology Center volunteers assisted people with writing resumes, filling out on-line job applications, and improving computer skills – over 950 visitors;
The Back to School Drive provided school supplies to over 1,150 students;
Winter Warm Wear program distributed over 2,200 items of Warm Wear to over 1,200 children;
The Toy Chest provided 5,700 gifts to over 1,000 children;
Prepare + Prosper – served 850 people with refunds totaling over $2.4 million;
HousingLink – we provided access to information via this website which lists affordable housing vacancies in the seven (7) county metropolitan area

ResourceWest offers direct services that include:

Information and Referral Service
Social Services Program (Licensed Social Worker) – Spanish and Somali speaking to provide more in-depth support.
Assistance with Resumes and Online Job Applications
Back-to-School (School Supply Drive)
Winter Warm Wear (Winter Outer Wear Clothing Drive)
Toy Chest (Holiday Gift Drive)
Free Fax, Copier, and Phone Use (With some guidelines.)

ResourceWest also hosts the following agencies:

In addition to providing basic information and referral resources to thousands of individuals by phone or drop in basis, the services we provide directly include:

Providing support for individuals needing more than a simple referral. For clients who return to us several times for basic needs or come to us for the first time with complex needs, we provide them with an intensive level of support. Our licensed social worker works with them first in stabilizing their situation and then in breaking the cycle of poverty. This may include finding affordable housing, developing stronger budgeting skills, enrolling in a job training program, having reliable transportation to get to and from school or a job, or finding ways to address related child care needs. Each year 600 or more individuals and families receive this level of support from us.

Stabilizing individuals through Bridge Assistance funds. Sometimes a ‘bridge assistance grant’ is needed to stabilize the client’s situation. Our bridge assistance grants are not long term assistance. Last year, 95% of the bridge assistance grants were related to transportation challenges for individuals trying to get to work.

Providing three children’s programs: “Back to School” supplies, “Warm Winter Wear” and “Holiday Toy Chest”. Of the families who participate in our three children programs, the median monthly household income is $1,200. For our Back to School Toy Chest, and Warm Winter Wear program, more than 500 families (more than 1,200 children and youth) benefited from each program.

Collaborations: Our collaborations go beyond referrals. We host several agencies onsite. Hosting these agencies recognizes that limited public transportation in the western suburbs can prevent individuals and families from getting the help they need on a timely basis. Programs we have hosted at our site include: ICA Food Shelf Employment Counselor, Children’s Dental Services, Prepare+Prosper, Portico Heathnet – MNsure navigator

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