
Each year, Jewish Family and Children Services provides support for individuals and families to celebrate Passover with ritual foods and other meaningful items to celebrate the holiday. If you are interested in registering for this program, reach out to Ashley Wyatt at awyatt@iocp.org or 763-489-7505. Deadline for registration is Thursday, Feb. 25.
COVID-19 Hotline for Refugees and Immigrants
The Department of Human Services Resettlement Programs Office has a new hotline that will help refugees and immigrants with any concerns they have related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Refugees and immigrants can call the hotline, 651-318-0989, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for information on:
The hotline has staff that can speak Amharic, Anuak, Arabic, French, Hindi, Karen, Lingala, Luganda, Mashi, Oromo, Somali, Spanish and Swahili. Language line help is available for any other language.
Other helpful resources for COVID-19
State-sponsored free COVID-19 testing sites
In an effort to prevent our community from experiencing unnecessarily high outbreaks of COVID-19, The Power of People Leadership Institute has partnered with The MN Dept of Health and other community organizations to encourage a greater degree of COVID testing. Learn more.
With the tax season approaching, have you found yourself thinking of filing your own taxes? Prepare and Prosper can support you to prepare taxes online for free with the help of a Self-Prep Tax Guide and/or free, weekly, online training sessions. Webinars will continue every week until April 20, 2021. Visit the Prepare and Prosper website.
MN Cold Weather Rule
The State of Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule helps customers who cannot pay their gas bill in full. It may not completely stop winter disconnections but provides customers extra protection from Oct. 15 through April 15.
If you have questions or would like more information, contact CenterPoint Energy at 612-372-4680 or 800-729-6164 (toll-free). You can also learn more online.
Meals to go!
LSS Meals to Go is a convenient and affordable frozen meal delivery service that is available throughout Minnesota. Payments can be made by check, credit card or through the Alternative Care Program, Elderly Waiver or SNAP. The Community Access for Disability Inclusion Waiver will soon also cover the cost. Learn more information and view menus.
EBT and SNAP Updates
Online EBT now available for SNAP recipients through Amazon and Walmart
Minnesota has been approved by FNS for online EBT purchasing use for SNAP. (Cash assistance cannot be used online at this time.) Participants will need to pay for delivery fees and taxes (if applicable) with another payment source (credit card or debit card, PayPal). For more information about these services visit these websites:
Additional Food Resources
Plymouth Metrolink
Service Update
Metrolink has implemented a service increase from the previous reduced level. These changes include many redesigned fixed routes. They are also now offering weekend dial-a-ride service. Learn more.
Translation Services
Plymouth Metrolink and Dial-A-Ride services offers translation services. The app that is being used to schedule rides currently offers English and Spanish settings with more languages to come. For more information on these services contact Nur Kasin (nkasin@plymouthmn.gov or 763-509-5013.
Support for Afterschool Programs Through Tax Credits
Whether it’s music lessons, robotics camp, tutoring, driver’s education or more, Minnesota Afterschool Advance helps students and their families fund their afterschool goals through the Minnesota K-12 Education Tax Credit. Learn more.
Parent Support
The Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis ParentChild+ program is a free home visiting program for families that promotes creative ways to learn through play, enhances parenting skills and helps children prepare for school. Learn more.
Early Learning Support
If so, the Wayzata Early Learning School’s (WELS) Outreach Team would like to connect with you! WELS offers a variety of early learning opportunities for children ages birth to five including preschool, parent and child classes, early childhood screening, intervention programs, and much more! We offer both in-person and virtual classes. Our Outreach Team can assist you with class registration, scholarship information, get you connected with community resources, and/or answer questions about our programs and school district. Call us to learn more about our free family activity classes!
Contact Tori Lee, Early Childhood Outreach Specialist, for more information, or visit the school’s website.
Tori Lee
763-238-9701
Tori.Lee@wayzataschools.org
Updates on WPS Food Support for Students
Wayzata Public Schools’ (WPS) Culinary Express has made changes to food meal kit distribution. All students will continue to receive meals at no cost. All students can still order weekly meal kits.
Meals Served in School:
Weekly Meal Kit Pick Up:
February Meal Pick Up Location and Day:
Fridays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Wayzata Public School Building, 295 Highway 55, Medina (West end of building). Order deadline: Tuesdays at 11 p.m.
*Please note for week of February 8: Due to no school on Friday, pick up will be Thursday, February 11.
If you have questions or concerns about picking up meals, please call Culinary Express at 763-745-5154 or email wpsculinaryexpress@wayzataschools.org.
Unemployment Insurance
If your hours or rate of pay have been substantially reduced, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits (UI). All workers affected by COVID-19 should apply. The UI Program will review your application and determine your eligibility for benefits.
Two ways to apply for Unemployment Benefits:
NOTE: If you need to apply for unemployment benefits for the first time, please refer to the schedule below to learn when you are scheduled to apply. You will only be allowed to apply on your assigned day (or on Thursday/Friday if you missed that day).
Questions? Visit the COVID-19 and Unemployment Insurance Benefits page.
Eviction Suspensions
For up-to-date information on eviction moratoriums please visit the HOME Line website.
Tenant Resource Center
A tenant resource center is available on the first floor of Urban League Twin Cities at 2100 Plymouth Avenue N, Minneapolis. The center is a collaborative set of resources that are co-located to prevent eviction and housing displacement for people in our community. Resources include emergency assistance, legal help, mediation, and workforce. The Tenant Resource Center website provides additional information on hours of operation, services and workshop dates.
Housing Search Support
Are you interested in locating affordable housing? Do you have questions on the requirements when applying for housing? Would you like to know more about your rights as a tenant?
HousingLink is a great online resource to answer all of these questions and more. Click here for more information on affordable housing resources and information for renters, landlords, researchers and policy makers.
Utilities
Xcel Energy
Until further notice is given, Xcel Energy has stopped service disconnections for residential customers. Learn more online or call 800-895-4999.
CenterPoint Energy
Temporarily, gas disconnections have been postponed. To learn more about payment options call 800-245-2377.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Read the CDC’s recommendations for steps you can take, how to cope with stress, and more during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minnesota’s Board on Aging
Helping Minnesota’s Older Adults during COVID-19. View their website.
Senior Community Services
Information on senior outreach, caregiver support and changes to services due to COVID-19 on their website.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels continues to deliver nutritious meals to individuals throughout the Twin Cities. Sign up online or call (612) 623-3363.
Elder Friends Phone Companions
A program matching socially isolated adults with a friendly phone companion. Phone companions must complete a background check. Visit this website if you would like to receive calls or volunteer to make calls.
YMCA Health and Fitness Videos – Active Older Adult
On-demand videos showing follow-along home workouts. Minimal equipment needed – grab a chair and get started here.
We acknowledge that these are challenging times, but taking a moment to prioritize the mental health of ourselves and our loved ones is crucial. Please see the following resources on self-care techniques, and ways to connect with mental health professionals.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Read the CDC’s recommendations for managing stress and anxiety.
Interfaith Outreach partners with two mental health providers
Both agencies are currently providing tele-medicine, and can work with you by phone or through remote meeting services such as Zoom.
For more information on how to get connected with a Relate or Washburn counselor, please talk with Interfaith Outreach staff. Case Managers, Neighborhood Program staff or Employment Services staff are all able to connect you.
Crisis Text Line
24/7 emergency service. Text ‘MN to 741741’ if you or someone you know is experiencing a psychiatric or mental health crisis. Visit the Crisis Text Line website for more information.
Minnesota Warmline
Are you needing support and someone to talk to? Professionally trained Certified Peer Specialists, with first-hand experience living with mental health conditions will answer your calls. Call 651-288-0400. Text “Support” to 85511 or visit visit the Minnesota Warmline website.
The Walk-in Counseling Center
Services have transitioned from face-to-face walk-in counseling to virtual counseling sessions. To get started by phone or computer, please follow the instructions on the Walk-in Counseling Center website.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
A 24/7 lifeline providing support when in distress. You may receive prevention and crisis resources for yourself, loved ones, and for professionals. Call 1-800-273-8255.
Hennepin County’s Mental Health Services
County Crisis Contacts
A directory of mental health crisis phone numbers for adults and children organized by county
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Visit NAMI’s Minnesota office Mental Health Support And COVID-19 webpage.
Internet Access