360 Communities

With services in over 40 locations, 360 Communities helps about 18,000 people each year. We have two domestic and sexual violence shelters, a network of five food shelves, two family resource centers and three programs that promote school success from birth through high school graduation. More than 1,000 volunteers donate their time, energy and talent to 360 Communities every year.

360 Communities delivers a full circle of support to families through its strong �network of programs, resources, and community partners. No matter how a person enters 360 Communities, staff and volunteers engage them to identify the root �causes of their problems and provide resources to help them onto a path toward �self-sustained success.

Food Shelves and Resource Centers

360 Communities has the largest network of food shelves in Dakota County. Our network of five food shelves and two family resource centers provide immediate aid to individuals and families and access to resources to help them reach self-sufficiency. In 2016, more than 12,000 people benefited from this vital service, including over 10,200 individuals served by our food shelves in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Farmington, Lakeville, and Rosemount. Family resource centers in Burnsville and Rosemount serve as open, welcoming places for community members to gather, work with volunteers and staff, and plan their individual paths to success.

Violence Prevention and Intervention

Since the first 360 Communities Lewis House shelter opened its doors in 1979, more than 83,000 survivors of sexual and domestic abuse have benefited from its safety, support and advocacy services, with help provided to about 3,000 women and children annually. Trained advocates offer emotional support, referrals to community resources and help with navigating the court system. 360 Communities Sexual Assault Services offers a 24/7 telephone hotline and trained advocates to help sexual assault survivors cope with the aftermath of the physical and emotional trauma they had experienced. Sexual Assault Services offers support groups, crisis counseling, medical advocacy, and more.

School Success

360 Communities’ three school success programs ensure children arrive at school ready to learn. Dakota Healthy Families is a home visiting program that enhances parenting skills of first-time parents and promotes a healthy learning environment in the home so children can start kindergarten prepared for school success. Child Care Aware works with licensed day care providers, unlicensed child care providers, as well as parents and other community organizations to promote the availability, affordability, and quality of child care services in Dakota County. Partners For Success® employs family support workers in 32 schools and 8 school districts to partner with educators and families. Family support workers implement effective home-based strategies to increase parental involvement, improve academic performance, and connect families to community resources.