Lakes and Pines Community Action Council, Inc.

Our mission is to build prosperous communities by serving local families and individuals in their pursuit of self-reliance.

Lakes and Pines works towards completing this mission by providing families and individuals with a variety of anti-poverty solutions. These include programs such as: Energy Assistance/Water Assistance, Weatherization, Homeless Prevention, Housing Rehabilitation, Head Start,  Senior Services, Financial Services and much more.

Energy Assistance Services

ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Primary heat assistance. Assists in paying a portion of the household's home heating bills.

REACH OUT FOR WARMTH: Assists households when funds for Energy Assistance are no longer available.

ENERGY CRISIS ASSISTANCE: For emergency situations such as utility shutoff notices or non-delivery of fuel.

ENERGY RELATED REPAIR: Helps homeowners repair or replace a failing furnace.

Weatherization Services

Agency crews and contractors provide energy conservation measures such as insulation, weather-stripping, and caulking to help reduce energy costs. Furnaces are also checked.

Housing Assistance Services

Lakes and Pines Community Action staff help customers find affordable housing, connect to job resources, help determine what benefits you may be eligible for and help you apply, establish a spending plan and work with customers to plan for stable long-term housing. Assistance type and the amount varies depending on a household's situation and their eligibility.

Assistance in the procurement of damage deposit and first month’s rent.

Assistance in the prevention of eviction and foreclosure.

Emergency assistance (motel voucher).

Small Cities Development Program/Housing Rehabilitation

HOUSING REHABILITATION LOAN: Financing to eligible households to make basic permanent repairs to their home which can also include making improvements for handicap accessibility.

SMALL CITIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Grant program that cities & townships (with a population under 50,000) or counties can apply for through the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development.

Head Start Programs

EARLY HEAD START/HEAD START are a NO COST comprehensive family & child development school readiness programs for children ages birth to 5 years, including expectant families. We believe parents know their children best and are their first and most important teacher and their engagement is key to strong child development. We work to guide you through your child’s healthy development and assist your family with setting and achieving goals. Learning opportunities are available in home based and center based settings.

HEAD START is service for preschool age children ages 3 to 5 years. This service works with the parent(s) to promote the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development in children ages 3 to 5 years to prepare them for kindergarten. Services are available in home based and center based settings.

EARLY HEAD START is a service for children ages birth to 3 years, including expectant families. This service works with the parent(s) or guardian(s) to promote the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of infants and toddlers. Services are available in home based and center based settings.

Financial Services

VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Lakes and Pines is provides free tax preparation for eligible low-income individuals and families.

SOCIAL SECURITY APPLICATION ASSISTANCE: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application assistance.

FAMILY ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE IN MN (FAIM): Savings program to help low-wage earners in Minnesota build assets through the purchase of a home, pursuit of higher education or launching of a new business.

FINANCIAL LITERACY: is having the knowledge and skills to make informed judgments and effective decisions about money management.

Self-Sufficiency Programs

THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) provides Minnesotans with low incomes to get the food they need for sound nutrition and balanced meals.

THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING (SNAP E&T) program provides people with free employment and education training and support for people receiving SNAP benefits, but not receiving MFIP.

MNsure IN-PERSON ASSISTANCE & NAVIGATION assists individuals and families in obtaining health care coverage.

These are just some of the services Lakes and Pines provides to our neighbors who are in need. To learn more about Lakes and Pines, please visit our website, www.lakesandpines.org, or call us at 320-679-1800 or 800-832-6082. Thank you for your interest in our organization. Please consider donating and becoming a partner in ending poverty.