East Side Neighborhood Service Inc

Programs: The senior programs department provides a variety of services to low-income individuals 55 years of age and above. These services are provided through the following programs: adult day program (friendship center), senior centers, senior food shelf, high rise mobile food shelf, senior workers project and senior transportation. Friendship center provides licensed health based care including stimulating activities for frail and vulnerable older adults in a safe and caring environment. The program also offers services for seniors with dementia including alzheimer's disease in a safe, calm and quiet environment. The neighborhood house senior dining provides recreational opportunities, referral services and congregate dining for participants. The senior food shelf and the senior high rise mobile food shelf provide monthly food items to meet the balanced nutritional food needs of participants. The senior workers project provides training and employment opportunities for seniors who are entering or re-entering the work force, and senior transportation offers a convenient and low cost means for older adults to access their healthcare providers, shopping and grooming needs, provide volunteer services in the community and maintain their social networks and health. In 2014, the senior programs department served a total of 4,080 seniors in the metro area.

the youth department provides an array of educational services (after-school, school release, and summer programming) for youth ages 5-19 at several sites in northeast and southeast minneapolis. Trained staff and adult volunteers facilitate programming, which is primarily in a small group or individualized format. Activities are designed to provide academic support and truancy prevention, build character and leadership in youth, empower youth as valuable and active community members, offer consistent and on-going relationships with positive adults, and teach interpersonal skills, through multi-generational and multi-cultural activities. The youth program targets developmental assets known to be crucial in the success and resiliency of youth, families, and community. The youth programs collaborate with schools, parks and other community agencies, and provide youth with after school and summer enrichment opportunities including leadership, education and community building. Esns has owned and operated camp bovey, a summer resident camp in northwestern wisconsin, for over 60 years, providing quality week-long camping experiences for youth (ages 8-14). Available to low income families at a subsidized rate, camp bovey's mission is to provide a safe place for youth to participate in outdoor activities that help build respect for themselves, one another and the environment. Menlo park academy offers an alternative high school academic program for grades 9-12 students with a curriculum that follows minneapolis public school standards. High interest classroom learning activities are designed to engage the varied learning styles and skill levels of the students. Educational training and life skill development empowers students to enter advanced educational programs and to achieve in all areas of life. Upon graduation, menlo students receive their diploma from edison high school in minneapolis. In 2014, youth services programs served 807 youth in the metro area.

east side's early childhood programs provide early childhood education and full time childcare using a developmentally appropriate, anti-biased curriculum for families from all income levels. Northeast child development center is a state licensed, nationally accredited program that serves children from 6 weeks of age to kindergarten. The program offers an experienced, dedicated staff, which is committed to creating an environment that encourages children to develop socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy services are offered on site, and adaptive programming for children with special needs is provided. Parents receive support through a variety of avenues including parenting groups, referrals to outside resources such as family counseling, mental health care, crisis interventions when needed, and a monthly newsletter containing resources and parenting tips. Parent involvement in their child's education, daily contact with teachers, serving on hiring panels, and event or program committees contribute positively toward creating a successful childcare experience and connection to east side. Our philosophy is to be responsive to the needs of our clients and community. In 2014, the program served 77 children and 108 adults in the metro area.