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

Assistance in meeting household’s home heating costs.

Assistance in repair or replacement of a failing furnace.

Emergency assistance in the case of utility shutoff notices or non-delivery of fuel notices.

Assistance to avoid water shut off or reconnection of city water service.

Weatherization Services

Agency crews and contractors help reduce home energy costs through installation of insulation, weather-stripping, and caulking to reduce the energy burden on the homeowner and community.

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 Reahbilitation 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

Is a NO COST, family & child development school readiness program for children ages birth to 5 years, including pregnant moms. We believe parents know their children best and are their first and most important teacher.

Head Start is a service for children ages 3-5 with services available in home based and center based settings.

Early Head Start is a home based service for children ages birth to 3 years, including pregnant moms. Families receive weekly 1 ½ hour home visits and a 2 hour classroom time twice a month.

Financial Services

Tax preparation assistance.

Financial Education such as budgeting and credit monitoring.

Family Assets in Minnesota - 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.

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. Donate and become a partner in ending poverty.