ACCESS Program, Community Services—Adults With Disabilities
Lincoln Community Center
110 Fulton Street
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: Ability-Centered Community Education Support Services (ACCESS) provides programs and activities specifically for adults with disabilities, and accommodations or support services for individuals to participate in any or all CSRD programs/activities.
Contact: Julaine Trapp
Phone: (507) 345-5222
Fax: (507) 387-4770
Email:
Website: Mankato.cer.com
Direct Services and Recipients: Assisting people with disabilities during education, recreation, and leisure classes and programs. Volunteer for adaptive recreation opportunities. Classroom: one on one with individuals with disabilities.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must pass background check.
ACCESS-- Mankato Community Education/ Recreation—
Youth Enrichment
110 Fulton Street
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: Reach All- Teach All- Involve All; Lifelong Learning Opportunities
Contact: Melanie Schmidt Julaine Trapp
Phone: (507) 387-5501 Phone: (507) 345-5222
Fax: (507) 387-4770 Fax: (507) 387-4770
Email: Email:
Website: Mankato.cer.com Website: Mankato.cer.com
Direct Services and Recipients:
We have a wide range of activities for preschool to senior citizens. Duties include, but are not limited to, assisting with various enrichment courses. Assist teachers in educational classes.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must complete and pass a background check.
ACES School-Age Care
110 Fulton
Lincoln Community Center
Mission Statement: ACES is a parent-funded, nonprofit, school-aged care program provided by the Mankato Area Public Schools Community Education & Recreation department to meet the needs of children and families in our communities. ACES provides a safe, nurturing, and inviting environment where children feel they belong and can have fun.
Contact: Cori Sendle
Phone: (507) 387-5501
Fax:
Email:
Website: www.mankatocer.com
Direct Services and Recipients: Will provide mentoring to students, help with homework and scheduled programs. Volunteers have the opportunity to teach their favorite past time or skill. ACES is located at all Mankato area elementary schools.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Service-Learning students must pass a background check.
Adult Basic Education
110 Fulton Street #252
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: To provide adults with educational opportunities to acquire and improve their literacy skills, which are necessary to be self-sufficient and to participate effectively as productive workers, family members, and citizens.
Contact: Marilyn Solberg
Phone: (507) 345-5222 Ext. 411
Fax: (507) 387-5501
Email:
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients: Working with adult learners: tutoring, and assisting with classes.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Prefer a clean criminal background
Afterschool Walkabout
110 Fulton Street
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: Reach All- Teach All- Include All. Lifelong learning-opportunities
Contact: Sheila Rahn
Phone: (507) 387-5501
Fax:
Email:
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients: You will be tutoring students in grades 1-6 under the supervision of a lead teacher and a paraprofessional.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must pass a background check. Must be willing to commit to at least 15 hours during the semester.
Again Thrift & More Minnesota Valley Action Council
482 Raintree Rd.
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: We develop opportunities for people and communities.
Contact: Heather Condon
Donna Goettl
Phone: (507) 345-0451
Fax: (507) 345-2412
Email:
Website: mnvac.mankato.mn.us
Direct Services and Recipients: Merchandise preparation, cashiering, organizing, quality control, and consumer relations.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for service: none.
Arc of Minnesota Southwest
709 S. Front Street Suite 3
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: Our mission is to help people with developmental disabilities and their families to connect with resources, supports, and policy efforts. Our goal is an inclusive future where people of all ability levels are celebrated.
Contact: Wilbur Neushwander-Frink, Regional Coordinator
Catherine Hooper, Director of Development
Phone: (507) 345-4223
Fax: (507) 345-8145
Email: ;
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients:
Services: Services are flexible. They could include data entry, answering phones, updating website content, or helping set up and coordinate events and programs.
Recipients: People with developmental disabilities and their families.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: None
Blue Earth County Historical Society
415 Cherry Street
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: To collect, preserve, and promote the history of Blue Earth County, MN.
Contacts: Jessica Potter, Executive Director
Shelley Harrison; Archives Manager
Phone: (507) 345-5566
Fax: none
E-mail: or
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients: Working with youth in the Young Historians Program; Working side-by-side with Blue Earth County Historical Society volunteers (majority of whom are retired senior citizens); Volunteering at the History Fest youth event in the Fall.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: None
Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office
710 South Front Street
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: The basic philosophy of the Blue Earth County Jail Program Office is to develop and schedule programs and services to promote rehabilitation, positive attitudes, and help individuals become better citizens. By way of these pursuits, it is our goal to add to the safety and security of Blue Earth County and our community.
Contacts: Jack Considine
Phone: (507) 387-8732
Fax: (507) 387-8734
E-mail:
Website: blueearthco.org
Direct Services and Recipients: We are looking for correction students to volunteer their time running various programs for the prisoners of the Blue Earth County Jail. Some programs include a relaxation group, gym time, aerobics, and bingo and/or card tournaments. Duties of this position include working one-on-one and in small groups (no larger than 9 individuals) with prisoners.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Volunteers must have no criminal charges pending and/or no court supervision or suspended sentence. Must complete volunteer orientation. Must be at least 20 years old and have a willingness to help people. Patience and empathy are a must. Have an open-mind and non-judgmental attitude. Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality. Must be assertive and have the ability to work independently. These positions are only open to Corrections students. Due to the policy of the Blue Earth County Jail, everyone is required to undergo a background records check.
Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State University, Mankato
Community Engagement Office
CSU 173
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: The Campus Kitchens Project, Mankato is a groundbreaking initiative that involves college students in the recovery of leftover food from campus residence halls to serve meals to families and adults in need. Currently there have been over 4,000 MSU students involved.
Contact: Sammie Eckerson
Phone: 507 389-6076
Fax: 507 389-5632
Email:
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients: You may volunteer for a cooking or delivery shift, plan a food drive, or hold a fundraiser. Let us educate you or your organization about domestic hunger. Help us secure donations.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must complete volunteer training and serve on a cooking or delivery shift, plan a food drive, hold a fundraiser, and/or secure donations. We would be happy to educate you and your organization about domestic hunger.
CADA, INC. (Committee Against Domentic Abuse
100 Stadium Court; Mankato, MN 56001 or
Box 466; Mankato, MN 56002
Mission Statement: To provide safety and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through education, advocacy, and providing shelter.
Contacts: Tammera A. Wachtel, Outreach Manager
Tena Webster, Shelter Manager
Email: ; or
Phone: (507) 625-8688
Fax:
Direct Services and Recipients: Criminal court tracking; Provide support, information, and referrals to battered women and their children residing in a shelter setting.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must pass two background checks; Must submit a ten-dollar ($10.00) payment to complete one of the two required background checks.
Common Good RSVP
816 Hubbell Avenue
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: To engage adults 55+ in fulfilling volunteer opportunities that will enrich their lives and enhance the community.
Contact: Lora Brady, Coordinator
Phone: (507) 387-5586
Fax: (507) 387-5587
Email:
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients: Volunteer and service-learning students can help us with our programs; however, our key goal is to recruit retired individuals (Non-Traditional Students) to volunteer in our community. We do, however, offer internships to students of all ages from many of the departments at MSU.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Students must interview in a semi-formal manner, just as they would if applying for a job. We hire interns based on their willingness to work with others, their level of commitment to the program and the community, and we hold the student accountable for every aspect of their job. Internships are available only based on budgetary availability, as we do have reimbursements for driving that interns do during the internship. Students should contact us to see about that availability.
Dakota Meadows Middle School
1900 Howard Dr
North Mankato, MN 56003
Mission Statement: To educate 7th and 8th grade students at Dakota Meadows Middle School located in North Mankato hilltop.
Contact: Sherri Blasing, Assistant to the Principal
Phone: (507) 387-5077
Fax: (507) 387-1119
Email:
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients:
1 person tutor English Language Learners: 2-3pm Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri
2 people tutor 7th then 8th graders in learning lab: 1:20-3:00 Mon-Fri (1:20-2:00 8th Grade, 2:00-3:00 7th)
3 people tutor 7th and 8th graders in after school study hall: 3-4pm Mon-Thursday
2-3 males and 2-3 females to mentor at risk students (7th and 8th graders) once a week
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must commit for the entire semester and complete a required background check.
Early Childhood and Family Learning (ECFL)
Lincoln Community Center
110 Fulton Street
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: To help pre-school children in literacy so they are prepared for kindergarten.
Contact: Corrinne
Phone: (507) 625-4620
Fax:
Email:
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients: Read to and aid classroom teachers with pre-school students
(qualifying and ESS)
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Background check needed to work in the center.
ECHO Food Shelf
614 North Second Street
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: The Emergency Community Help Organization (ECHO) provides emergency food assistance to households in need in Blue Earth County and North Mankato.
Contact: Deisy DeLeon, Manager and Volunteer Coordinator
Ed Babel, Board Chairman
Carolyn Kanyusik and Barb Manske
Phone: 507 345-7477
Fax: 507 345-7477
Email:
Website:
.
Direct Services and Recipients: Our volunteers fill client food orders, sort donations, stock shelves, and help with general maintenance. Some groups hold food-drives, donate special items (Easter baskets, Christmas gifts for children, etc.)
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: No requirements or restrictions, except that children must be accompanied by an adult.
Elks Nature Center in Rasmussen Woods
110 Fulton St. (Mailing)
555 Rasmussen Woods (Physical Location)
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: To provide awareness, understanding, appreciation, and preservation of Rasmussen Woods and the natural environment.
Contact: Denise Billington-Just, Coordinator
Phone: (507) 387-8585
Fax:
Email:
Website: www.ci.mankato.mn.us/ElksNatureCenter
Direct Services and Recipients: Event implementation, environmental educational activities, planning, center management available to community members of all ages.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Background check needed to work more than 10 hours staffing the center.
Family Literacy
Lincoln Community Center
110 Fulton St.
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: To enable families new to the United States to improve their English proficiency and increase their awareness of school and community processes so that, as students, families and individuals, their educational experience provides a foundation for positive community participation and fulfillment of personal goals.
Contact: Clarice Esslinger, Family Literacy Program Coordinator
Phone: (507) 345-5222
Fax: (507) 387-4770
Email:
Website:
Direct Service and Recipients: Tutoring in reading, writing, math, computer, and other subjects. Organize and participate in recreational activities. Students will be working with ESL students, K-12 grade, and their parents.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must pass background check.
Friends of the Deep Valley Libraries
100 E. Main St.
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: The Friends of the Deep Valley Libraries is a non-profit volunteer organization that has supported libraries in this area since 1977. The Friends provides funds to libraries in Mankato, North Mankato, Lake Crystal and Mapleton; the book mobile; funding for the summer reading program for children, Project Bookshelf (in conjunction with Santa Anonymous), and materials and equipment to enhance reading and learning opportunities.
Contact: Lindsay Mollberg, President
Phone: (507) 625-8155 or (507) 304-4005 (Pages-Past Bookstore)
Fax:
Email:
Website: www.friendsofdeepvalleylibraries.org
Direct Services and Recipients: Passing out books at community events; selling books at used-book annual sales; collecting books for community projects; assisting with special events and projects. Recipients include children and community members.
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must be at least 18 years of age.
Gillette Children’s Specialty Health Care
200 East University Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55101
Mission Statement: Gillette Children’s provides specialty healthcare for people who have short-term or long-term disabilities that began during childhood. We help children, adults, and their families improve their health, achieve greater well-being and enjoy life.
Contact: Lynn Carpentier, Outreach Coordinator
Paula Cronquist, Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: (651) 229-3937 or (651) 325-2319
Fax: (651) 628-4484
Email: or
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients: Coordinate a “Change for Kids” effort with KS95
Organize a fund-raising event (walk-athon, dance-athon, bike-athon, etc.)
Direct volunteering with hospital / clinic
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: To volunteer with patients, participants must pass a background check, have a mantoux, health screening.
Girl Scouts of the Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys
410 East Jackson; Suite 370
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement: Girls Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Contact: Heather Ballman, Membership Specialist
Phone: (507) 625-7474
Fax: (507) 625-7474
Email:
Website:
Direct Services and Recipients:
Assisting or leading Girl Scout troop meetings.
Assisting or leading special initiative groups (Latinas, etc.)
Assisting or leading programs or program development
Assisting with service unit-Mankato area events (lock-ins, etc.)
Requirements and/or Restrictions for Service: Must pass a background check and provide references. Must complete an adult-member registration form / application.