United Way 211
Trained specialists who can find almost any kind of help near you, from rent and food to counseling. Call, text or search online.
You don't have to say yes to getting help right now.Just say maybe.
Maybe there's someone, right here in our community, who could change your life forever.
A free directory of crisis lines, mental health care, addiction recovery, family support, food, housing and faith-based help across the Brainerd Lakes Area, from Brainerd and Baxter to Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Crosslake and Crosby.
What's going on?
If someone could get hurt right now, call 911. For a mental health emergency, the Lakes Area crisis line can send a mobile team to you: 218-828-4357, any hour.
Not sure where to start
One call and someone helps you figure out what fits.
Bridges of Hope, Resource Connection
A local person who walks you through a short-term crisis like rent, utilities, food or kids' needs and connects you to the right programs in the right order. Intake by phone takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Crow Wing County Community Services
The county front door for cash, food and medical assistance, child and adult mental health case management, child care help and referrals. Ask for intake.
Lakes Area United Way
The local United Way, which funds area programs and runs the Imagination Library and a prescription discount card.
Crow Wing County Resource Guide
The county's printable list of local services, revised September 2025.
Crisis lines, 24/7
Free, confidential, any hour.
Crisis Line & Referral Service
The local 24/7 line for anyone in distress or worried about someone. They can talk, do a suicide assessment as long as you know the person's location, and send the mobile crisis team.
Mobile Crisis Response (kids and adults)
Mental health professionals who come to your home or wherever you are during a mental health emergency, for any age. Reach them through the Crisis Line.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
National 24/7 line for suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or worry about someone else. Call, text or chat.
Crisis Text Line
24/7 text support with a trained counselor for stress, bullying, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Text MN to 741741WebsiteVisit site
The Trevor Project
24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people by phone, text or chat.
Minnesota Peer Support Warmline
For when you're lonely, anxious or need to talk but it isn't an emergency. You'll talk with someone who has lived experience.
Mental Health Minnesota Warmline
Peer-to-peer support line for mental health recovery and wellness.
Sexual Assault Services 24-hour line
Free, confidential support for anyone affected by sexual violence, any hour.
Relationship Safety Alliance 24/7 line
Local domestic violence help line, shelter and safety planning (formerly Mid-Minnesota Women's Center).
LSS Youth Crisis Line
24/7 line for young people thinking about running away, who have run away or who don't have a safe place to stay.
Mental health care
Therapy, psychiatry and walk-in help for kids and adults.
Northern Pines Mental Health Center
Nonprofit community mental health center for kids and adults: therapy, psychiatry, DBT, in-home skills, case management and peer specialists.
Northern Pines Mental Health Urgent Care
Walk-in help when you're in a mental health crisis, or supporting someone who is. You'll leave with an assessment and a plan.
Northern Pines child & youth services
Mental health care for kids from birth through 17, including child psychiatry, play therapy, DBT and in-home family therapy.
Therapy inside Brainerd schools (Northern Pines)
Therapists and skills workers based in every Brainerd school building. Ask your child's school counselor for a referral, or use the Child Online Referral at npmh.org.
Sagent Behavioral Health, Baxter
Counseling for kids, families and couples, psychiatry and medication management, testing, school-based therapy and a Mother-Baby program (formerly Nystrom & Associates).
Lakeview Behavioral Health
Therapy, psychiatry and substance use treatment, including medication-assisted treatment and intensive outpatient, for kids, teens and adults.
Essentia Health Baxter outpatient counseling
Outpatient mental health counseling.
Essentia Health Lakeland Psychiatry
Psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
Lutheran Social Service counseling, Brainerd
Counseling and therapy, including intensive in-home treatment for families with kids in crisis.
Crow Wing County children's mental health
County case managers for kids with serious emotional or mental health needs. They coordinate between school, treatment and other providers.
Crow Wing County adult mental health
Case management and assessment for adults living with serious mental illness. Call and ask for Mental Health Intake.
Sourcewell Collaborative Service Team
Free team that works with Crow Wing kids up to 18 and their families on skills, crisis help and connecting school and community services.
NAMI North Central Region
Local NAMI affiliate offering free classes and support groups for people living with mental illness and their families.
NAMI Minnesota
Statewide free support groups and classes for adults, parents and families.
National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline
Free helpline staffed by licensed eating disorder therapists who help you find care.
Postpartum Support International HelpLine
Support for anxiety, depression or feeling overwhelmed during pregnancy or after a baby, in English and Spanish. Not for emergencies.
Suicide prevention, grief & loss
Prevention, peer support and groups for people who are grieving.
Smiles for Jake
Brainerd suicide prevention nonprofit founded after Jake Haapajoki's death in 2018. Runs the Smiles Club for middle schoolers, S.M.I.L.E. advocate training and community events.
Jacob's Voice
Cyberbullying prevention resources and training, started after Jacob Borgstrom of Pillager died in 2023.
Brainerd Yellow Ribbon (Youth for Christ & Timber Bay)
Suicide prevention presentations for schools, churches and community groups.
SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education)
Minnesota-founded nonprofit with prevention education and resources for people who have lost someone to suicide. Not a crisis line.
Crow Wing Energized, mental fitness
Community wellness movement with Essentia Health offering Make It OK stigma talks, resiliency tools, a free monthly Mental Fitness group and the Crow Wing Mental Health Alliance.
Brainerd Lakes Area Suicide Loss Survivor Group
Peer-led group for people who have lost someone to suicide, meeting the first Tuesday of the month, 7–8:30 p.m. Reach out before your first visit to confirm.
Essentia Health grief support
Free seven-week adult grief group offered three times a year, plus grief referrals for the Lakes Area.
Kids, teens & school
Youth programs, safe places and help inside the schools.
Brainerd Family YMCA
Youth sports, swim lessons, after-school care, summer camp and child care. The Y now runs the former Kinship Partners lunchtime school mentoring. Ask about financial help.
TheShop (Brainerd Baxter Youth Center)
Free drop-in for teens and young adults with meals, a food shelf, clothing, tutoring, workshops and RainbowRoad, an LGBTQ+ youth group.
Brainerd Area Youth for Christ & The Junction
Christian youth ministry with an after-school drop-in for middle and high schoolers, mentoring and tutoring.
Brainerd Community Education
Youth classes, enrichment, rec sports and Fun & Friends school-age care.
Crosby-Ironton Community Education
Summer and youth programs for the Crosby-Ironton area.
Brainerd Public Library
Free storytime for ages 2–8, reading to a therapy dog, computers, printing and a warm place to be.
Crow Wing County 4-H
Hands-on clubs and projects for kindergarten through one year after high school, with scholarships available.
LSS Journey transitional living
Housing and life-skills support for homeless youth 16–21 and young moms.
LSS Youth Resiliency
Support to help kids handle challenges at home and school.
ISD 181 homeless liaison
Helps students without stable housing, including doubled up, in a motel or on their own, stay in school with transportation and support.
Brainerd High School Student Success Center
Counselors for school struggles, college and career planning, credit recovery and scholarships.
ISD 181 meal benefits application
Meals are free for every student, and the application still matters: it unlocks 50–75% off athletic fees, free ACT/SAT and discounts on child care, the YMCA and internet.
Brainerd Online School
Online high school classes for Minnesota high schoolers.
Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project
Diversion and repair-of-harm programs for youth and adults, plus restorative practices in schools. Self-referrals welcome.
Parenting & family
Support from pregnancy through the teen years.
Help Me Grow MN
Worried about how your baby or young child is developing? Anyone can refer a child from birth to 5 for a free screening.
Brainerd Early Childhood (ECFE, screening, preschool)
Parent-child classes, early childhood screening, special education and preschool from birth to kindergarten.
Head Start (Tri-County Community Action)
Free preschool for ages 3–5 from income-eligible families, with health, dental and family support.
Parent Aware
Free help finding child care and early learning programs, with quality ratings and help paying.
Crow Wing County Child Care Assistance
Helps income-eligible families pay for child care for kids from birth to 12.
Family Home Visiting (Public Health)
Public health nurses visit at home during pregnancy and after birth to help with feeding, baby's growth, parent mental health and development.
Crow Wing County WIC
Healthy foods, nutrition and breastfeeding help for pregnant and new moms and kids under 5.
Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center
Faith-based center with free pregnancy tests, parenting and fathers' sessions and baby supplies. It does not refer for abortion or birth control.
Circle of Parents support group
Free peer support group for parents.
Family Voices of Minnesota
Parent navigators for families raising kids with disabilities or chronic health conditions.
PACER Center
Help for parents of kids with disabilities, especially with school and special education.
Drinking, drugs & recovery
Assessments, treatment, recovery meetings and prevention.
Crow Wing County chemical dependency services
Chemical health assessments and help paying for treatment if you're uninsured or were denied coverage. Ask for chemical dependency intake.
Essentia Health St. Joseph's substance use program
Inpatient and outpatient treatment with peer recovery support and family involvement. Call to schedule an assessment.
Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, Brainerd
Residential treatment for men and outpatient for men and women, with same-day assessments and optional faith-based programming.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Free peer recovery meetings, with about 15 a week in Brainerd. Use the Meeting Guide app or the AA Minnesota site to find one.
Narcotics Anonymous
Free peer recovery meetings for drug addiction.
Al-Anon (Serenity group)
Support for families and friends of someone who drinks. The Serenity group meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
BLADE Coalition (Brainerd Lakes Area Drug Education)
County-led coalition of police, courts, schools and treatment providers working to reduce youth substance use. Hosts drug take-back days.
Know the Truth
Peer-to-peer substance use prevention presentations in middle and high schools, now run by the Minnesota Prevention & Recovery Alliance.
Abuse, assault & safety
Domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and reporting abuse.
Relationship Safety Alliance
Domestic violence shelter, safety planning, help with protection orders and the Alex & Brandon Child Safety Center. Formerly Mid-Minnesota Women's Center.
Day One crisis line
Statewide domestic violence line that can find shelter anywhere in Minnesota.
Sexual Assault Services
24-hour support, advocacy, counseling and support groups for survivors of sexual violence and the people who love them.
Report child abuse or neglect
Crow Wing County Child Protection. Weekdays, ask for Child Protection Intake. After hours, call the Sheriff. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Report abuse of a vulnerable adult (MAARC)
24/7 statewide line to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
Crow Wing County Attorney victim services
Help for crime victims with court support, restraining orders and restitution.
Central MN Regional Navigator (sex trafficking help)
Main contact for sexually exploited youth and young adults, connecting them to housing, health care and legal help.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential help and reporting.
Food
Food shelves, free meals and food benefits.
Salvation Army Brainerd Lakes food shelf
Emergency groceries for about three days, plus bread and produce when available, once every 30 days. Bring ID and a piece of mail.
Lakes Area Food Shelf, Pequot Lakes
Pick-your-own food shelf with groceries, personal care items and clothing. No paperwork needed.
Lakes Area Food Shelf, Baxter
The newer Baxter location of the same pick-your-own food shelf, with 20-minute shopping appointments.
Cuyuna Range Food Shelf
Emergency food for Crosby, Ironton, Deerwood, Riverton, Cuyuna and Trommald.
Blessing Food Shelf (First Baptist Baxter)
Church food shelf open to the public twice a month.
Crosslake Food Shelf
Food shelf for Crosslake, Fifty Lakes, Swanburg and Ideal.
Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen
Free hot meal for anyone, six evenings a week plus Sunday lunch. No questions asked.
Second Harvest Northland mobile pantry
Drive-up food giveaway at Central Lakes College, open to anyone. Call to confirm the schedule.
Operation Sandwich (Bridges of Hope)
A week of lunch groceries for kids during summer and school breaks.
SNAP food benefits
Monthly grocery money on a card for income-eligible households. Apply online at MNbenefits or through the county.
Ruby's Pantry, Brainerd
Pop-up food distribution for a donation per share, with no income rules.
Central Lakes College student food pantry
Food and emergency help for CLC students.
LSS Meals at The Brainerd Center
Lunches for adults 60+ and their spouses. Order by 12:30 the day before.
Housing, shelter & utilities
A place to sleep tonight, rent help and heating bills.
The Bridge on 7th overnight shelter
A safe place to sleep for adults without housing, with coffee and snacks and help finding next steps. Now open year-round.
Salvation Army emergency lodging and aid
Up to two nights of lodging, gas or bus cards, and rent help with a referral. Help is in person only.
Central MN Coordinated Entry
The single line for getting on housing lists if you're homeless or about to be.
Brainerd HRA
Public housing and Section 8 rent vouchers. Call to check the waitlist.
Tri-County Community Action (Tri-CAP)
Emergency financial help, Head Start, weatherization, help signing up for MNsure and SNAP, and free tax prep.
Energy Assistance (LSS)
Help paying heating bills and fixing a broken furnace, for renters and homeowners.
Weatherization Assistance (Tri-CAP)
Free insulation and furnace or water heater repairs to lower energy bills.
Salvation Army HeatShare
Emergency help paying a heating or electric bill while funds last.
Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity
Helps families buy a home with an affordable mortgage in exchange for volunteer hours.
Health & dental
Insurance, clinics, dental care and reproductive health.
MNsure
Minnesota's health insurance marketplace and the place to get help paying premiums. Free in-person help is available.
Medical Assistance through Crow Wing County
Minnesota Medicaid for income-eligible residents, applied for through the county.
Crow Wing County Public Health
Disease prevention, immunization help and Child & Teen Checkups for kids on Medical Assistance.
Essentia Health Baxter Clinic, pediatrics
Pediatric and family clinic.
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center clinics
Family medicine including pediatrics and well-child visits in Crosby and Baxter.
WeARE The Clinic
Sexual and reproductive health for teens and adults, including birth control, STI testing and pregnancy tests. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
Call218-454-1546Text 218-838-6280 for appointments
K.O.A.L.A. Children's Dental Care
Kids' dentist for ages 8 and under that accepts most Medical Assistance plans.
Find a dentist that takes Medical Assistance
State line that gives you a list of dentists accepting Minnesota public health plans.
American Cancer Society
24/7 cancer helpline for information, rides to treatment and lodging referrals.
Essentia Health St. Joseph's oncology
Cancer care in Brainerd.
Legal help & money
Free legal aid, tenant rights, taxes and budgeting.
Justice North (legal aid)
Free civil legal help for people with low income, such as housing, family and benefits. Formerly Legal Aid Service of Northeastern MN.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, senior law
Free legal help for Crow Wing County residents 60 and older.
HOME Line tenant hotline
Free legal advice for any Minnesota renter on repairs, evictions and deposits.
LawHelpMN
Plain-language legal guides and a directory of free legal help.
Minnesota Disability Law Center
Free legal help on disability rights.
Free tax preparation
Free tax filing help each season for low and moderate incomes. Use the state site finder for current local sites.
LSS Financial Counseling
Help with budgets, debt, credit reports and student loans.
Faith-based support
Church-run recovery, grief, divorce and care ministries.
Celebrate Recovery at Heritage Church
Christian 12-step program for hurts, habits and hang-ups, Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
GriefShare at Heritage Church
13-week grief recovery group, Tuesdays 6–8 p.m. through Dec 1, 2026, plus a Surviving the Holidays session.
DivorceCare (Heritage Church at CLC)
Support group for people going through separation or divorce, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Timberwood Church care ministries
Free one-on-one Stephen Ministry care for grief, illness and life changes, plus holiday GriefShare and DivorceCare sessions.
Salvation Army Brainerd Lakes
Worship center plus emergency help with rent, gas, clothing, utility bills, shelter and food.
Lakewood Evangelical Free Church
Baxter church with community groups and kids' programming.
Heritage Church
Large Baxter church that hosts Celebrate Recovery, GriefShare and DivorceCare.
Brainerd Lakes Area Catholic Churches
Shared office for St. Francis, St. Andrew's, All Saints, St. Mathias and St. Thomas parishes.
Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church
Small congregation with Wednesday youth group.
Breath of Life Adult Day Service
Christian adult day program, often for people with dementia, so family caregivers get a break. Includes rides within 20 miles.
Seniors, disability & caregivers
Help for older adults, people with disabilities and those caring for them.
Minnesota Aging Pathways
Free help with Medicare, in-home help, caregiving and long-term care (formerly Senior LinkAge Line).
Disability Hub MN
Free help for people with disabilities to solve problems and plan ahead.
The Brainerd Center
Senior center with activities, classes, a free daily check-in phone call and the meal site.
LSS Caregiver Support & Respite
Coaching, classes, peer groups and short breaks for family caregivers.
Alzheimer's Association helpline
24/7 support for dementia caregivers, with local in-person caregiver groups in Brainerd and Crosby.
Veterans
Benefits, health care and connection.
Crow Wing County Veterans Service Office
Helps veterans and families apply for disability, pension, education, home loan, burial and health care benefits.
Brainerd VA Clinic
VA outpatient clinic.
MN LinkVet
Statewide one-stop help line for Minnesota veterans and families. Veterans in crisis can also call 988 and press 1.
Jobs, rides & learning
Job help, public transit, GED and English classes.
Brainerd & Crow Wing Public Transit
Dial-a-Ride in Brainerd and Baxter plus daily routes to Crosby and Pequot Lakes. Book ahead or use the app.
CareerForce Brainerd
Free job search help, career counseling and job training. Walk in or call.
Brainerd Adult Education
GED prep, English classes, citizenship prep and basic math and computer skills.
Literacy Minnesota hotline
Statewide referral line for English, GED and citizenship classes.
Community & prevention
Local coalitions, police non-emergency lines and the groups working on prevention.
Brainerd Police Department
City police. Use this line for non-emergencies and call 911 for emergencies.
Baxter Police Department
City police. Use this line for non-emergencies and call 911 for emergencies.
Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office
County sheriff. Also the after-hours line for child protection concerns. Call 911 for emergencies.
Crow Wing County Attorney's Office
Prosecution, protective orders, victim and witness support and juvenile diversion.
Sourcewell
Regional service cooperative that funds and staffs programs like the Collaborative Service Team.
Family Services Collaborative of the Lakes Area
Network of schools, agencies and community groups supporting kids from birth through high school in the Brainerd, Crosby-Ironton and Pequot Lakes districts.
Things happening around the lakes
Support groups, family nights, free community events and more from Brainerd to Crosslake. Times and details can change, so check the link before you go.