Central Lakes College is committed to holistic mental health, wellness, basic needs, and academic supports to foster student success.
Basic needs include, but are not limited to, food and housing, clothing, childcare, mental health, financial resources, and transportation. At some point in your educational journey you may face challenges in accessing adequate amounts of food, housing, financial, or other resources. This is called basic needs insecurity, and college students across our nation experience it each year. To ensure that the basic needs of all CLC students are met, a list of on-campus resources and those available in our area communities are listed below.
Room E219 in the HUB, Brainerd Campus
Need access to community and social services? Our community partners come to campus several times a month to help you get access to the help that you need.
- Bridges of Hope, resource connection, and referral
- Crow Wing County Community Services, SNAP & health insurance
- Tri-County Community Action Partnership, SNAP
- Lutheran Social Services, energy assistance
Contact Erich Heppner, 218-855-8260, with questions about on-campus availability.
Central Lakes College and Minnesota State have partnered with United Way 211 to establish a statewide basic needs resource hub. The basic needs resource hub provides CLC students access to basic needs resources and support available on campus and in the community via phone, text, or chat 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
United Way 211 provides free and confidential health and human services information. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to connect you with the resources and information you need. If you’re looking for information about services available in your community for you or a loved one, they can help.
Text MNHELP to 898-211(TXT211) or call 211 (toll free at 1-800-543-7709) to speak with one of their highly trained information and referral specialists. Your call is completely confidential, and they have call menus in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Interpreters are also available for any language.
Visit the 211 website to learn more or to explore resources and support that may be available.
To search the 211 database of basic needs resources online, please visit the student basic needs website.
Mission statement: Central Lakes College Mental Health Center practices holistic and person-centered approach to supporting mental health.
Mental Health Services
All on-campus mental health services are free to current students.
Individual Therapy
Amanda Mithun, LMFT Lakewood Health System
- Brainerd & Staples Campuses as well as virtual appointments available.
- Brainerd Campus Room E 219, Tuesdays & Thursdays 11-4p
- Staples Campus Room F121, Wednesdays 12-4p
College Social Worker
Kellee Rossina, LSW
- In-person & virtual appointments available
- Brainerd Campus E 204
Mental Health Guides
Mental Health Guides have received mental health training and provide peer-to-peer to students. Contact Kellee to be connected with a peer support.
Therapy or mental health skills?
Mental health skills focus on the present. What is currently happening and how to address it. Therapy focuses on patterns of behavior.
Mantra Health
Free online mental health and wellness support for students.
Exceptions to Confidentiality
All information shared with mental health staff is confidential. Essentially, the conversations you have are private. The exceptions to this policy are voicing a desire to hurt yourself or someone else, if you report suspected abuse or neglect of a minor (anyone under age 18) or a vulnerable adult, professional consultation, or court ordered request for records.
Reflection Room
The Reflection Room is a quiet, private space accessible to all students looking for a calm location to take a break, pray, or relax for a little while.
- Brainerd C232, in the Cube
- Staples B251, upstairs near Nursing Classrooms
Community & Online Resources
Crisis Line & Referral Service, 24-hour help serving Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena Counties. 218-828-HELP (4357) or 800-462-5525
Warm Line, peer-to-peer support, 5p-9a 7 days per, 365 days per year.
- 844-739-6369 to speak with a peer
- 855-244-5050 to speak specifically with an African American peer
Mental Health Urgent Care, 10a-7p 7 days per week/365 days per year, 823 Maple Street, Brainerd. Phone 218-454-8001
National Suicide Prevention Hotline 988
Steve Fund, text STEVE to 741741 to access a culturally trained crisis counselor
Crisis text line, text MN to 741741
Call 800-950-6264 or text “helpline” to 62640 for support.
Here to Help, mental health and substance use information and screening tools.
Our mission is to eliminate hunger at Central Lakes College by providing students in need with programs that provide food, promote the value of nutrition, increase self-sufficiency, and enable higher levels of academic performance.
Food Pantry Locations
Brainerd Campus: HUB Student Needs Center – Room E205
Staples Campus: Veterans Center – Room A164
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday 8AM – 9PM
Open to all CLC students
Donations
We are proud that our CLC Food Pantry distributed approximately 85,000 lbs. of food last year. Sadly, the need continues to exceed our ability to keep up. You can make a difference in the lives of our students by donating to the CLC Food Pantry. Your gift is 100% tax-deductible, and every dollar donated allows us to purchase up to four meals through Second Harvest Northland Food Bank for our students!
Donate to the CLC Food Pantry or mail a check to 501 W. College Dr. Brainerd, MN 56401 Attn: Erich Heppner
Non-perishable food and personal hygiene items may be donated directly to either CLC Food Pantry location.
Suggested items for donations include:
- Canned Meat and Meals (Tuna, Chicken, Stews, Soup, Ravioli, etc.)
- Canned Vegetables and Fruits
- Peanut Butter
- Boxed Meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni, Mac & Cheese, etc.)
- Baking Ingredients (Flour, Sugar, Bisquick, Oil, etc.)
- Household Items (Hand soap, Kleenex, Laundry soap, etc.)
- Personal Care Items (Deodorant, Shampoo, Toothpaste, etc.)
- Plates, silverware, can openers, serving spoons, etc.
Delivery
Can’t access the pantry? We deliver to your doorstep within a 30-mile radius of our campuses!
Call or text Erich at (952) 807-3279 to schedule a delivery.
CLC Giving Garden
Located in the Brainerd Campus East Courtyard. CLC Students are invited to pick the vegetables when they are ready. Please see the staff in the HUB for any questions.
Emergency Assistance
Do you have needs beyond food? We can provide a gift card for small emergencies such as transportation, clothing, temporary housing, etc. Fill out this form, and we will do our best to meet the need. Emergency Assistance Form
SNAP (Food Stamps)
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federal food assistance program that provides monthly benefits to help individuals and families pay for groceries. SNAP is also sometimes referred to as food stamps or EBT.
The Food Helper website helps you determine if you qualify for SNAP and connect with a specialist to help you apply to SNAP. Apply here
If you need help figuring out if you qualify for and applying to SNAP, you can stop by the Community Resource Office (E219) to visit with a SNAP Enrollment Specialist or Contact Tri-County Community Action Partnership (TCCAP) at (320) 232-7850.
Community Food Distributions – Open to anyone that eats
Brainerd Campus – Second Harvest Northland Food Bank
Normally the first Thursday of each month at 10am in the Brainerd Campus West Parking Lot. For more details visit
Staples Campus – Ruby’s Pantry
Every first Tuesday of the month
For more details visit
Want to volunteer at a food distribution? Email Erich at erich.heppner@clcmn.edu
WeARE The Clinic & WeARE@CLC
Connect with WeARE staff for support, resources, and connection to mental health services. WeARE is welcoming of LGBTQ+ clients. Visit their website for information on local support groups. https://www.wearebrainerd.org/
WeARE@CLC room E204-B 10a-4p Monday-Thursday
Call 218-454-1546 or text 218-838-6280
WeARE The Clinic, 615 Oak St, Brainerd, appointments available Mon, Tues, and Thurs 12-5:30p appointments may be scheduled on the website or by calling 218-454-1546
Questions? Text 218-838-6280
Health Insurance
MNSure, access the website to review eligibility and choose healthcare coverage MNsure – Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace / MNsure or call the contact center at 651-539-2099 or 855-366-7873
Project Care, community health initiative designed to help enroll low-income families in affordable health coverage Project Care – Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
The Bridge on 7th Warming Shelter, 1926 S 7th St, Brainerd. The shelter is open to anyone aged 18-plus. Open 7p-8a daily, walk-ins welcome 7p-11p. (Open only during colder months.) More details here.
Open Arms Community Center, open to the community providing a variety of support services and resource connection including housing, employment, and peer support.
Monday-Friday 7:45a-7:45p and Saturday & Sunday 8a-5p
8055 Industrial Park Rd, Baxter or call 218-673-7891
Home 2023 – Lighthouse Beginnings
Crow Wing County Community Services, 204 Laurel St, Brainerd. Meet with a housing resource specialist by appointment at 218-824-1140 or walk in.
Todd County Health and Human Services, Staples location 200 1st NE Ste 1 or call 218-894-6300. Long Prairie location 212 2nd Ave S or call 320-732-4500
Wadena County Human Services, 124 1st St SE or call 218-631-7605
Crow Wing County Transit, see the website for schedule and fare information.
Friendly Rider (Wadena & Todd Counties) visit the website for schedule and fare information.
Grab-A-Cab 218-270-2992
Brainerd Area Taxi 218-828-1111
Elite Taxi 320-240-2999
Child Care Assistance helps families pay for childcare so parents may pursue education and/or employment. Apply at
Postsecondary Child Care Grant Application, contact Becky Davis at 218-855-8020 or rebecca.davis@clcmn.edu
Parent Aware is a free online resource to assist with locating childcare and early education programs.
Annie’s Child Care and Learning Center at the CLC Brainerd Campus, 218-829-9228
Magic Forest Childcare Center & Preschool, 1411 8th St NE, Staples, 218-895-5330
CLC Random Acts of Kindness Fund (Student Support Fund), one-time financial support available to eligible CLC students. For additional information on eligibility and how to apply go to
Food Pantry application for funding, available to CLC students experiencing a need beyond food. This fund may assist with small emergencies such as transportation, clothing, temporary housing, etc. Use the link to complete the application. CLC Food Pantry Emergency Request Form
Findhelp.org, connects you to local resources to assist with a variety of needs.
Lutheran Social Services (LSS), 716 E St NE, Brainerd, 218-828-7379. LSS provides a number of services including housing resources, rental support, energy assistance, and financial counseling.
Salvation Army, 208 S 5th St, Brainerd, 218-829-1120. Salvation Army provides rent, mortgage, and utility assistance, transportation assistance, household goods and clothing, and food shelf.
Tri-County Community Action Partnership (TCC), offers a number of support and financial programs. Use the link for additional information.
Affordable Connectivity Program helps low-income households pay for broadband service and internet-connected devices. Use the link for eligibility information and to apply.
