Need help?
Area AA meetings:
- Mondays at 7pm at Crosslake Lutheran Church (35960 County Road 66) in Crosslake
- An open AA meeting takes place on Tuesdays at 7pm at The Log Church in Crosslake
- An open AA meeting takes place on Thursdays at 7pm at Immaculate Heart Church in Crosslake (35208 County Road 37, Crosslake) Call Joe at 612-801-5688 for meeting details.
Open meetings are welcome for Al-Anon members as well. Al-Anon also meets at Immaculate Heart on Thursdays at noon.
CALIX:
Do you or a family member or friend need to learn about resources to help with an addiction concern? Or you just need someone to talk with? You can reach out to a member of CALIX. Help is one call away. CALIX is an association of Catholics in addiction, and family members and friends affected by addiction, who are maintaining their sobriety through participation in their Catholic Faith and a 12 step program. On a confidential basis, you can call 612-383-8232 (Jim R.) or 651-587-4668 (Jim B.). You do not need to disclose your name. Information and recovery support can be provided. You can also receive information about meetings that support those in recovery. You can also visit the CALIX website: https://www.calixsociety.org/
Crisis Line And Referral Service:
The area Crisis Line provides confidential and anonymous telephone support to people in distress and crisis, and to serve as a lifeline for positive change by connecting our clients to area resources and to give support and encouragement.
They serve the areas of Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison and Todd Counties.
If you are in need of help, please call 218-828-HELP (4357) or 1-800-462-5525
Relationship Safety Alliance (women's shelter):
- The Relationship Safety Alliance of Brainerd offers a 24-hour emergency shelter for individuals experiencing domestic violence. They are child and pet friendly.
- They also offers services through their Alex and Brandon Child Safety Center for safe, neutral, child-oriented supervised visitations and safe exchanges for families.
- Every week their trained staff facilitate free community support groups.
- If you are a man in an abusive, domestic relationship: Please call the shelter at 218-828-1216. They can help direct you to resources to help you safely leave your situation. The RSA cannot house men and women in the same building, but there are other places that CAN help you.
For more information on their services (or how to donate much-needed items and opportunities to volunteer), visit their website: https://www.relationshipsafety.org/
Emily Food Shelf:
The Emily Food Shelf is located at 20948 County Road 1 in Emily. They are open every Tuesday from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm and every second Tuesday for an addition time of 4:00 pm-6:00 pm. For additional assistance, you can call 218-763-3663 or visit their website: https://www.emilyfoodshelf.com/
Ruby's Pantry:
Ruby's Pantry offers Pop-up Pantries at different locations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. To find the nearest location to you, visit their website: https://www.rubyspantry.org/
Bridges of Hope:
Bridges of Hope, operating out of Brainerd, offers support in different ways to the Lakes Area community.
- They support Bridges on 7th, an overnight shelter for those in need during the colder months, beginning in the fall. The shelter is located at 1926 S 7th St., Brainerd. You can learn more about the shelter by clicking: https://www.bridgesofhopemn.org/warmingshelter
- They also offer a summer sandwich program for children who do not have the guarantee of school lunches during the summer months. This program is offered at different locations throughout the area. Information is available at: https://www.bridgesofhopemn.org/operation-sandwich
- They offer a program during Thanksgiving time to sponsor Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. You can sign-up to give or receive: https://www.bridgesofhopemn.org/thanksgiving-basket-program
They are supported through monetary donations and also through money made by those who patronize one of their Common Goods thrift stores (located in Baxter, Crosby, or Crosslake). For information on how to donate, visit: https://www.bridgesofhopemn.org/donate
For Common Goods locations and store hours (you may also make donations of goods to their thrift stores. Please see the guidelines for what is accepted and when):
Rachel's Vineyard:
Rachel's Vineyard weekends for healing after abortion are offered throughout the year in locations across the United States and Canada, with additional sites around the world. Rachel’s Vineyard is a ministry of Priests for Life.
The program is an opportunity to examine your abortion experience, identify the ways that the loss has impacted you in the past and present, and helps to acknowledge any unresolved feelings that many individuals struggle with after abortion. Because of the emotional numbness and secrecy that often surrounds an abortion experience, conflicting emotions both during and after the event may remain unresolved. These buried feelings can surface later and may be symptoms of post abortion trauma.
Married couples, mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings of aborted children, as well as persons who have been involved in the abortion industry have come to Rachel's Vineyard in search of peace and inner healing. The weekend is a lot of work but yields a fruitful harvest for all who are willing to labor there.
For more information, along with a list of retreats, visit: https://www.rachelsvineyard.org/