About the Edina Resource Center

The Edina Resource Center is your connection to community information, resources and services. The resource center offers "one-stop” shopping for the right piece of information, service provider or community support, as well as follow-up to insure the right services were provided.

The Edina Resource Center is a collaborative effort between Edina Public Schools, the City of Edina and the local community.

The Edina Resource Center concept began in 1994, when superintendents and city managers from the four South Hennepin communities of Edina, Eden Prairie, Bloomington and Richfield began discussing gaps in services for families.  The group formed a Family Services Collaborative as a response to new legislation and a funding stream that encouraged collaboration of cities, schools, county and public health.  South Hennepin did a feasibility study and conducted “grassroots” focus groups in an effort to discern the needs of the community by asking the community members themselves.

As a result of the study, community resource centers were formed.  Their purpose was to initiate an innovative, collaboration of city, school, county, public health, private agencies, health professionals and citizens to connect families and individuals – at the local level – to the services and supports they need.  

At a time when the need for integrated and effective services has never been greater, families, individuals, service providers and school and city professionals report frustration finding and accessing needed services. The purpose of the Edina Resource Center is not to duplicate services, but to assure that families have the information they need to make the connections to the services they need simply and effectively.

What makes the Edina Resource Center unique:

• Strength-based approach to individuals and families
• Agency and partner donated staff
• A comprehensive combination of information, services and supports – both formal and informal

How does the Edina Resource Center make a difference:

• By offering assistance to families early, thereby preventing a more acute issue
• By combining resources from different agencies, complimenting those services with community and family informal supports
• By providing free, confidential and respectful access to services for families when they need them