Patch Picks: Five Local Non-Profits Making a Difference

There’s no shortage of non-profits in Inver Grove Heights who are making a difference. They serve the area's most vulnerable citizens, its young and its old, the sick and the needy. Several are school- or church-based. Some are run exclusively by their members, while others are actively seeking volunteers to help them in their missions.

Climb Theatre
The nationally-recognized and highly-regarded Climb Theatre is able to simultaneously teach valuable life lessons while completely entertaining its young audiences. Climb Theatre produces original plays and classes for students of all ages on topics such as bullying, respect, friendship, acceptance of differences, substance abuse prevention, responsibility, the environment and social skills.

In the last school year, Climb reached nearly 180,000 students and their teachers.

CLIMB Inc.
6415 Carmen Ave. E.,
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
Phone: 651-453-9275

Sheriffs Youth Program
The Sheriffs Youth Program is a non-profit organization working with male and female at-risk youth who are in need of support services. Its services and facilities include residential group homes, professional family foster homes, transitional living, therapeutic counseling, emergency shelters, life skills instruction, the Rum River Educational Equestrian Farm and summer camping.

For more than 25 years, Sheriff's Youth Programs have offered a summer camp at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.  In 2009, the programs began offering a day camp at Rum River Equestrian Farm in Princeton. Campers range from beginner to advanced game riders. Campers learn the basics of horse care and riding, and put together a show event for their final day at camp.

Sheriffs Youth Programs of MN
2925 Buckley Way
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota 55076
Phone: 612-552-5744

Town Square Television
Want to watch a Simley High School girls hockey game, see election local coverage, a parade or a graduation? Town Square Television has you covered. Town Square Television is a non-profit corporation that serves as the local public access station for the cities of Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and West St. Paul. Individuals and organizations make use of a state-of-the-art video production facility. Governed by an 11-member board of directors, it is operated by a staff of 15 full and part time employees, and assisted by members, volunteers and sponsors.

Town Square Television
5845 Blaine Avenue
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota 55076
Phone: 612-451-7834

Destination Imagination
The mission of the local Inver Grove Heights non-profit is to support the Minnesota Destination Imagination program. Through financial and volunteer support they  help give children an opportunity to develop the skills and confidence to succeed in a very challenging world. With that goal in mind, they strive to provide a quality program to motivate and challenge each student, while providing an environment that is fun for each.

Destination Imagination is an innovative educational program that invites student teams from all over the world to solve mind-bending Challenges. It is designed to teach three essential skills: teamwork, creativity and problem solving. The local Destination Imagination program is run through ISD 199.

Erin Boltik
ISD Destination Imagination Coordinator
2990 80th St. E.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
Phone: 651-306-7238

Neighbors
Neighbors is a non-profit, social-service agency serving the northern Dakota County communities of Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake and Lilydale. Working primarily through the services of more than 530 volunteers and 31 faith communities, Neighbors provides 14 emergency assistance and supportive assistance programs. Neighbors was established by local churches in 1972. In 2007, approximately 15,000 people were served and volunteer hours reached 22,300. Eight Inver Grove Heights churches are partner members of Neighbors Inc.

Neighbors
218 13th Avenue South
South Saint Paul, MN 55075
Phone: 651-455-1508