Dear Friends,

As the year comes to an end, I want to extend my best wishes for the holiday season and reflect on our progress during the past year. I thank each of you for your unwavering support and trust in our work. Your resolve and commitment helped to make FamilyMeans a more resilient and impactful community organization in 2024.

While much has been achieved this past year, I would like to highlight a few initiatives that are making a difference to those we serve.

In our Counseling & Therapy program we are beginning to see the impact of an initiative to better recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our mental health clinicians. As a result, for the first time in over a decade, we are fully staffed and are serving more people in need within our community.

In our Financial Solutions program, we implemented new methods to enhance our communication with clients. This client-centered approach has not only streamlined our scheduling process but also allowed us to better meet clients’ needs and help more individuals and families through Budget & Debt Counseling and Debt Management services.

Lastly, our Caregiving & Aging and Youth Development programs partnered on an initiative called the Healthy Aging Community-Learning Project. The project focus was to hear community voices about experiences with or as an older adult as well as any barriers or needs to improve the aging experience. Youth researchers from each community collected resident input to teach us about the strengths and needs of people in Cimarron and Landfall. 

As we embark on 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthen communities by helping individuals and families through challenges in all life stages. We could not do this work without you. Please consider making an end-of-year contribution to FamilyMeans.

On behalf of our team, I wish you a Happy New Year.

Best Regards,

Jim Kroening
President & CEO

Support FamilyMeans by making an end-of-year donation!

Individual contributions allow us to continue to provide essential programming to individuals in our community no matter their ability to pay. Gifts of any size are appreciated and critical in helping our programming continue to thrive. 

Secure online donations can be made using the donate button below. 

Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the FamilyMeans Stillwater Office at 1875 Northwestern Ave. S., Stillwater, MN 55082. 

Questions about making a contribution? Please connect with Melena Nord at 651-789-4029 or mnord@familymeans.org.

We need your help to continue our important work!

There are 53 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S

Caregivers often work full or part-time while also being there for a friend or loved one. This can lead to increased stress and burnout. FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging offers support groups, respite options, and counseling to maintain a healthy balance.

Pictured above is a group from our Community Connection Program at Belwin Conservancy. Connecting individuals with memory loss to the community.

49% of adolescents have had a mental illness at some point

FamilyMeans Counseling & Therapy provides crucial services to children and adolescents across 3 different school districts and 16 schools. Our clinicians both in schools and at our clinics in Stillwater and Hudson are seeing more and more youth everyday.

Pictured above is therapists Leah Scribner and Moe Sanderson leading a group at the You R You retreat hosted by our local United Way.

The total credit card debt in the U.S has reached $1.14 trillion

This high amount is due to rising costs of living, reliance on credit cards to make ends meet, and falling behind on payments. FamilyMeans Financial Solutions offers counseling and a Debt Management Program to help those in need become free from debt and on the path of financial stability.

Pictured above is Counselor Manager, Eli Snyder, attending a resource fair to promote Financial Solutions.

1 in 3 youth are not regularly engaged in afterschool activities

FamilyMeans Youth Development provides free afterschool programs in Cimarron and Landfall, the two lowest income communities in Washington County. Youth have access to homework help, college tours, life skill teachings, and a safe and enriching place to be with peers.

Pictured above are youth at our Investigation Station in Landfall creating clay projects with the help of Northern Clay Center.