Community Resources

Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted members of the healthcare team who help bridge the gap between medical care and community resources. At Open Cities Health Center, our CHWs work alongside patients to identify barriers that may affect their health and well-being, such as challenges with food, housing, transportation, or accessing medications.

By listening to your needs and connecting you with available community resources, our goal is to help you access the support you need to improve your overall health. If you are interested in meeting with a Community Health Worker, ask your healthcare provider for a referral so an appointment can be scheduled.

Connect with a Community Health Worker

Open Cities Health Center Community Health Workers help connect patients with community resources for food, housing, transportation, and medication needs.

Food Pantries

CLUES

Provides free, healthy food through its Canasta Familiar food distribution program and connects families with additional nutrition and community resources.

KeyStone Services

Provides free, healthy food through its food shelf, mobile food program, grocery delivery service, free farmers market, crisis support, and other community resources.

Second Harvest Heartland

Connects and provides free food through local food shelves, meal programs, grocery assistance, SNAP enrollment support, and other hunger-relief resources across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Today’s Harvest

A free market that rescues items from local grocery stores and partners. They provide fresh produce, meat, dairy, and bakery items that you can shop for every day.

Ready to Go Meals

Community Bridge

They offer free bimonthly food shelf distributions, special holiday baskets, weekly community meals, home-delivered prepared meals, job training, mentoring, volunteer opportunities, and catering services.

Loaves and Fishes

Provides free, nutritious meals in community settings to anyone in need, with dignity and no questions asked.

Open Hands Midway

Offers nutritious hot meals, fresh produce, and bakery items FREE to people in need.

Transportation

Insurance

Some insurance companies will provide no-cost transportation to medical appointments. Contact your insurance provider for specific details.

Medical Transportation Management (MTM)

MTM Health provides non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for eligible Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) members in the Twin Cities metro area, helping them get to medical appointments safely and at no cost. Learn more about eligibility and scheduling transportation on the MTM Health website.

Metro Mobility

Provides shared-ride transportation for certified riders with disabilities or health conditions. Certified riders also receive free rides on Metro Transit buses and METRO lines.

Metro Transit

Offers several discounted fare and unlimited ride programs for eligible riders, including the Transit Assistance Program (TAP), Metro pass, Student Pass, and College Pass. Eligibility and enrollment requirements vary by program. Learn more about each program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply on the Metro Transit website.

Medication

Amazon Pharmacy

Amazon Pharmacy is an online pharmacy that delivers prescriptions to your home. Most insurance plans are accepted, and savings are available through insurance, Amazon Prime, RxPass, and eligible coupons. Learn more on the Amazon Pharmacy website.

GoodRx

GoodRx helps you save on prescription medications by letting you search for your medication, choose the best available coupon, and show it at your preferred pharmacy. No account or insurance is required, and while GoodRx does not deliver medications, your provider can send your prescription to the pharmacy where you plan to use your coupon.

Open Cities Health Center – Dunlap Pharmacy

Open Cities Health Center’s Pharmacy is accessible to the general public, including individuals who are not established as patients. Medications can be dispensed on-site, offering a convenient, centralized setting where pharmacy services and healthcare appointments are available under one roof.

Housing

The Coordinated Entry System helps people experiencing homelessness get connected to housing programs they qualify for. It can match you with available options if you are at risk or need emergency assistance to stay in your home.

Dakota County
651-554-5751
co.dakota.mn.us

Hennepin County
612-348-3000
hennepincounty.gov

Ramsey County
651-266-1050
ramseycountymn.gov

United Way 211

Dial 2-1-1 from any phone.

United Way 211 helps with housing, shelters, financial assistance, hotlines, food, mental health, legal services, health care, personal/household items, employment, and education.

Supporting Harm Reduction, Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), and Recovery

Anything Helps

Culturally rooted outreach, basic needs support, and harm reduction resources to people at any stage of recovery.

Koom Recovery

Empowering the Hmong community through weekly support groups, informative workshops, peer engagement, and mentorship.

OCHC Behavioral Health

Provides individual, couples, child, adolescent, and family therapy; diagnostic assessments; Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS); mental health consultations and referrals; individualized treatment planning; and psychoeducation to support mental health and wellness.

Healthy Aging

Alzheimer’s Association

Provides education, care planning, support groups, a 24/7 helpline, and resources for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as their families and caregivers.

Dakota Area Resources and Transportation Services (DARTS)

Provides transportation for Dakota County residents to medical appointments, essential errands, grocery stores, and restaurants. Call to schedule a ride and confirm service availability, as transportation is limited to certain areas.

Meals on Wheels

Provides nutritious home-delivered meals and wellness checks for older adults and individuals who have difficulty preparing meals or leaving their homes.

Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging

Provides information, referrals, Medicare counseling, and support services to help older adults and caregivers access resources that promote independence, health, and well-being.

Naloxone

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a safe and effective medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose by acting in the body. It can be administered either as an intramuscular (IM) injection or as a nasal spray.

How does Naloxone work?

In the brain there are receptors that opioids can attach to, and Naloxone has the ability to attach to the same receptors, but their bond is stronger. Once administered, Naloxone works by knocking the opioids off the receptors and blocking any more from bonding for 30–90 minutes. This reverses the overdose and can allow a person to breathe again until emergency medical services arrive.

Open Cities Health Center – North End Clinic

OCHC North End Clinic offers free naloxone and harm reduction supplies, including fentanyl and xylazine test strips, to support overdose prevention and community health.

Steve Rummler HOPE Network

The Steve Rummler HOPE Network is a nonprofit dedicated to overdose prevention through education, advocacy, and harm reduction, offering naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and community resources to save lives.

Know the signs of an overdose and what to do about it: View the Signs & Symptoms of an Overdose flyer (PDF).

Have you gotten support from a Community Health Worker? Please fill out our anonymous survey!

Patient Follow-Up: Resources & Blood Pressure (SMBP) Support – Fill out form

If you would like to learn more or receive support, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to our Community Health Worker team.

To schedule an appointment, call (651) 290-9200.