Our Support for Immigrants

Neighborhood House has supported immigrants and refugees on St. Paul’s West Side for over 128 years. We believe everyone deserves to feel safe and celebrated in our shared community, and we know that our neighborhoods are stronger and richer because of your cultural strengths and contributions. We stand with you today and say, “You are welcome here.”

If you’d like to partner with us in supporting our community right now, please visit our Community Crisis Response page and our Ways to Give page.

Food Support

March Food Drive is an annual community campaign to fight food insecurity in Minnesota by stocking food shelves. Click to learn more and support neighbors today!

Saturday hours have resumed at the Wellstone Center Food Market! Saturdays are first-come, first-served, walk-in services; no appointment is necessary. Visit our Food Market page for hours and Saturday market dates, or click here to make an appointment for our weekday hours. 

Neighborhood House

Welcome to Neighborhood House

Growing thriving communities throughout St. Paul, Minnesota.

Since 1897, Neighborhood House has been and continues to be a welcoming presence for thousands of refugees, immigrants and others in transition or crisis. Our organization has become a full-service hub for those seeking assistance with basic needs, from food to housing, as well as helping create future opportunities through family coaching and education programming.

Our integrated approach to programming recognizes the wholeness of every person’s life and considers aspects of each individual’s needs and well-being so that we can serve every member of a family as they build strength and stability for the future.

Upcoming Events

Our Programs

Adult Education
Adult Education

Classes for adults include English, GED and the U.S. citizenship process. Additional classes on skills improvement, and how to further one’s education.

Family Centers
Family Centers
A one-stop location to receive various services and referrals. Families work one-on-one with a coach to identify what current needs there may be. From there, coaches will connect families to resources within and outside of the organization.
Food Support
Food Support

We provide fresh, healthy and culturally appropriate food to anyone who visits us. Program includes our two food markets, monthly fresh produce events and further assistance with referrals.

Housing Stability
Housing Stability

Helping both renters and homeowners to avoid eviction and/or homelessness by providing helpful resources. Team members support and work with participants one-on-one to find a solution suited to their needs.

Latino Leadership
Latino Leadership

Designed for adults from the Latino community to explore their personal leadership styles. Participants explore transformative ways to grow as leaders in their community and/or their
workplaces.

Parent & Early Childhood Education
Parent & Early Childhood Education

The PECE program includes a preschool with a kindergarten readiness curriculum in tandem with parents who also work with their child’s intellectual and emotional education.

Youth Literacy
Youth Literacy

Our Youth Literacy team members are engaged with St. Paul public schools and work with students one-on-one daily to help them improve their literacy skills in fun and creative ways.

Youth Program
Youth Program

A safe space for youth 6-18 to be themselves, be creative and learn while having fun. Programming includes summer camps, after school homework assistance and much more.

Hope in Action supports a vision for meeting evolving needs in our community, including expanding our services, opening our new location on Montreal Ave., and deepening our impact across our local community. 

Join us year-round for Fresh Produce Distributions at the Wellstone Center, the parking lot of Summit Brewing, and Metro State. These are farmer’s market style events and are open to all!

Volunteer - FPE - Wellstone - 6 volunteers

Volunteers truly make a difference and are essential to helping us achieve our mission. Learn more about volunteering at Neighborhood House. 

NH - Fresh Produce Event - Wellstone Center - Volunteers

Neighborhood House is growing! Visit our careers page to learn more about what opportunities are available!

Check out our blog to read important news, updates or media related to Neighborhood House. 

New roof. Same House. Neighborhood House opened a new center in the West 7th Neighborhood in 2024. Learn more.

dog phot

To help you start your legacy, we’ve partnered with FreeWill, a free estate planning tool that guides you through creating your will or trust.

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You can now make an appointment online to shop at our Wellstone Center Food Market. Click here to make an appointment.

Is your group looking for a space to host your next meeting or event? Check out our spaces here.

Please fill out and submit the form below to contact us.

Carrie Sowada | Child Development Specialist

Carrie comes to Neighborhood House as a recent graduate of the U of M’s Family Social Science program, where they graduated with distinction. They have more than five years of experience working with and mentoring children in St. Cloud area youth programs, as well as customer service and restaurant experience. Additionally, Carrie has experience in community building, advocacy, and working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In their spare time, Carrie enjoys crocheting. It’s their favorite hobby. 

Valerie Dorschner | Early Childhood Instructor

Valerie has worked at Neighborhood House since 2004.

Valerie leads the Skills for School preschool program and is responsible for the curriculum. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood working with parents and children, and has training and experience working with neurodiverse and dual language students.

  • Valerie is a licensed teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas.
  • She holds licenses in elementary education and in early childhood education, and has several years of experience
    teaching elementary school.

Valerie enjoys her free time with her five children and one grandchild.

Victoria Campoverde

Victoria Campoverde is the program manager of Neighborhood House’s Latino Leadership Program. She is originally from Peru and was a licensed high school teacher in her home country.

Her extensive experience within the education sector exemplifies her commitment to education and families.

  • Currently, she serves as the Cultural Liaison between Columbia Heights School District and Anoka-Hennepin School District.
  • In 2008 Victoria began working with The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s Latino Leadership Program on adapting their curriculum for the Latinx community. Since then, she has continued working in the Latino Leadership Program after its 2020 transition to Neighborhood House.
  • Coauthor of Education: Our Best Legacy (EOBL), a school success program designed for parents or caregivers with one or more children in middle school. EOBL is part of the Partnering for School Success project (PSS) with the University of Minnesota’s Extension program.
  • Lead teacher and Program Director at Joyce Preschool.
  • A 25 on the Rise, Latino Leader recipient from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
  • Facilitator with different Latino parent programs in the Twin Cities.
  • President of Kuyayki Peru MN Cultural Association.

For Victoria it is important to value ones culture and cultivate ones heritage. She believes in the importance of empowering the community through her work with Neighborhood House and the Latino Leadership Program. During her free time Victoria enjoys dancing.

Winter / Spring Fresh Produce Distributions Events*

From November–May, all are welcome to come pick up a variety of free fruits and vegetables for family and friends. Distributions take place at Metro State University in St. Paul.

This event is held indoors. Masks are encouraged but not required.

During each event, we distribute approximately 3,000 pounds of food to approximately 75-100 families on average.

No documentation or identification is required to participate.

For additional questions about the Food Markets, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!

  • Requirements: Nothing! You do not need identification to receive food.
  • Recommendations: You may want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one. On average, visitors will leave with approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce per event. 
  • Registration: First-time visitors are required to register on site. The registration process will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Parking: You can park in the Metro State ramp parking for $5. Otherwise, street parking is available along 7th St. and Bates Avenue.

Wellstone Center | 179 Robie Street East, St. Paul, MN  55107

 

Location

Metropolitan State University

(Student Center Room)
101 690 E 7th St
St. Paul, MN 55106

TIME – 2:30–4 P.M.

DATES – December 17, 2025 | January 14, 2026 | February 11, 2026 | March 11, 2026 | April 8, 2026 | May 13, 2026

 

* Weather permitting – If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.

Still have questions? Kindly email Nicki Thao, Food Market Site Coordinator.

Summer / Fall distributions* (Summer 2025)

From July to October, all are welcome to come pick up a variety of free fruits and vegetables for family and friends at our St. Paul locations. 

The distributions are held outdoors and are farmer’s market style. No documentation or identification is required to participate.

For additional questions about Food Support, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!

  • Requirements: Nothing! You do not need identification to receive food.
  • Recommendations: You may want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one. On average, visitors will leave with approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce per event. 
  • Registration: First-time visitors are required to register on site. The registration process will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Parking: You may park on the street at most of our locations. 
 

Locations

The Wellstone Center*

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107

Dates

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from July to October
Hours: 12 p.m.–2 p.m.

  • 7/10
  • 7/24
  • 8/14
  • 8/28
  • 9/11
  • 9/25
  • 10/9
  • 10/23

Summit Brewing Parking Lot

902 Montreal Circle
St. Paul, MN 55102

Dates

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday from July to October
Hours: 12 p.m.–2 p.m.

  • 7/3
  • 7/17
  • 8/7
  • 8/21
  • 9/4
  • 9/18
  • 10/2
  • 10/16

* Weather permitting. If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.

Still have questions? Please email Nikki Thao, Food Market Coordinator.

Food Market Location

Francis Basket

1293 East Maynard Drive #410
St Paul, MN 55116
Phone: (651) 699-0986

Building Hours

Monday

9AM – 11:30AM

Tuesday & WEDNESDAYS

9AM – 11:30AM
1PM – 4PM

Highland / Sibley Manor

Food Market Location

The Wellstone Center

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: (651) 789-2500
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630

Appointment Required

Make Appointment online: Click Here

Appointment Scheduling Hours

Monday – Friday

9:30AM–4PM

Operating Hours

Monday

TUESDAYFRIDAY

SATURDAY

  • 1–4PM 
  • 9:30–11:30AM
  • 1–3:30PM

Closed Saturdays until 2026

Wellstone Center Food Market

St. Paul Music Academy

27 Geranium Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55117
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

St. Paul Music Academy

John A. Johnson Elementary

740 York Avenue
St Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

John A. Johnson Elementary

Neighborhood House on Montreal

1080 Montreal Ave
St Paul, MN 55116
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

No appointment necessary

Operating Hours​

MONDAYWEDNESDAY

  • 9:30–11:30AM
  • 1–4PM
Neighborhood House on Montreal

Dayton's Bluff Elementary

262 Bates Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Dayton's Bluff Elementary

Bruce Vento Elementary

409 Case Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55130
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Bruce Vento Elementary

Main Campus

The Wellstone Center

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Main Phone: (651) 789-2500
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

8AM – 9PM

Saturday

8AM – 4PM

Sunday

NOON – 5PM

The Wellstone Center

Parking

The Wellstone Center Parking Ramp is located on the west side of the main building. The ramp has three levels with one elevator bank. Take the elevator to the first floor and follow the signs towards the information desk.
Parking is free.

Note: Building hours may be adjusted due to holidays, emergencies, program changes or weather. Check our website homepage and social media for possible building hour changes.