The Connect Center

What The Connect Center does

The Connect Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization headquartered in Stillwater, Minnesota, serving youth with unstable housing, low-income families, and individuals experiencing housing instability across Washington County. Its mission is delivered through a portfolio of five integrated programs: Case Management provides personalized goal-oriented support across finances, employment, housing, education, and family life; the Youth Resource Hub offers immediate-access basic needs (food, clothing, laundry); the After School Program delivers enrichment in social-emotional learning and academics; the Supportive Housing Program pairs families with volunteer community mentors from local faith communities for a structured one-year stability pathway; and the Host Home Program places youth ages 18-24 with screened host families for up to one year. Services are provided at no charge to clients, and the organization is funded through tax-deductible charitable donations, in-kind contributions, contributed volunteer services, and grants.

Operationally, the center runs three physical sites: a main office at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stillwater, a satellite at All Saints Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, and a location at Basic Needs Inc. offices in St. Paul Park. Distribution is community-led and event-driven, with client acquisition occurring via word-of-mouth referrals, faith-community networks, school and social-service-agency partnerships, and volunteer ambassador outreach. Back-office systems are minimal — the organization has no proprietary technology platform, no mobile app, and no API surface; core engagement tools are a website and email signup. The leadership team is led by Executive Director Cindy Parsons (three decades of regional nonprofit experience), supported by a Development Director, Program Manager, Outreach Supervisor, multiple Client Advocates, an Office Manager/Volunteer Coordinator, and an AmeriCorps Housing Resource Navigator, with governance provided by a five-member Board of Directors chaired by John Richards.

The business model is a donation-funded nonprofit with three revenue streams: charitable monetary donations from individuals, foundations, and community groups; in-kind donations (gift cards, hygiene products, bedding, winter wear); and contributed volunteer services. No revenue, expenses, or audited financials are publicly disclosed. The organization is independent, with no parent entity, no institutional investors, no funding rounds, no acquisitions, and no disclosed regulatory actions. Distribution partnerships with Valley Outreach, Basic Needs, and Bridging extend client access to complementary services (clothing, household goods, food shelf).

Name

The Connect Center

Legal name

The Connect Center

Website

https://theconnectcenter.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Connect Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Stillwater, Minnesota that delivers free case management, youth resource, after-school, supportive housing, and host home services to youth with unstable housing, low-income families, and individuals experiencing housing insecurity across Washington County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services / Nonprofit Community Support

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAO

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAEAL

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYEDACALAH

Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services

Education/Early Childhood Education/Parent Education & Family Engagement Programs

SECONDARYBPAGALAC

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

Keywords

• Nonprofit social services
• Case management
• Supportive housing
• Youth services
• Community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Stillwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: The Connect Center operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Revenue is generated through tax-deductible monetary donations from individuals, foundations, and community organizations. Donations directly fund programs for youth, individuals, and families facing housing insecurity in Washington County.
2. In-Kind Donations: Accepts in-kind donations including gift cards (particularly gas and grocery), hygiene products, winter wear, bedding, and non-perishable snacks. Gift cards are described as providing immediate relief to families in transition.
3. Volunteer Services: Receives contributed services from volunteers who assist with mentorship, tutoring, event planning, administrative tasks, and community outreach. Volunteers serve as community ambassadors and program support.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Connect Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social services organization in Washington County, Minnesota that delivers a portfolio of five integrated programs: Case Management (personalized goal-based support for finances, employment, housing, education, and family life), Youth Resource Hub (safe space for food, clothing, and laundry access), After School Program (enrichment for children focusing on social-emotional growth and academics), Supportive Housing Program (structured one-year housing stability support via faith community partnerships with volunteer mentors), and Host Home Program (culturally responsive placement of youth ages 18-24 with host families).

Product overview

The Connect Center is a non-profit social services organization (not a technology company) offering a portfolio of integrated support services for youth, families, and individuals experiencing housing instability in Washington County, Minnesota. The core service portfolio consists of five interconnected programs: Case Management provides personalized support for basic needs and goal achievement; the Youth Resource Hub offers immediate access to food, clothing, and laundry; the After School Program delivers enrichment activities for children; the Supportive Housing Program provides structured year-long housing stability support with community mentors; and the Host Home Program places housing-insecure youth ages 18-24 with host families. These services work together to address immediate crisis needs while building toward long-term stability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Case Management Provides personalized support services to help youth, families, and individuals meet basic needs and work toward short- and long-term goals related to finances, employment, housing, education, family life, and community involvement.
• After School Program Enrichment program for children meeting after school and during summer, focusing on social-emotional growth, creative expression, outdoor activity, and academic skill-building in reading, writing, and math.
• Youth Resource Hub Safe and welcoming space where young people can access basic needs such as food, clothing, and laundry services, along with connections to supportive community resources. Available at Stillwater and Cottage Grove locations.
• Supportive Housing Program A structured one-year program partnering with local faith communities to support families working toward housing stability, with volunteer community mentors and a broader support network.
• Host Home Program Culturally responsive housing program for youth ages 18 to 24, placing them with host families for up to one year while providing safe accommodation, regular meals, and goal-support services.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. Paul Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the main office location at 609 5th St. S. Stillwater MN 55082. Provides physical space for case management, youth resource hub, and administrative services.
• All Saints Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts South Washington County location at 8100 Belden Blvd, Cottage Grove MN 55016. Provides space for youth resource hub and client services.
• Valley OutreachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for general clothing and food shelf services. Located at 1911 Curve Crest Blvd W, Stillwater, MN 55082. The Connect Center refers clients for general clothing needs to allow focus on hygiene and crisis supplies.
• Basic NeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for clothing and household items thrift store. Located at 6990 80th Street South, Ste. 200, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Also hosts a Connect Center location at their offices in St. Paul Park.
• BridgingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for quality furniture, large appliances, and household goods for families in transition. Located at 1730 Terrace Drive, Roseville, MN 55113 and 201 West 87th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis: Large faith-affiliated regional nonprofit providing housing, family services, and basic needs programs across the Twin Cities metro. Comparable service categories and target populations but broader footprint and deeper funding base.
• Volunteers of America Minnesota: Regional branch of national nonprofit providing housing, family services, and recovery programs. Comparable housing stability and family support services but operates at substantially larger scale with government contracts.
• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: Statewide faith-affiliated social services organization offering housing, youth services, refugee resettlement, and family support across Minnesota. Larger scale and broader portfolio, but overlapping faith-based service delivery and housing programs.
• YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities: Regional YMCA offering after-school programming, youth development, and family services across the Twin Cities. Overlapping after-school and youth enrichment programming but with broader recreational focus and larger infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Tubman: Twin Cities nonprofit providing housing, counseling, and advocacy for youth and families affected by domestic violence, trafficking, and homelessness. Comparable youth-focused housing stability and case-management offerings.
• Avenues for Youth: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and case management for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Comparable target population (youth ages 12-24), similar Host Home / supportive housing model, and overlapping case-management services.
• Neighborhood House: St. Paul settlement house offering wraparound family and youth services including case management, basic needs, and educational support. Comparable multi-service nonprofit model targeting low-income families.
• People Serving People: Twin Cities emergency shelter and supportive housing organization serving families with children experiencing homelessness. Comparable housing-insecurity focus and integrated case-management approach.
• Valley Outreach: Stillwater, MN-based food shelf and basic needs provider serving Washington County. Direct referral partner with overlapping geography, mission, and low-income client base.
• The Bridge for Youth: Minneapolis nonprofit operating emergency shelter, host homes, and supportive housing programs for youth experiencing homelessness. Directly comparable mission, age cohort, and host-home service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Connect Center