Community Collaborations
Community Thread’s mission is to maximize resources and engage volunteers to improve the quality of life for adults and their families in our community. We do this by harnessing the passion of community volunteers to help others and by providing services aimed at older adults, particularly those who desire to age in their own home. Our name symbolizes our belief that each act of service is a thread that ties people, communities and lives together.
As one strand in the community safety net, we collaborate with local partners to address unmet needs in the community. We collectively serve our neighbors with the assistance of other organizations including United Way, Washington County – East, Valley Outreach, Lakeview Health, FamilyMeans, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Stillwater Area School District, and Washington County Community Services. Community Thread is intentional about not duplicating services that other organizations are already providing.
We are involved in the following programs and initiatives to ensure our community is one where people are engaged, enriched and connected.
ACT on Alzheimers
Community Thread believes our community benefits from being attentive to the needs of our aging population, particularly as it relates to dementia. We are a founding supporter of a process that will help create a dementia-friendly community through the work being performed by ACT on Alzheimers. Learn more.
Community Involvement Awards for Washington County
Community Thread, in partnership with the Washington County Board of Commissioners, recognizes volunteers each spring through the Community Involvement Awards (CIA). CIA serves to shine a spotlight on volunteerism and honor the great work being done by the volunteers in our community. View the list of 2022 CIA Recipients here. For a list of CIA recipients in past years, click here.
Fare For All
Community Thread hosts Fare For All, a cooperative purchasing program, that offers affordable groceries and packages of produce and meat for up to 40% off retail prices. 2023 Scheduled Dates: 4:00-6:00pm on January 17, February 14, March 14, April 18, May 16, June 13, July 18, August 1, September 19, October 17, November 14, December 5.
Stillwater Area School District (ISD #834)
Community Thread works closely with the Stillwater Area school district on a number of initiatives. Beginning in 2014, Community Thread partnered with the School District to develop and offer a Varsity Letter in Community Service to recognize and reward students for their volunteer efforts in the community. In addition, Community Thread coordinates intergenerational programming, including a program utilizing older adult volunteers who play cribbage with students to help them strengthen their math skills.
To support local youth, Community Thread awards a scholarship annually to a graduating Stillwater Area High School senior who shows a commitment to his or her community through volunteering. The student must exemplify a strong commitment to local, community volunteerism and demonstrate how his or her volunteerism has made an impact on his or her personal life and community. Application details are available through the high school’s scholarship packet. 
Stuff the Bus
Community Thread partners with United Way of Washington County-East for this campaign to help students enrolled in the Stillwater Area School District succeed. Throughout the months of July and August, we collect school supplies which get distributed to students. For a complete list of school supplies needed, please click here. School supplies can be dropped off at Community Thread or United Way of Washington County-East anytime throughout the year. Parents looking for school supplies must contact the child’s school in August. They will be able to provide instructions about how to receive school supplies donated through the Stuff the Bus initiative. To learn more, contact Community Thread’s Volunteer Center at 651-439-7434.
Other Community Collaborations
Staff and board members also participate in networks to maintain an active human services sector for the region: Community Health Action Team, Living Healthy in Washington County Community Leadership Team, Washington County Senior Workers, St. Croix Valley Volunteer Leadership Network, Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration, the Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce and the Stillwater Rotary. Working collaboratively is inherent in our mission, and we take our responsibilities as partners within these local collaborations seriously.
Transportation Resources
Community Thread offers a variety of transportation resources for its community members. Community Thread receives partial funding from Lakeview Health Foundation, United Way of Washington County-East, private donations, and other supporters to help ensure members of our community are able to get to the places they need to go. Click here for the 2023 Transportation Resources Booklet.
Looking for something else?
Visit this page for an additional list of resources.