Over three decades ago, a group of parents, teachers, business people, pastors, and other leaders from the western suburbs in Minneapolis, Minnesota got together to discuss the rising disenfranchisement, drug abuse, and delinquency of youth in the area. The group was united in a singular belief that strong relationships were the cornerstone of healthy development for individuals and communities. In 1968, two local churches opened their doors for adolescents to “drop in to talk about anything.” These informal discussions quickly uncovered individual and family struggles with mental health issues, chemical addictions, and issues in relationships.
In 1969, Relate Counseling Center was established as an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. From 1969 to 1973 Relate provided information and referral services, short-term counseling, group counseling, and raised community awareness on issues facing youth. In 1974, Relate reorganized moving to fewer and more defined services, added more professional staff, and solidified funding. Throughout the late seventies Relate expanded services to include a chemical dependency program, a family therapy program, and a physical and sexual abuse counseling program.
In 1981, Relate became a state licensed community mental health center. During the early eighties and early nineties Relate concentrated on providing high quality services, offering educational presentations to the community and providing family change and social skills groups within the Minnetonka School district. In 1995, Relate’s school based services grew to include mental and chemical health counseling to Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Orono, Wayzata, and Mound school districts. The same year, Park Nicollet partnered with Relate to open a Free Clinic in St. Louis Park.
Today in addition to individual, couples, family, group, youth intervention, and school-based counseling and educational presentations, Relate provides consultation services to area “head start” programs and offers employee assistance services to employers. Each year Relate provides services to over 2500 individuals – 75 percent are youth and their families. Relate continues to be the only nonprofit, state-licensed counseling center providing comprehensive mental and chemical health services to children, adolescents, and adults living in the western suburbs of Minneapolis.