Organized in 1915, East Side Neighborhood Services, Inc. (ESNS) is a nonprofit human service agency that provides social and other services to individuals, families and neighborhoods primarily of Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis and surrounding communities.  Its purpose is to assist people of all ages and backgrounds in realizing a higher quality of life.

In response to agency growth and structural limitations, East Side Neighborhood Services launched a capital campaign to build a new facility.  The $8.16 million capital campaign involved constructing a new 47,000-square foot facility to house a variety of connected services all under one roof.

On the weekend of April 20, 2001 staff and worker crews moved everything out of our previous home of 85 years at 1929 Second Street NE and moved it all one block south to our new home at 1700 Second Street NE.  On Monday, April 23, 2001 we opened our doors for service at our beautiful new facility.

The first floor is specifically designed to provide optimal space for the Menlo Park Alternative High School, Senior Dining, Youth Services, Northeast Child Development Center and Volunteer Services.  It also includes administrative operations and a gymnasium for recreation and community gatherings.

The second floor houses Family Services, Senior Services, the Senior AIDES Project and Employment Services with a computerized Job Bank.  We also built a parking lot with a total of 151 parking spaces and a large garage to house the Transportation Service buses and vans.The new Neighborhood House is designed to be inviting, open and accessible to encourage the community to explore what ESNS has to offer.  Families will know that everyone – children, parents and grandparents – can receive the support they require in a comfortable accessible setting.  The community will have a place it can count on and be proud of, one that can serve the needs of its residents throughout their lifetimes.

While East Side serves thousands of individuals every year, several of the agency’s programs have waiting lists.  With these increased services, and the availability of space for community gatherings, it is anticipated that 20 percent more people each year will be serviced at the new Neighborhood House.