Southside Kitchen

Anyone under the age of 18 is invited to Waite House’s Southside Kitchen to enjoy a great meal for free.

The Kitchen is a safe, easy place to hang out and get a nutritious–and tasty–meal. You might learn more about the community, choose to volunteer and learn culinary skills, meet up with lots of great people, or simply come and go. It’s food. It’s free. Enjoy.

During the summer, lunch is served from 1:00-2:00pm, Monday-Friday. Southside Kitchen is open daily from June 15th-July 31st. The kitchen will be closed on July 3rd, in observance of the holiday.

View the summer menu »

Waite House is an open site for the USDA Summer Food Service Program. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Youth and Family

Focusing on the 6 C’s of competence, confidence, character, connections, commitment, and contribution

Tel: 612-302-3400

Programs & Services

Pillsbury Early Education Center

PEEC provides quality care and kindergarten-ready education combined with a one-of-a-kind arts curriculum at an affordable price. Parent Aware-approved and NAEYC-accredited.
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Crisis Nursery

For families in a crisis situation, we find free short term childcare placement for youth 6 weeks to 12 years of age. For more information, call 612-302-3500.

Afterschool Program

Children in Kindergarten thru 8th grade receive daily tutoring, mentoring, and participate in group activities that vary depending on the assets within each neighborhood center.
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Summer Program

Programming provides structured group activities in fine arts, service learning, recreation, technology, and more.
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Youth Entrepreneurship Programs

PUC uses business ventures like Full Cycle Used Bike Shop and the Triple C Coffee Cart to inspire leadership and creativity in youth.
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The Triple C Coffee Cart

Order your coffee and other drinks prepared by East African Youth ages 14-21 who are learning on the job. Part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Program.
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The Sisterhood of the Travelling Scarf

A thrift shop in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood run by East African women ages 14-21. Part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Program.
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Youth Pathways

This Waite House program unifies other youth and teen activities into an intensive curriculum. For more information, call 612-721-1681.

Southside Kitchen

Waite House provides healthy meals on a daily basis during the school year and summer to young people under 18. For more information, call 612-721-1681.
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Teen Center

This new program at Oak Park Center includes health and nutrition education through the Teen Café as well as media production opportunities, college prep assistance, and youth entrepreneurship programs. For more information, call 612-377-7000.

Active Older Adults

Adults 50 years old and up are engaged, supported, and participate in community field trips while being connected to resources and other opportunities for community engagement. Tuesdays, Thursdays 9-1 pm. For more information, call 612-529-8054.

For Adults with Disabilities

EPIC offers vocational services and day programs for persons with developmental disabilities, with an emphasis on community integration, enrichment and employment.
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Life Skills

Advocates collaborate to support the life goals of adults with life skill barriers like social anxiety and anger control. For more information, call 612-529-8054

SSI Financial Management

Camden Neighborhood Center works with Social Security’s Representative Payment Program to provide financial management for beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their own Social Security or SSI payments. For more information, call 612-302-3430.

Kids Café

Waite House provides healthy meals on a daily basis during the school year and summer. For more information, call 612-721-1681.
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CREW

Youth in middle school utilize Creativity, Respect, Empathy, and Wisdom for service learning projects throughout the school year. For ages 11-14.
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FANS

Furthering Achievement through a Network of Support (FANS) helps prepare high school students for college, including some scholarships.
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Be the Boss

A partnership with the University of MN Junior Entrepreneurs of Minnesota, this five-week summer camp introduces high school students to the basics of entrepreneurship. For more information, call 612-377-7000.

Global Youth Service Day

Pillsbury United Communities is proud to work with the national organization as a host Global Youth Service Day Events in Minnesota.
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City Fresh Veggies Team

Youth grows herbs, flowers and vegetables in the Oak Park garden to sell to local restaurants chefs. For more information, call 612-377-7000.

Power of Our Voices

Neighborhood teens work afterschool to learn the skills of performance and spoken word poetry.
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Chicago Avenue Project

CAP brings Twin Cities’ best performing artists together with kids in the neighborhood to create plays and experience success.
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Full Cycle

Full Cycle is a used bicycle retail shop that provides services including a food shelf and training to homeless teens.
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Toys for Tots

200+ kids receive winter holiday gifts each year. Registration begins in November. For more information, call 612-721-1681.

Let’s Move

Join Oak Park’s Families in Motion to boost health and fitness while gaining support from other individuals. For more information, call 612-377-7000.

Intergenerational Mentoring

Oak Park brings together older and young adult mentoring pairs, preparing the intergenerational pairs to increase civic engagement. For more information, call 612-377-7000.