Company Profile
Washburn Center for Children
Company Overview
With more than 134 years of experience in assisting high-risk children in the Twin Cities area, Washburn Center for Children is a leader in helping children with social, emotional and behavioral problems and their families. As a community mental health center focused on children’s mental health, Washburn serves children from birth to age 18. In 2016, Washburn Center for Children served more than 2,900 children and approximately 8,700 family members. Washburn’s three office locations – Brooklyn Park, Minnetonka and Minneapolis – serve the entire Twin Cities metro area. The nonprofit also offers in-home services and its school-based services serves the Eden Prairie, Bloomington and Minneapolis school districts.
Company History
Washburn Center for Children was founded as the Washburn Memorial Orphan Asylum in 1883. The orphanage was created by Cadwallader C. Washburn, co-founder of the milling company that has evolved into General Mills, after a mill explosion left several children orphaned.
After the orphanage closed in 1924, the Washburn Foster Home Placement Agency provided services for children going into foster care. In 1951, the agency responded to the changing needs of the community by establishing the Washburn Memorial Clinic to provide diagnostic services and treatment of children with learning and behavioral problems. In 2007, the agency changed its name from Washburn Child Guidance Center to Washburn Center for Children.
Continually evolving to meet the children’s mental health needs of the community, Washburn Center completed a $24.5 million capital campaign and opened an expanded, nature-infused facility in 2014.