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Home . . Health Information . . Support Groups
United Way's First Call for Help - Dial 211
Give or get help by dialing 2-1-1. It's an easy to use phone number for information on health and human service needs. Operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial 211 from a land line phone, or 1-800-543-7709 from a cell phone.
Support Groups
Support groups and community resources are listed here as a community service. They are listed in alphabetical order. Call ahead to learn if there are any fees to use the resources, and to ensure the support group is still meeting.
ADD/ADHD Resource
The Resource Center Program provides information ,support, networking, scholarships, and a lending library for:
- Autism
- ADHD/ADD
- TBI
- Mental Health
- Down Syndrome
Adult Day Services
- Availability: Monday - Friday at Bethesda - Day Break - Adult Day Services
- Cindy Wilkens, Adult Day Services Manager
320.235.4891
AIDS Rural Action Network
- Hotline 1.800.966.9735
www.raan.org
Alcoholics Anonymous
- Hotline 1.800.344.2666
ALS
- 1.800.672.0484 (Twin Cities)
Alzheimer's Disease Support Group
Family and friends of those experiencing difficulties with Alzheimer's Disease. Assistance with caring for your loved one is available during the meeting.
- Meets: 1st Thursday of every month at 3:30pm at Bethesda Wellness Center Conference room
- Contact: Bunne Frost-Johnston
320.214.5621
Arthritis/Fibromyalgia
Meeker county: Education and Support for those with Arthritis and their families
- Meets: 2nd Monday at 2pm at Meeker Memorial Hospital (September-May)
- Contact. Lori Rice
320.693.4573
Arthritis / Fibromyalgia
Swift County: Call for individual appointments
- Contact: Stella 320.843.4232 or Joyce 320.843.5621 or
Joyce N 320.843.2004 or
Minnesota Arthritis Foundation 1.800.333.1380
Arthritis Support Group
Meets: 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00pm at Bethesda Wellness Center Conference room
- Contact: Bunne Frost-Johnson
320.214.5621
Arthritis Support Group
Anyone who is experiencing difficulties with arthritis and is interested in learning more bout the disease.
- Meets: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 3:00 pm at Bethesda Wellness Center conference Room
- Contact: Bunne Frost-Johnston
320.214.5621
ARC Kandiyohi Chapter
Advocacy and support for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
- Contact: Mary Rhude 320.231.1777
Autism Resource
The Resource Center Program provides information, support, networking, scholarships, and a lending library for:
- Autism
- ADHD/ADD
- TBI
- Mental Health
- Down Syndrome
Bereavement Support Group
To help families and friends cope with the death of a loved one. This group is also held in locations outside of Willmar
- Contact: Judie Dunlop
320.231.4442
Bone Builders- The Osteoporosis Exercise Program
The Augustana RSVP Osteoporosis Exercise Program relies upon weight training to protect against fractures caused by osteoporosis by increasing muscular strength and bone density.
- Contact: 1.800.669.6714 for more information.
Brain Injury Support Group
Education and support for individuals living with a brain injury and their families/friends. Talk with others who understand
- Meets: June through September and November- Last Monday of the month at 6:30pm at West Central Industries
1300 22nd St SW Willmar, MN 56201
Contact: Alisa Savelkoul
320.235.5310 orLaura Albert
320.235.8786
Cancer Support Group
For patients and families dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Offers both support and education
- Meets: Tuesday at 2:30-3:30pm in the Community Health Library at Rice Memorial Hospital
301 Becker Ave SW
Willmar, MN 56201
Contact: Rev. Bev Crute
320.231.4211
Cancer Support group for Breast Cancer
- Contact: Reach to Recovery
Bev Weflen 320.231.8935
Cardiac and Diabetes
- Meets: September through May on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 2:00pm at Meeker Memorial Hospital
- Contact: Lori Rice
320.639.4573
Caregivers Support Group
For all caregivers who are seeking information and want to share both the joys and sorrows related to the caregiving experience
- Meets: 2nd Thursday of the month at 2:00pm at Bethesda Wellness Center Conference Room
- Contact: Bunne Frost-Johnston
320.214.5621
Caregivers Support Group
Offers support, education, and respite program
- Meets: 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00pm at Peach Lutheran Church in New London
- Contact: Jan Novotny, Lutheran social Services Caregiver and Respite Program
320.894.0479
Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue Support Group
A safe and affirming environment for those who live with any kind of chronic pain or chronic fatigue. This is primarily an education and networking group where we can share our struggles related to the physical condition and receive support as well as exchange ideas on how to cope as we accept our unique set of limitations.
- Meets: 4th Saturday of every month at 11:00am-1:00pm in Seminar 4, Lower Level of Lakeland Health Center - 502 2nd Street, Willmar.
- Contact : Stephanie Jans, 320.262.3552 (Lunch is NOT provided, so please feel free to bring your own or buy something at the hospital cafeteria.
Community Teen Moms
Provides parent and family education for pregnant adolescents and their partners. Community Teen Moms help young parents to:
- Develop parenting skills
- Learn how to locate, get hired, and keep a job
- Look at education options
- Clarify legal rights and responsibilities
- Identify community programs that fit your personal needs and interests
- Discuss and get information on AIDS< safe-sex and other sexuality issues
Contact: Elizabeth Christianson, Lutheran Social Services
320.235.5411
Compassionate Friends Support Group
For parents who have lost a child
- Meets: 3rd Tuesday of every month 7;30 - 10:00pm
Rice Auditorium, Lower level of the Lakeland Health Center Building
502 2nd St SW
Willmar, MN 56201
Contact: Paulette Wiley
320.366.3421 or
320.231.5392 (work)
Dialysis Education
- Contact: Deb Buffington, RN
320.231.4218
Down Syndrome Resource
The Resource Center Program provides information, support, networking, scholarships, and a lending library for:
- Autism
- ADHD/ADD
- TBI
- Mental Health
- Down Syndrome
Eating Disorders Support Group
- A support group is no longer meeting
- For individual counseling, please contact Rice Institute at 320.231.4399 to make an appointment.
Fibromyalgia / Arthritis
Meeker County: Education and Support for those with Arthritis and their families
- Meets: 2nd Monday at 2pm at Meeker Memorial Hospital (September-May)
- Contact. Lori Rice
320.693.4573
Fibromyalgia / Arthritis
Swift County: Call for individual appointments
- Contact: Stella 320.843.4232 or Joyce 320.843.5621 or
Joyce N 320.843.2004 or
Minnesota Arthritis Foundation 1.800.333.1380
Grief Counseling
- Individual counseling for individuals coping with grief from loss of something or someone important in their lives.
Contact: Brenda Wiese, Rice Hospice Grief Center
320.231.4714
Grief Support Group (See Bereavement Support Group)
6 week class
Contact: Judie Dunlop
320.231.4635
Health Insurance Counseling
Free and confidential service staff by trained volunteers to help you with a variety of questions about medical bills and health insurance coverage, whether or not it is related to Medicare.
Contact: Health Insurance Counseling Program (HICP)
320.231.4069
Health Learning Center
Anticoagulation Clinic, Free Blood Pressure Clinic, Immunization for all ages, and International Travel Vaccination
Contact: ACMC
320.231.5070
Home Non-Health & Respite Services
Contact: Linda Madsen -Touching Hearts @ Home
320.354.4663
Hospice Care
Compassionate care and comfort to people at the end of life, along with education and support to family members.
Contact: Rice Hospice
320.231.4450 or
1.800.336.7423
Lupus Support Group
- Meets: Last Thursday of the month at 2:00 pm at McMillian's
Contact: Janelle Joneson
320.796.5119 or
320.212.9461
Meals on Wheels
- Available: Daily at noon
Contact: West Central Industries
320.320.4310, ext. 219
Meals- New London Senior Dining
- Contact: 320.354.2080
Mental Health
For individual counseling, please contact Rice Institute at 320.231.4399 to make an appointment
Mental Health
The Resource Center Program provides information, support, networking, scholarships, and a lending library for:
- Autism
- ADHD/ADD
- TBI
- Mental Health
- Down Syndrome
MS Support Group
Education and support for anyone with MS, as well as their family members and friends
- Meets; 4th Tuesday of every month at 3:00pm at Meeker Memorial Hospital Conference Center
Contact: Lori Rice
320.693.4573
MS Support Group
- Meets: 1st Tuesday (March - December) at 7:00pm at Bethesda Pleasantview
Narcotics Anonymous
- Meets: Wednesdays at 7:30pm and Fridays at 7:30 pm at
Lakeland Health Center, Lower level -Rice Auditorium
Contact: Rice Education Center
320.231.8920
Orthopedic Surgery -Outpatient Joint Replacement Class
- Meets: Every Thursday (except 5th Thursdays) at 1:00 pm in the Board Room at Rice Hospital
Contact: Rice Physical Therapy
320.231.4239
Ostomy Support Group / Willmar Area Ostomy Society
- Meets: 2nd Tuesday, April through December at 7:00 pm at Lakeland Health Center, Lower Level, Rice Auditorium
Contact: Cathy Moe
320.231.4599
Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength, and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members.
- Meets: Mondays at 6:30 pm at Lakeland Health Center, Lower level
Contact: Rice Education Center
320.231.8920
Parkinson's Support Group
Education and support for persons with Parkinson's and their family members
- Meets: Last Wednesday of every month at 1:30pm at Meeker Memorial Hospital Conference Room
Contact: Lori Rice
320.693.4573
Parkinson's Support Group
Education and support for persons with Parkinson's and their family members
- Meets: 2nd Wednesday of every month at 100:00 am at Bethesda Wellness Center conference Room
Contact: Bunne Frost-Johnston
320.214.5621
Peer Helper Program
- Meets: 3rd Wednesday of the month at 9:15am
Contact: Kay Finneman
320.231.8323 (work)
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
This program is often an individual program of support for women who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy, rather than an organized support group. It is facilitated by RN's in Women's and Children's Care at Rice who have received training in the area of pregnancy loss. When requested by the patient, a nurse visits with her individually by phone or at the hospital. The nurse can provide her with resources and counselor referrals for additional support
- Currently Meets: 1st Tuesday at &00pm in the Chapel at Rice Hospital
Contact: Lori Thorson, Colleen Crannic, or Monica Rohner
Women's and Children's Care
320.231.4420
Pregnancy Education for Teens (PETS)
Contact: Rice Education Center
320.231.8920
Prenatal Classes
An online class combined with three face-to-face classes sponsored by Rice Memorial Hospital and Kandiyohi County Public Health. See Rice Hospital Web Pages for dates, times and topics.
Resource Center Program
The Resource Center Program provides information, support, networking, scholarships, and a lending library for:
- Autism
- ADHD/ADD
- TBI
- Mental Health
- Down Syndrome
Respite Services
Home non-health and respite services.
Contact: Linda Madsen - Touching Hearts at Home
320.354.4663
Single Parents Support Group
- Meets: YMCA
Contact: Toni 320.214.0126
Smoking Cessation
- BCBS Helpline
1.877.270.STOP or ACMC Health Learning Center - 320.231.5070
Smoking Cessation Support Group
Willmar Nicotine Support Group "Commit to Quit"
- Meets: Every Thursday at 5:00 pm, LuLu Beans Coffee Shop
Contact: Bonnie Tjaden
320.264.1186 (after 5pm)
Stroke Support Group
Education and Support for anyone who has had a stroke and their families
- Meets: 3rd Monday of every month at 1:30 pm (In July and December, start at 12:00pm)
Lakeland Auditorium, Lower level of Lakeland Health Center
502 2nd St SW Willmar, MN 56201
Contact: Rev. Bev Crute
320.231.4211
Survivors of Suicide Support
- Contact Lutheran Social Services
320.235.5411
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Resource
The Resource Center Program provides information, support, networking, scholarships, and a lending library for:
- Autism
- ADHD/ADD
- TBI
- Mental Health
- Down Syndrome
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group
- Meets: Mondays at 6:30pm at West Central Industries Job Link
1300 22nd St SW Willmar, MN 56201
Contact: Alisa Savelkoul 320.235.5310 or
Laura Albert 320.235.8786
Widow / Widower Friendship Group
- Meets: 2nd and 4th Mondays at 7:00pm at 1st Presbyterian Church
Please call for schedule during the summer
Contact: Joyce Bakker
320.329.8204