Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: TreeHouse Inc
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 5755 Wayzata Blvd
City: St. Louis Park
State: MN
Postal Code: 55416
Main Phone: 952-238-1010
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://treehousehope.org/
Employer ID Number: 36-3287099
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 1/28/2026
Requested Amount: $7,500

Project Title: Relationship Based Support Groups for Unsupported Teens
Project Description:

TreeHouse is dedicated to walking alongside overlooked teens who are navigating significant adversity, including poverty, mental health challenges, and unstable home environments. Today, many teens experience school environments marked by bullying and isolation, conditions that make authentic peer support rare. TreeHouse exists to create the opposite. Safe, consistent spaces where teens are protected from judgment, surrounded by care, and supported by both peers and trusted adults.

Recently, 26% of TreeHouse teens reported being the target of bullying at school in the last two weeks. These experiences leave teens feeling isolated, anxious, and unsupported, increasing the risk of depression and disengagement. While teens are surrounded by peers at school, few have access to spaces where vulnerability is welcomed and emotional safety is guaranteed.

TreeHouse Support Groups intentionally fill this gap. At the core of our model is a rare and powerful experience: teens safely sharing their emotions, struggles, and adverse childhood experiences with other teens, without fear of judgment. For many participants, our Support Groups are the only place where peer support is genuine and consistent. Caring adult leaders model empathy, set clear expectations for respect, and ensure every teen feels heard and valued.

Support Groups are fully barrier-free and cost-free to teens and their families. TreeHouse removes logistical and financial barriers by providing free transportation and free meals at every program night. Each Support Group night begins with a shared home-cooked meal, followed by a group activity and a short program focused on topics such as culture, school, and personal development. Teens then break into small groups where they rate their week on a scale of 1 to 10 (no 5’s allowed), name three emotions they’ve felt, and support one another through honest conversation. Through these relationships, teens experience belonging, healing, and hope, often for the first time.

Total Project Budget: $282,723

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: Tides Foundation, $15,000 LRE Foundation, $25,000 Kopp Family Foundation, $2,000 Christ Presbyterian Church, $15,000 RBC Foundation, $6,000. Potential: WestWings Family Foundation, $50,000 KAHR Foundation, $75,000 Carlson Family Foundation, $45,000 Schulze Family Foundation, $30,000 Riverway Foundation, $7,500

Project Duration: January 1, 2027 – September 30, 2027
Geographical Area Served: Nationwide
Age Group To Be Served: Teenagers (ages 13-18)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Belinda
Contact Last Name: Hemann
Contact Title: Grants Manager
Contact Phone: 952-238-1010 ext. 1802
Contact Email: bhemann@treehousehope.org