Our History

Genesis II for Families began as the Criminal Justice Project in 1976 through a federal grant, becoming the first community-based corrections program for women in the state of Minnesota.  In 1979, we secured long-term funding and incorporated as a private, comprehensive, non-profit human service agency and changed our name to Genesis II for Women.  Program participants at this time were women referred to programming in lieu of a prison sentence and/or as part of a probation plan. In 2003 the name changed to “Genesis II for Families, Inc.” to better reflect services provided to whole families.

Through the years intensive parenting programs expanded to include other parent support services, mental health, life skills training, child development and mentoring.  Populations served have grown to include not only at risk adults and their children but also teens. Today, Genesis II for Families is a financially stable organization with comprehensive programming that allows us to effectively fulfill our mission of strengthening families, empowering youth and changing lives.