Change Inc. and Watercourse Counseling Center Announce the Intent to Merge, Effective July 1, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | MAY 20, 2026

Media Contact: Katie Pope (kpope@thechangeinc.org, 612-492-1275)

Change Inc. and Watercourse Counseling Center Announce the Intent to Merge, Effective July 1, 2026

Unification ensures the continuation of culturally responsive and trauma-informed mental health services for 750 Twin Cities young people and families and preserves 18 direct service positions

Minneapolis, Minn. – Change Inc., a Minneapolis-based nonprofit provider of relationship-based education, training, and healing programs for children, youth, young adults, and their families, today announced that it is merging with Minneapolis-based nonprofit Watercourse Counseling, a provider of therapy services to adults, children, and adolescents in clinic and Minneapolis schools. Effective July 1, 2026, Watercourse will join Change Inc.’s Community & School Collaborative program, with a unified focus on clinical, school-based, and related therapies and services.

The merged workforce will ensure stability and continuation of care for more than 750 clients and 20 institutional partners, including the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Hennepin County, the University of Minnesota, and Minneapolis Public Schools. Change Inc. will also continue operation of the community-based clinic at 3548 Bryant Avenue South under the proposed name of Watercourse Clinic, a program of Change Inc. Three Watercourse board members will join the Change Inc. board of directors.

Founded in 2001, Watercourse has been operating a mental health clinic in South Minneapolis and school-based mental health and therapy services in 12 schools in the Minneapolis Public School District. Watercourse is recognized for its CIRCLE Project (Collaboration for Immigrant & Refugee Children's Leadership & Excellence) which addresses systemic barriers – such as linguistic gaps, affordability, and stigma – that may prevent immigrant and refugee families from accessing mental health care. Despite community mental health care innovations like the CIRCLE Project, Watercourse struggled with the loss of contract funding, a decline in philanthropic revenue, and an increase in under- or uninsured patients.

“Watercourse and Change Inc. have collaborated for many years. Our shared values include a commitment to community, celebrating diversity, and ‘relationships as the key to change,’” says Jill Johnson Skalbeck, Executive Director of Change Inc., which last year served more than 1,600 people across its core programs which include school-based mental health, GAP School for youth and young adults, and Change Institute. “This merging of organizations comes at a time when many nonprofit organizations face continued threats to their long-term stability. Our goal is to come together for and with community to continue supporting the children, youth, young adults, and families that need these important services.”

About Change Clinic

The Watercourse Counseling Center in South Minneapolis will be Change Inc.’s third community-based outpatient clinic. The Change Clinic currently operates out of two locations, one in Northeast Minneapolis and a second on the West Side of St. Paul, with a team of 16 culturally and linguistically diverse clinicians who are trained in a wide range of therapeutic techniques and approaches, many specializing in specific challenges or populations.

The Change Clinic is a community mental health center focused on providing relational and systemic therapy for children, youth, adults, couples, and families. The clinic specializes in treating trauma, life transitions, and barriers to well-being, with a focus on serving individuals and families facing systemic challenges, including those related to poverty and racism. The Change Clinic offers a variety of modalities that foster healing and growth, including play therapy, substance-use assessments and counseling, and group therapy, as well as specialized options like Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, and EMDR.

About Change Inc.

Change Inc. emerged when two community-based organizations, with deep roots serving individuals experiencing systemic poverty, racism, and inequities that prevented families from realizing their full potential since the 1960s, merged with a shared vision. The foundation of our approach is that relationships are the key to change. Change Inc.’s program activities, based on strong relationships and trust, holistically ensure our students are academically, socially, and emotionally equipped to succeed in school and life. Learn more or make a contribution at www.thechangeinc.org.  

# # #