The best partnerships aren’t built on what you get, but what you give — and there’s a lot of giving happening in the decades-long partnership between Eden Prairie Schools and Wooddale Church. It’s become an outstanding model of the possibilities that come alive through intentional, community-focused collaboration. 

The church has supported countless Eden Prairie families over the years. Members have tutored students, donated school supplies, sponsored meal programs and outfitted families with gear to weather Minnesota’s frigid winters. No matter the request, Wooddale is there — because, at its core, the partnership is all about service. 

“Wooddale is deeply committed to serving our local community,” said Kathy Girthofer, associate director of the Family Resource Initiative at the church. “We’re called to love our neighbors and our community. Given Eden Prairie Schools’ dedication to its students and families, it was only natural that a strong partnership would develop.” 

Supporting students and families

Wooddale’s first area of focus is working alongside Eden Prairie Schools staff to ensure students’ basic needs are met so they can focus on learning. “I feel like I could reach out to Wooddale for anything,” said Reta Johnson, the district’s family resources coordinator and homeless and foster care liaison. “Wooddale has helped so much.” 

Many students and families directly feel the impact at back-to-school time. For many years, Wooddale donations have supported learners at Eden Lake Elementary and Central Middle School (CMS). Members lead the full process from donation drives to delivery at Eden Lake, and they provide a cash donation to CMS. This past year, Wooddale increased its cash donation to $8,000, serving more middle schoolers than ever before. In total, 435 students benefited from last year’s efforts. 

Wooddale’s support has also been crucial for an increasing number of families facing housing insecurity. In the 2023-24 school year, when Johnson identified more than 230 students experiencing homelessness, Wooddale wanted to help. 

“They hear from me every year that the need is growing,” Johnson said. “In 2023, they approached Superintendent Swanson and said, ‘What else can we do?’” 

Meetings between Wooddale Senior Pastor Kyle Robinson, Superintendent Dr. Josh Swanson and local service providers fostered collaboration to combat the housing challenges faced by Eden Prairie families. With an army of volunteers, Wooddale launched the Family Resource Initiative, which offers what Girthofer describes as “wrap-around” care for families across the Eden Prairie community. The initiative takes a holistic approach to meeting people where they are and providing support to set them up for a brighter future. From a clothing closet stocked with new, free clothing to services like rental assistance and financial coaching, no need is too big or too small. 

“We felt compelled to do more,” Girthofer said. “We wanted to create a lasting change in the community.” 

Partnering to reach each

Nearly 15 years ago, Wooddale helped launch Baro Tutoring. Baro, which means “learn” in Somali, was a collaborative initiative to support Somali students and their families. On a weekly basis, Wooddale and City Hill Church members provided tutoring at the Eden Prairie Library. 

“At a time when we had a larger number of students who were new to the country and English language learners, I remember the Baro after-school help program was an important — sometimes the only — resource available to some of our families,” said Ahmed Noor, the district’s Somali communications specialist. “This support helped many students transition smoothly and succeed academically.”

One of Baro’s biggest champions was Linda Bergman, a former Forest Hills Elementary teacher and Wooddale member. When Baro needed a new home in 2018, Bergman reached out to Molly Malone (‘03), the district’s director of community engagement and alumni relations, to explore a partnership with the district. 

Baro leaders worked with district staff to build a new program housed in Eden Prairie Schools and made possible by community tutors: Eagle Study 

Sessions and Family Learning Nights. Baro volunteers continued to provide the backbone of tutor support for students, and increased district resources allowed for expanded programming. Tutoring became available to all students, and parents could enroll in an English class or other courses while their children received tutoring. 

Many of the church’s tutors still continue to make a difference for hundreds of students districtwide through Eagles Homework Help & Tutoring. Though program names and locations have changed, Wooddale’s support remains steadfast. 

Creating lasting legacy

“When the district reaches out to us, we say, ‘Yes!’” Girthofer said. “We make a lasting impact — and we do it together.”

This mission-driven, collaborative partnership makes a real difference for the Eden Prairie community. The proof is in the numbers: Wooddale’s Family Resource Initiative served more than 450 people in 2024, and most were Eden Prairie Schools families. In spring 2025, 11 families received rental assistance and wrap-around support to combat housing insecurity. Wooddale continuously seeks new ways to contribute, including through a partnership with Forest Hills Elementary that pairs adults with students to provide mentoring, tutoring and more. The partnership highlights Wooddale’s unwavering generosity — and affirms the power of giving back.

Girthofer sums it up best: “We love our partnership with the district. It’s not so much what we do to support them, but that we’re there to support them. It’s a blessing.”

If you’re an Eden Prairie Schools family interested in receiving support from Wooddale Church, or want to contribute to help those in need, email Reta Johnson at reta_johnson@edenpr.org to learn more.