History

In the Beginning

Vail Place is named after Dr. David Vail, a national pioneer in promoting the humanitarian treatment of people with mental illnesses in community-based settings.

President Lyndon Johnson presenting Dr. Vail with an award for his efforts on behalf of new mental health legislation.
1980

Most Minnesotans with mental illness had been moved out of institutions. A group of mental health professionals and community leaders, realizing the critical need for community-based services, chose the “Clubhouse Model” as the best approach to meet this need.

First Vail Place Clubhouse opens on Hopkins Main Street, August 1981
1988

Responding to the growing need for community-based mental health services, Vail Place opened a second Clubhouse location in Uptown Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser officiates at the Clubhouse dedication.
1989

Vail Place is awarded contracts by Hennepin County to run two of their seven Community Support Programs (CSPs).

1993

Renovations of Triplex are completed and provide affordable housing for seven Vail Place members. This marks a new stage in the development of our housing services, which will see ongoing, significant growth.

Triplex apartment building in St. Louis Park donated to Vail Place.
1998

Vail Place begins to expand beyond its Clubhouse roots when it enters into a collaboration with State and County staff to provide multi-disciplinary coordination of services through Team Case Management.

Vail Place “Team of the Lakes” case managers at our Minneapolis location.
2002

Opening of Vail in the Park, an 8-unit apartment building in St. Louis Park that provides low-cost, permanent, supported housing for adults with serious mental illnesses.

Open House for Vail in the Park in St. Louis Park.
2006

Vail Place collaborations grow as federal and state funding support onsite supportive housing services in Hopkins public housing and rental assistance for long-term homeless in St. Louis Park.

Dow Towers in Hopkins
2011

Purchased an electronic health records software system to increase program effectiveness and enhance data tracking and analysis.

2015

Hopkins facility totally renovated and building next door purchased and renovated to provide needed space for existing programs and planned, strategic expansion

2016

Acquired Vail House (formerly Cabrini Transitional House), a 23-bed Group Residential Housing (GRH) facility in Minneapolis that provides transitional housing and support services for homeless adults with mental illness and chemical dependency needs.

Vail House – 1025 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
2017

Launched Vail Care, a Medicaid-certified behavioral health home services program that helps people with complex mental and physical health needs set goals and strategies to manage their overall health.