“I don’t like to live in the past because the past can’t do nothing but keep you in the past. I like looking to the future now, because I can see it. At first, I couldn’t see it. I’ve been shot nine times, stabbed, stole from and left for dead because that’s the lifestyle that […]
Deb joined House of Charity in December of 2018 as our new CEO/Executive Director. She came to us with years of experience working with the same communities we serve. In the short time she has been here, we have seen great changes and we’re looking forward to where she’ll guide our organization in the future. […]
Our hungry neighbors in Minneapolis walk through our Food Centre doors every day and expect to get out of the dangerous heat or cold and eat their meal in peace. They don’t expect fights. They don’t expect an intoxicated individual creating a dangerous situation. But sometimes that’s what they get. We’re changing that. For a […]
written by Paige Dobmeier, HoC client advocate The other day, a man came into our office and was looking for some direction. He left, instead, with a connection. Coming from a local shelter, he wanted to know what his next step should be to find housing. He shared his recent experiences with staying in shelters […]
On March 13th, House of Charity staff and clients joined thousands of others in advocating for the homeless at the capitol. We met with legislators, attended hearings and connected with others who care as much for those experiencing homelessness as we do. The highlights of the legislative agenda created by the Minnesota Coalition for the […]
Our long-awaited housing project is finally rolling! Construction will begin to build 61 pet-friendly studio apartments for people experiencing long-term homelessness, along with other community spaces to expand and improve our services and the privacy of our clients. As we get closer to breaking ground in the next few months, we’ve started planning an event […]
We have a special story for you! Several years ago we spoke with Jimmie and we got to talk to him just a few weeks ago! It’s so amazing to have clients come back and share their continued success with us. Read below to see Jimmie’s story as he told to us several years ago […]
Healing Through Creativity: Jolene’s Story The power of art is amazing. The beauty and honesty of the written word, a song, or a painting can speak to someone in a way few other things can. Jolene’s life has been changed by art. When Jolene was younger she spent a lot of time drawing and writing. […]
The House of Charity Board of Directors has named experienced nonprofit leader Deborah F. Moses, DPA, MPH, as the new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the agency whose mission is to feed those in need, house those experiencing homelessness, and empower individuals to achieve independence. Moses will assume the leadership post effective December […]
“Is that my grandpa?” Every time his grandson sees a man that looks a little like Angelo, he asks his mom if it’s him. It’s been several years since Angelo and his grandson have seen each other. Those years have been tough. Since struggling with addiction, losing his home and being incarcerated, Angelo has seen […]
Community is a vital part of recovery. Support, encouragement and accountability can make the difference for someone working on recovery. Here are a few ways you can support someone in recovery from substance abuse or mental illness:Community is a vital part of recovery. Support, encouragement and accountability can make the difference for someone working on […]
Every single day of the year, we serve a hot, filling meal to every single person who walks through our Food Centre doors. We are working hard to end hunger and we found a group of people with the same goal! On Thanksgiving morning, we will be joining 13 other organizations and hundreds of walkers […]
In our Day by Day substance use disorder and mental health recovery program, we believe that caring for the whole person is the most important part of recovery. Our holistic approach to the treatment of co-occurring disorders has the ability to restore the mind, body, and spirit through such program components as: Personalized Recovery Plans […]
written by Greg Owen, HoC Board Member I remember one of my first interviews with a homeless man in Minneapolis. He had been on the streets for a long time and his face told the story of the hard life he had lived. He did not smile much, gave one or two word answers to […]
It’s amazing how healing a few minutes in the dirt can be. Studies have proven that gardening is good for your health beyond the obvious exercise benefits; it’s good for your brain. Exercise itself can help your mental health, but so can exercising your green thumb. Many mental illness and addiction treatment centers have started […]
How many times have you been homeless? For most of us, that answer would be never. We have never experienced the fear of not knowing where we’ll sleep at night. We’ll never understand the shame of experiencing something that is surrounded by stigma. Tika has experienced that three times. Three times she has found herself […]
The power of a purple button. You’re thinking to yourself, how does a purple button have any power? I witnessed first-hand how two purple buttons brought a grown man named Tony, to tears. Tears of joy because his favorite shirt that he’d had for years and was missing two purple buttons, was finally repaired. He […]
Todd joined House of Charity as our Chief Program Officer in February. Before that, he worked at Pride Institute for 11 years, the last five of which he served as the Director of Clinical Services. I’ve been asked by many people “Why do you want to work at House of Charity?” The answer is deeply […]
House of Charity has raised $11 million, enough funds to begin construction of the housing building as soon as spring of 2019! With the October 2017 approval of $8 million in funds from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency restricted to housing, we have the funds to build 61 studio apartments for people experiencing long-term homelessness, […]
On March 6, a team of 18 people from House of Charity joined over 1000 other individuals at the state Capitol to advocate for affordable housing. Staff, clients (a first for us), and board members met with their legislators to talk about the importance of supporting Minnesota’s housing continuum by emphasizing the importance of funds […]
written by Kyle Lipinski, Women’s Counselor and MICD Intern As fall approaches, I find myself reflecting on the kindness I can expect from strangers as cold season looms nearer. When I have a cold, I can expect offers of cough drops, tissues, and advice. I will receive condolences and well-wishes. My coworkers will encourage […]
As President Trump and Congress continue to work toward finalizing the 2018 budget, the homeless, and those who advocate for the homeless, look on in fear. The proposed budget for 2018, which could go into effect on October 1, has cuts which would be devastating to people experiencing homelessnes and hunger every day. The proposed […]
Hello House of Charity Community! My name is Nicole. I’m excited to be your Community Engagement Coordinator. In my first few weeks, I’ve been struck by the love and devotion of everyone involved in making House of Charity successful. It is inspiring to work with volunteers and build connections with organizations that envision the same […]
Jacqueline is a woman who exudes joy, strength and determination. When you speak with her, her words are covered in kindness and her face is always filled with a smile. But it hasn’t always been that way. Almost ten years ago, Jacqueline’s mother died and her world crumbled. Jacqueline had given up her home and career […]
If you were sick, could you get better by continuing to work or by not resting properly? If you broke a bone, would it ever mend if you kept using it? The answer is no. So why is addiction and mental health treatment considered any different? Why is only one problem addressed while others are […]
Addicted to drugs and with his life falling apart, Steve travelled from Chicago to Minneapolis to find a treatment program. A friend suggested and generously gifted Steve with a bus ticket, which began a decade of upward momentum toward independence. Steve recalls that the first thing he saw after getting to Minneapolis was the Metrodome. He climbed out of […]
Work Harder. Try Harder. Do Better. These clichéd stigmas follow those in poverty in American culture. The thought is that poor people just need to pull themselves out of poverty—by their bootstraps, or the loops sewn atop boots to help pull them on. But is pulling yourself up and out of poverty all by yourself […]
In order to learn about our guests at House of Charity’s Food Centre, we survey the men and women on a quarterly basis. We ask simple questions to gain basic information about the guests’ lives and reasons for coming for meals there. We wanted to share a bit about how frequently our guests utilize the Food Centre. […]
The 2017 Legislative Session is well underway. House of Charity supports the legislative agenda for “Homes for All,” “Prosperity for All,” and “Restore the Vote.” Homes for All The “Homes for All” initiative is pushing for two major initiatives: 2017 “Homes for All” Legislative Request “Homes for All” requests an additional $30 million in the […]
,HOC’s free meals at the Food Centre help meet the challenges faced by working families. The above statistics show why people struggle to feed their families on limited incomes, even when the head of household is working hard. For a family of four in Minnesota, the average cost of groceries per month is $900. For families […]
Terry’s was a life marked with unthinkable trauma, sadness, and loss. By the time he’d reached his current 84 years, he’d experienced more than most could fathom. From serving his country in the army, to surviving 30 Minnesota winters on the streets, Terry had encountered devastating life experiences, one after another. Each cut like a knife, slicing off […]
Melvin’s story tells of his partnership with House of Charity in his life transformation: “There comes a time when you realize whatever cycle you have been in needs to stop. Stay clean. Go to school. Do whatever you need to do. Find programs like House of Charity.” For over 20 years, Melvin worked as a professional […]
Be sure to check out all our “2016 Ask the Expert Series” videos. We have continued the popular series started last year. We found a new voice, Jennifer’s, to tell this story about an exceptionally strong woman and her experience of homelessness, how she got in touch with House of Charity, and how she was […]
Give to the Max Day is November 17th! We are inviting you to pre-schedule a gift now, and “avoid the lines” at the GiveMN website. Every dollar donated to House of Charity allows us to Feed, House and Empower our clients/guests. From purchasing food, to delivering case management, to providing a new pillow, our […]
Did you know that mental health disorders can reduce life expectancy by 10 to 20 years? That is as much as or even more than smoking over 20 cigarettes a day? The mortality risk for women with postpartum depression was more than seven times higher than that of a heavy smoker. People with substance […]
One of the people connected with House of Charity the longest isn’t an employee, it’s a client! We sat down with Kyle to talk about his personal journey on the path for a sustainable recovery, and also how House of Charity has grown over the years. Q: When did you first use services […]
A great number of people who suffer from long-term homelessness also suffer from mental illness and addiction. In fact, according to the 2015 Wilder Research Study on Homelessness specifically for Hennepin County in Minnesota: 54.6% of people experiencing homelessness have a mental illness, 18.3% have a substance abuse problem, and 15.8% have a dual mental […]
We all know that a regular shower is important for maintaining good hygiene. People experiencing homelessness need regular hygiene, because they are consistently exposed to the elements. Those experiencing homelessness spend much of their time in public places, such as subways, parks, and buses. In these places, they encounter every kind of virus and germ. […]
Fifteen Executives from United Health Group came to our Food Centre to assist in a large scale meal prep project. From dicing peppers, to preparing 600+ burritos, to preparing the next two days lunches, our volunteers from United Health tackled their tasks with a smile on their face, and willingness to help in their hearts. […]
September is #HungerActionMonth. Help us feed those most in need in Minneapolis by purchasing a “Feed. House. Empower.” t-shirt. All proceeds support our Food Centre which serves free meals to the public 365 days a year and is the only free lunch program in Minneapolis that is open seven days a week. On average, 11,500 […]
House of Charity is highlighted on the www.pollenmidwest.org website. Pollen “helps people break down barriers to build better connected communities.” See story and more about Pollen at: https://www.pollenmidwest.org/opportunities/house-of-charity/ Expanding Hope for the Homeless Sep 6, 2016 Words by Meher Khan “How would your life change if you got sick? If medical couldn’t cover your bills? […]
SPECIAL THANKS to Lloyd’s Barbeque and the Hormel Corporation for their generous gift of $5,000 for our Food Centre! Lloyd’s Barbeque and the Hormel Corporation have been supporting our Food Centre since 2014. Their support will help us feed thousands of people this year. While the economy appears to be improving the need for our […]
The Chemical and Mental Health Treatment program at House of Charity is an excellent gender-specific outpatient treatment option for men and women struggling with substance abuse or a dual diagnosis. Through evidence-based practices facilitated thorough system of phases and sliding scale payment options, treatment at House of Charity is comprehensive, affordable and definitely worth pursuing. Read […]
House of Charity is highlighted in The Journal article. The Journal is “The News Source for Downtown & Northeast Minneapolis Residents”. A refuge for those in need By NATE GOTLIEB JUNE 30, 2016 House of Charity has served the poor for more than six decades Melvin Lewis worked for more than 20 years as a professional […]
House of Charity is thrilled to announce a new position available for Chief Program Director. Please help us share this posting. Thank You! http://redseat.com/positions/2016/7/1/chief-program-director-dynamic-non-profit-serving-people-in.html
NEWS FROM THE HEART OF THE CITY Rodney’s Story: Transforming Assumptions Growing up in the small town of Middleton, in rural Ohio, Rodney struggled with addiction for most of his life. “Everywhere I went to try to run away from my drug issues, they just followed me.” Staying clean was an ongoing challenge. During the […]
Benefit Pops Concert Northern Lights Chorale Date: Saturday, April 23, 2016 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1900 7th St. NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 Free admission! Donations to benefit House of Charity! Food and Fellowship afterwards! Come and bring a friend for an enjoyable afternoon of music! View this video of […]
Having a heart for helping the homeless who are recovering from chemical dependency issues, HOC recognizes the need for and value of teaming up our donors’ compassion, with insightful planning, and the will to make a difference through our outpatient day by day program. It is important to know that with the right programs, people […]
Save the date and sign up today! Join House of Charity and participate in Homeless Day on the Hill to raise your political voice in homelessness advocacy. Talk with your legislators about the vital importance that stable affordable housing has on a person’s independence. #Homes4All Who: Hundreds of Minnesotans from across the state and YOU What: […]
Thank you Federal Home Loan Bank and Bremer Bank for your generous donation to HOC! Thank you Bremer Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank for awarding a $500,000 donation to HOC and the Community Housing Development Corporation that will go towards our new expansion project in Downtown Minneapolis. Also, we send our many thanks to Keith […]
In addition to needing to work 68 hours a week, very few one-bedroom apartments are available at a fair market rate of $796 per month. The lack of affordable housing for minimum wage workers contributes to the homelessness crisis. Currently at House of Charity, we have more than 50 men and women on a waiting […]
House of Charity hosts holiday meals! Thanks to our many volunteers who have donated their time, hearts, and funds to make the season a special time and to make our holiday meals possible! Thanks also to Holy Family Maronite Church for giving gifts for kids! At House of Charity, we couldn’t do it […]
We thank Meet Minneapolis for selecting House of Charity to be the beneficiary of the Giving Tree at the new Minneapolis Visitors Center! For more information, check out this news release about the new Visitor Center.
Can you help with a donation of toiletries for our clients? At this time of year, at House of Charity, we get calls about whether or not we need toiletries for the clients. When we are thinking of the giving of gifts and the giving of thanks, why not help out HOC by donating to […]
On Saturday, November 21st, 2015, the 26th Annual Uptown Coffee Festival will be held at Calhoun Square from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The Uptown Coffee Festival is hosted by Kitchen Window. More than 3,000 people come to sample coffee, tea, cocoa, and gourmet food at more than 40 tasting stations. For the past 5 years, Kitchen Window has […]
Give to the Max Day is the great Minnesota give-together: a day when thousands of Minnesotans raise millions of dollars for local nonprofits. We have a goal of $10,000 to purchase 10 new bed units for our Transitional Housing Program. The cost for a complete unit is $1,058 and includes a steel bed frame, […]
Support House of Charity with a gift through your will or estate. House of Charity recently received two bequests from donors who had supported House of Charity with modest annual gifts during their lifetime, but wanted to leave a lasting legacy to House of Charity through their wills. One of the simplest planned gifts is a […]
As one of our generous supporters, you affect the lives of the more than 350 people who visit our Food Centre every day. We depend upon you to serve the hungry in the Minneapolis area. Despite the improved economy, hunger and the need for meals every day has increased. We have served almost 2000 more […]
We have served 2,000 more meals so far this year compared to 2014! Despite the improvements in our economy, House of Charity has witnessed an increased need for our free public meal program at our Food Centre. Sounds like love.” Daisy Rose says about the atmosphere at the Food Centre. Sometimes the meal at the […]
Mosaic has renewed their generous challenge match! Special thanks to The Mosaic Company for renewing a 1:1 challenge match on all new and increased donations up to $20,000. Double your gift today! Click here to donate to House of Charity and match your gift!
House of Charity has a fun dine-out for a cause at Granite City in St. Louis Park on May 28. Click the image (below) to print your own copy of the flyer to take to get your donation:
With more permanent supportive housing with case management services to address each person’s barriers to maintaining housing, the more people will be independent and no longer homeless,” said Bert Winkel. When a person is placed into permanent supportive housing it opens up a bed in transitional housing, which opens up a bed at a homeless […]
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, House of Charity is grateful to the wonderful service provided by our amazing volunteers. Thanks to our 2,914 volunteers contributing 5,701 hours of service, we provided 135,383 meals at our Food Centre. Thank you, to our faithful volunteers!! THANK YOU to our Civic Group Volunteers!! House of Charity […]
Homes for All An investment of $39 million would serve communities across the state: • Reduce chronic homelessness, hence reducing the cost of jails, emergency rooms, shelter, and detox facilities. • Every public dollar invested in supportive housing returns $1.44. • Prevent and end homelessness for an additional 4,836 households and develop or rehabilitate over […]
House of Charity’s Housing First program is a permanent supportive housing program where our clients move into their own permanent apartments. In 2014 Housing First housed 117 people, and the program has met and surpassed our goals. Goal from our Spring 2014 Newsletter: Our goal is to continue to develop partnerships and register several buildings […]
“I got to see and learn a lot during my travels.” From Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and finally to Minnesota; Edmund has been many places and seen many things. Still his vivaciousness for life is infectious. Edmund’s story starts in 1988. My mom passed away when I was 17 years old, and I guess that’s really […]
Hundreds of lovingly hand-tied blankets were made on Saturday, February 7, 2015, during the 10th Annual “For the Love of Peyton” Blanket Party. House of Charity board members and staff participated in the blanket making event (pictured are Bert Winkel, Executive Director, Lesley Chester, Fund Development and Communications Director, and Linda Brooks (Lesley’s mom). […]
What is the MLK Day of Service? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. The MLK Day of Service is […]
Join us for the Uptown Coffee Festival Saturday November 22nd 10:00 AM! At: Kitchen Window and Calhoun Square Kitchen Window, Nespresso, and Calhoun Square join forces with us, at House of Charity, to help raise enough money to feed over 10,000 people. This popular event, the 25th Annual Uptown Coffee Festival, will take place on November 22, […]
Several years ago, Kip was introduced to the House of Charity Food Centre through a volunteer opportunity with his employer, Wells Fargo. The experience volunteering at House of Charity, combined with Kip’s long-time passion for giving back to the community, led him to build a team of his colleagues to begin serving on a monthly […]
Phillip, a devoted father and husband, moved with his wife and children from Chicago to Minneapolis on November 12, 2013, to try and provide a better life for all of them. Unfortunately, the move did not provide the opportunity, on its own, to change the family’s circumstances. While initially Phillip and his wife had a […]
The House of Charity has received a generous challenge match! Special thanks to The Mosaic Company for offering a 1:1 challenge match on all new and increased donations up to $20,000. Double your gift today! Click here to donate to House of Charity and match your gift!
In addition to our internal efforts to provide more permanent supportive housing, House of Charity is actively involved in legislative advocacy to address solutions for homelessness. The year 2014 marks the second session of Homes for All, an alliance that works to advance policy initiatives that lead to housing stability in Minnesota. This year, the Prosperity for All alliance was created out […]
I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for House of Charity. My family would have buried me two years ago—I would have frozen to death in my car.” Jennifer had been living in her car for two years before finally asking for help from her primary care physician who referred her to House of Charity. About eight years ago, Jennifer suffered a […]
For over two decades, Kitchen Window’s Uptown Coffee Festival has been an extremely popular event, drawing more than 1,000 Twin Cities residents to the Uptown area each year. House of Charity is pleased to announce that for the third year in a row, we have been named as the charity partner and will receive a […]
A Compilation of Stories & Experiences from Food Centre Guests CJ: When CJ first came to the Food Centre she was homeless and looking for community resources. CJ knew that she needed to do something positive to get out of the lifestyle she was in, so she started school at MCTC and began volunteering at the Food Centre. CJ […]
Mike has worked at House of Charity for over 10 years. His current title is Outreach and Volunteer Director, but he started as the Food Service Manager. Over the course of a decade, faces and programs have changed, but the need for assistance, sadly, is stronger than ever. “Ultimately, the goal of any agency which provides […]
Win two tickets to Saturday Night at The Basilica Block Party, compliments of House of Charity. What do the Basilica Block Party and House of Charity have in common? Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty! In 2010, Rob Thomas and his wife Marisol, through their Sidewalk Angels Foundation, made a gift to support the work of House […]
Denise found herself homeless in 2006 when she was evicted for not paying the rent—she had used her money for drugs and alcohol, instead. Over the course of the next six years, Denise struggled. She lived in friends’ homes, emergency shelters, treatment centers, and sober housing. Unfortunately, she did not maintain her sobriety and was taken to detox […]
In-Pulse CPR donated CPR, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training to all of our staff! We are so grateful to be able to continue to provide a safe and respectful environment here at House of Charity for our employees, clients, and guests. Thank you, In-Pulse CPR!
Don’t be afraid to ask for second chances. You may be afraid, but you may be surprised at what you can accomplish.” On September 6th, House of Charity participated in Operation Recovery 2012: Erasing Stigmas, an event held on the campus of Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) and sponsored by their student-led Addiction Counseling […]
Board Member Dustin Chapman This November, at their annual meeting, the Board of Directors recognized outgoing Board member Dustin Chapman’s six years of service to House of Charity. Dustin, who is currently Behavioral Services Liaison with Fairview, was recruited to the Board because of his knowledge and experience in chemical dependency treatment programs. Dustin […]
Support House of Charity during the Great Minnesota GIVE Together! November 15th is Give to the Max Day! As you know, House of Charity is making a difference every day by providing food, housing, and a way forward to struggling individuals in the Minneapolis community. Your generous support is greatly appreciated by the increasing numbers of people […]
No one has ever helped me like this before. No one has ever helped me like the people at House of Charity.” House of Charity’s mission statement is: Feed those in need, house those experiencing homelessness, and empower individuals to achieve independence. Staff, volunteers, and donors play an important role in helping us carry […]
More homeless people — particularly families — are knocking on the doors of emergency shelters in Minneapolis and elsewhere this fall than last. A continuing shortage of affordable housing tied to mortgage foreclosures and the North Minneapolis tornado is squeezing low-income persons onto the streets and into shelters, advocates for the homeless say. The Minneapolis […]
“A Night to Unite” event VIDEO from The Star Tribune Editor’s Picks http://video.startribune.com/a-night-to-unite/169414216/#/169414216/video/1/eps
