45 days or bust!

Eight DCEH representatives met to clarify the work of the DCEH, taking what was learned from the first three years of DCEH. Over four, one and a half hour meetings, we asked deeper questions about our vision as an organization, the core of our mission, what is realistic for us to accomplish, and clarifying the structure to make that happen.

Imam Makram El-Amin of Masjid An-Nur, Rev. Dr. Tim Hart-Andersen of Westminster Presbyterian, Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer from Central Lutheran, Rev. Dr. Jeff Sartain from Plymouth Congregational, Rabbi Sim Glaser from Temple Israel, Janice Andersen from the Basilica of Saint Mary, Rev. Doug Mitchell from Westminster Presbyterian, and Debby Magnuson from First Unitarian Society, were the eight dedicated people who delved deeper into the these questions.  Below is what the Task Force established for the DCEH as we move forward.  In the next month, we will develop our strategy of how to move forward our vision, mission and work into 2013 and beyond. 

Who We Are: As a faith partner of Heading Home Hennepin, we represent 16 congregations creating an interfaith community to support the work of ending homelessness in Minneapolis

Vision:  Everyone has access to decent, safe, and affordable housing in Minneapolis

Mission: To engage our congregations and communities in the work of ending homelessness

Values:

• Every person has inherent dignity
• Housing is a Human Right
• Our commitment to the common good requires us to take action to end homelessness
• Interfaith collaboration

Our Work:  

• Inspire: Call people to take action based on religious values
• Educate: Strengthen awareness of the issues of homelessness and appropriate solutions
• Advocate: Build the public will for policy change
• Serve: Coordinate delivery of services among congregations.

DCEH Member Congregations:

• Commit themselves to being an active partner, in full support of the mission, vision, and values of DCEH has defined above.
• Select a representative to participate as an active member of the Steering Committee (church staff are ideal, but in lieu of staff an established lay member may be selected)
• Select a representative to participate as an active member of the Interfaith Action Team (an established lay member is ideal)
• Contribute time and money commensurate with the congregations’ ability, size, and annual budget
• Create opportunities within their congregation for carrying out the DCEH strategize goals
• Receive dedicated DCEH staff time

Advisory Seat of the DCEH

Is from the Office to End Homelessness, is a nonvoting member of the Steering Committee, to provide direct connection and communication from the Heading Home Hennepin Initiative.

DCEH Network:

Community partners include congregations and organizations that are actively engaged in the work of ending homelessness and which collaborate as partners with DCEH to carry out the DCEH vision and mission, defined above. Some community partners include: Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation, St. Stephen’s Community Engagement, etc. The role of the DCEH Network is to provide consultation to our strategic work and provide us updates and information regarding their perspective of ending homelessness in the community. To fulfill this role, partners may be contacted individually for consultation, invited to Steering Committee meetings or a separate partner meeting, etc.

What You Can Do

Ask Candidates About Housing.

Hang this flyer on your door knob or near your phone. Ask the questions on the other side when a candidate (or their representative) calls, knocks on your door, or attends a forum.

VOTE! Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

Questions to Ask Candidates

1. The Metropolitan Council predicts that the Twin Cities region will need an additional 50,000 units of affordable housing by 2020. Where does housing fall on your list of priorities?

2. Full-time low-wage workers can’t afford housing in this community. What are your thoughts about that?

3. Homelessness in Minnesota has quadrupled in the last 20 years. What are your thoughts?