Annual
Report Fiscal
Year 2013
Annual
Report Fiscal
Year 2013
Vision and Mission of the
DCEH
Letter from Steering
Committee Chair and DCEH Director
Hosted The Unite to
End Homelessness
Not having the basic
necessities of life such as a place to live is a harsh reality for far too many
people throughout Minnesota. A high point of DCEH activity in 2013 was
the first annual Unite to End Homelessness event held on the afternoon of
September 22nd. This was an absolutely phenomenal and vitally
important event for so many reasons.
Members of DCEH congregations
interacted with 9 social service organizations supporting people
experiencing homelessness, people expert in issues around homelessness,
and experts in advocacy. 
A beautiful fall day
allowed participants to be outdoors, listening to excellent music by 2
bands - Lynhurst as well as Steve Kaul and Friends, eat food,
listen to spoken word poetry by Julia Dinsmore and Tottiana
Adams, and create group art with the Artist in Residence at Luther
Seminary, Emilie Bouvier, as well as Kulture Klub. These
activities allowed participants to learn about homelessness in a
different, experiential way. Continued Advocacy
Efforts
Attended Day on the
Hill
For the fifth year in a row, our DCEH advocates attended
the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) Day on the Hill on February 21,
2013, to advocate for people experiencing homelessness and living in poverty.
á
Over 65 people from DCEH congregations attended
to meet and raise their voice with their legislators about policies to provide
housing stability, including the Homes for All ask of $50 million for housing
and homeless programs and an increase to minimum wage.
á
Twenty-five people from DCEH congregations
carpooled together to the Day on the Hill.
á
DCEH received the honor of the Interfaith
Social Justice Community Award from JRLC for our organizing and advocacy
efforts. The Award recognizes work done in an interfaith context
that moves members of a community to effective public action.
Organized Faith Action Reflection Advocacy Event
This fall, we piloted a new
program, which brings people across faiths together to participate in a service
project, reflect on how the service is an act of faith, and lastly, to advocate
together for systems change. Our first event was held on October 27th
at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The participants assisted with the Sunday
evening community meal held on the fourth Sunday of the month at Westminster.
á The
evening began with faith sharing by each participant.
á The
volunteers served the meal to over 300 people, a record number, with 19 DCEH
participants delivering plates of food and providing hospitality.
á Following
the meal, the group sat down and discussed their experience with each other,
the service, and how their faith intertwines with service.
á The
event ended by sharing their story with people in power and advocating for
increasing funds for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund with Minneapolis City Councilmembers
as well as calling the Governor asking for $100 Million for Housing.
Hosted Journey Home: Legislative KickOff evenT
"10
people can make a movement!" – Frank Hornstein
To prepare for the 2013 legislative session, advocates
came together for inspiration, to learn about the 2013 Legislative agenda for
the session, and equip advocates with skills needed to speak with their public
officials about housing and homelessness.
á
Rep. Hornstein provided amazing
inspiration about the importance and accessibility of citizen involvement in
the political process.
á
Over 70 people gathered together from
DCEH congregations.
á
To build skills, Liz Kuoppala from Minnesota Coalition
for the Homeless trained DCEH advocates on the 2013 Legislative Agenda to
increase housing and homeless services, Marcia Avner of Avner Consulting trained
about building a relationship with your legislators, and Janice Andersen from
the Basilica of Saint Mary provided training on crafting your message and
sharing your story with people in power.
co-sponsored Mayoral debate
With a new slate of mayoral candidates all vying for the
open seat of Mayor of Minneapolis, we saw an opportunity to engage the
candidates in conversation about the future of Minneapolis with affordable
housing and economic development. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity,
Metropolitan Consortium for Community Developers, and Catholic Charities, the
DCEH hosted a spirited forum on the candidateÕs visions for housing
affordability in the city of Minneapolis. Over 100 people attended to hear from
the eight top candidates, which included Councilmember Betsy Hodges, Jackie
Cherryhomes, Bob Fine, Councilmember Don Samuels, Mark Andrew, Dan Cohen,
Stephanie Woodruff, and Cam Winton.
Hosted Four Cross-Congregational Direct Service VoLunteer
Trainings
The
cross-congregational trainings continued based on the popularity and interest
of the volunteers of the direct services in four DCEH congregations. Volunteers
gathered together four times last year for training on a variety of topics.
á 
The
trainings continued to grow in attendance from 30 to over 50 people attending.
á Relationships
were built across congregations between volunteers.
á Attendees
gained knowledge and understanding in the following areas: Negotiating
Boundaries, Managing Clients Exhibiting Challenging Behaviors, A Framework for
Understanding Poverty, and Managing Health.
HELD Sabbath to End Homelessness
Over
the course of November 8-17, DCEH congregations reflected and focused on
homelessness and housing. Each congregation organizes and implements their own
plans for their Sabbath events, which include speakers, poetry, liturgy, songs,
music, ministry fairs, panel discussions, sermons on the topic, art, and more!
This year 10 of the 14 DCEH congregations hosted a Sabbath event. See each congregational engagement
description on page 9 and 10 for their Sabbath to End Homeless activities.
Gave away bikes
In
partnership with Mr. Michaels Recycles Bicycles, the Direct Service Providers
of the DCEH gave away 15 bikes along with a helmet and a lock to participants
of our programs in 2013. Each recipient was interviewed and assessed as to how
this program would assist in their ongoing need for transportation to work,
medical appointments or for education. The recipient also attended a class
where they learned rules of the road, how to change a tire, and were fitted for
the bike to ensure a proper fit for the person. A bike can have a major impact
on a personÕs life if they have no access to transportation.
surveyed Direct
service participants
The
Direct Service Providers (DSP) of the Downtown Congregations to End
Homelessness, which include the Dignity Center of Hennepin Avenue United
Methodist, Restoration Center of Central Lutheran Church, the Social Outreach
Program of St. Olaf Catholic ChurchÕs, and St. Vincent de Paul Ministry of the
Basilica of Saint Mary, surveyed their program participants for the month of
July. The purpose of the survey was to find out what resources participants receiving
and programs they were attending as well as what gaps or areas the DCEH can
explore for a DCEH collaborative program. With over 125 people surveyed, we had
beneficial information and data about where people were connecting and what
they desired for programs in which to participate. The DSP is in the works of
taking this data and creating a DSP collaborative program.
Working with the Community
From the beginning, DCEH has worked in partnership with
other nonprofit organizations, as we believe ending homeless in Minneapolis and
Hennepin County takes all of us working together. We support the work of the
Heading Home Hennepin plan to ensure the Legislative Agenda of the DCEH is in
line with the needs and policy changes addressed by the plan. Additionally, at
the local level, the DCEH is a partner in the Downtown 2025 plan and work to
End Street Homelessness in Minneapolis. Specifically, the DCEH is part of the
Ending Homelessness Committee, engaged in Education and Public Relations
sub-committee and the Daytime Activities sub-committee.
At the state level, the DCEH is engaged with the Homes
for All Coalition that advances shared policy initiatives that lead to housing
stability for all Minnesotans.
Congregational
Engagement
Basilica of Saint Mary
The Basilica celebrated its 2013 Sabbath to End
Homelessness with a spirited and fruitful parish-wide discussion on
panhandling. A relevant question for most people who attend services at The
Basilica, we considered appropriate responses to people panhandling on our
corners. There was a panel discussion that included people who have formerly
panhandled, Outreach staff from St. Stephens Human Services, Minneapolis
Police, Church leaders, and Basilica youth. Many hearts and minds were opened
to the need for not only charity and personal responses to panhandling, but
also the need for more affordable housing, changes in laws and policies, and
systemic work for justice. Building on this experience, DCEH messages to
advocate for funding for affordable housing made it easy to bring new people
into the work of advocacy.
Central Lutheran Church
In 2013 Central Lutheran Church continued the good work of
advocating so that all our brothers and sisters can have a place to call home.
Our Heading Home Central Ministry Team gathers monthly to strategize how we can
raise awareness in the congregation about homelessness and poverty, so that
they are empowered and organized to use their prophetic voices to speak out for
justice. One of the ways we did
this was to host an adult forum for the Sabbath to end Homelessness on November
10th. We screened the film ÒThere but the Grace of God:
Responding to the Revelation.Ó Written and directed by Brenda Bell Brown,
it revealed a day in the life of a woman who was experiencing homelessness.
Brenda Bell Brown joined us for the screening and led a very engaging question
and answer session following the viewing.
The Heading Home Central Ministry Team also thanked Rolf
Lowenburg DeBoer for his many years of leadership with their team and DCEH as
he took a new position at the beginning of 2013. They also welcomed Rev.
Melissa Pohlman to their work as she began at Central Lutheran in May of 2013.
First Christian Church
In October, 2013, First
Christian Church recruited a church member to be the representative to the
Interfaith Team. This is in addition to the continued participation of Pastor
Laurie Pound-Feille on the Steering Committee of DCEH. 2013 was spent receiving training from
the DCEH Director and working with the Mission Team at First Christian to
design activities within the church that focus on the issue of
homelessness. Pastor Feille wrote
articles for the church newsletter, included the topic in her sermons and
attended Day on the Hill.
Additionally, she and the Interfaith Team member used the worship time
on November 17 as FCCÕs first Sabbath to End Homelessness, which included scripture
readings, hymns, and both Pastor Laurie and the Interfaith Team member gave the
sermon. Many comments were received
from the congregation that this was the first time they had heard such specific
information about homelessness; there were questions about what they could do
to help. The Mission Team,
comprised of Pastor Laurie and 4 church members, collected needed personal
items requested by Avenues for Homeless Youth and Harriet Tubman Shelter during
the Christmas season. Additionally,
an attempt was made to have the Puppets nÕ People installation come to the
church on a Sunday but the person in charge was not able to come on the day for
which it was arranged. The Mission
Team decided to make all mission activities in 2014 focused on the issue of
homelessness and what our congregation can do to help mitigate the issue.
First Covenant Church
During the Sabbath to End Homelessness in November 2013, Deena
McKinney from AvenueÕs for Homeless Youth was interviewed during our morning
service and Shanice, a former client of YouthLink's gave a spoken word presentation. Then we
had reps from YouthLink, The Bridge, and Avenues
speak at a forum after the service. There were approximately 300 people
during the service and 20 people at the forum afterwards.
First Unitarian Society
Over
the course of the year, First Unitarian Society (FUS) supported current
partnerships with the Dignity Center and Minneapolis Community and Technical
College (MCTC) through basic necessities donations, service projects, and
fundraising:
á For
the Dignity Center, 20 volunteers from the congregation made 400 sandwiches and
10 volunteers made 100 toiletry kits as well as 6 volunteers helped clean the
Dignity Center kitchen and files.
á For
MCTC, 30 people donated school supplies and 1,300 snack bags and sandwiches
were assembled, delivered and distributed at the MCTC Resource Center by 15
adult FUS volunteers, the high school group, and the 2nd/3rd
grade Religious Education class.
á Thirty
FUS members donated hats and gloves for People Serving People shelter
á FUS
collected 20 bags of food for YouthLink.
á In
various instances, FUS raised over $10,750 for MCTC, DCEH, Avenues for Homeless
Youth, and YouthLink.
FUS
hosted both DCEH and the Dignity Center at an ÒEat and MeetÓ education program.
FUS also educates and invites 230 people to take action who receive a
newsletter published twice a month that highlights events, action alerts, and
news related to housing and homelessness. Additionally, FUS hosted a Take Five
Table once a month during the Legislative Session from January until May.
Gethsemane Episcopal Church
During this year, Gethsemane reorganized their DCEH efforts, adding new
leaders, and added four people in their newly added advocacy network. Awareness
building was continued through regular congregational announcements during
worship. In their renewed efforts, Andrew Granias and Doug Krueger joined the
Interfaith Action Team. Three people attended JRLC Day on the Hill. Rev.
Theo Park observed the Sabbath with an impressive sermon emphasizing the need
to advocate for legislative changes to support ending homelessness.
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
During the first half of 2013, the Ending
Homelessness Education and Advocacy Team (EHEAT) engaged in a pilot Advocacy
Training program, which was designed and led by a Hennepin Avenue member, Bill
Gjetson. The program enables participants to formulate their own Ôending
homelessness pitchÕ and makes the prospect of talking to legislators less
daunting. It formed part of the
campaign to garner congregational support for the ending homelessness agenda,
which also included Sunday educational forums, Take 5 Tables, and resulted in
18 persons participating in the Day on The Hill.
EHEAT had a summer barbeque with members of the homeless
community. The resulting dialogue
provided much insight and helped members to better understand the complexities
of homeless.
The fall saw EHEAT participating
in DCEHÕs Unite to End Homelessness at Temple Israel; 19 members attended
wearing church t-shirts. EHEAT also
took part in HennepinÕs Ministry Fair by inviting congregants to briefly
immerse themselves in the homeless context by crawling into a freezer box, and
signing up to be a part of EHEATÕs Advocacy Network, which had 13 people sign
up and growing to 52 by the end of 2013.
Sabbath to End Homelessness was observed over 2 Sundays,
involving 10 outreach ministries that touch the lives of persons experiencing
poverty. On the first Sunday, Mikkel Beckmen, Director of Hennepin CountyÕs
office to End Homelessness preached a dialogue sermon with Pastor Leah Rosso,
facilitated an in-worship symbolic construction of a model home, and led a post
worship educational forum attended by 60 persons. The second Sunday saw an
appeal for more engagement in direct ministries through an in-worship
homelessness ministries video and liturgy, and a post worship discussion among
4 outreach ministries about each otherÕs work, and possible areas of
collaboration.
2013 was characterized by organization, new energy, greater
involvement of the congregation and conversation and collaboration between
outreach ministries.
Masjid Al-Iman
This year, Masjid hosted a Friday prayer service dedicated to homelessness
and the will to end it. Over 30 congregants attended the service and listened
to a sermon by Dr. Hamdy El-Sawaf discuss homelessness, build awareness of
homelessness, and describe the need for changing the system to eradicate
homelessness.
Plymouth Congregational Church
At the beginning of 2013,
Plymouth reorganized and rebuilt their advocacy efforts. A new team called
Plymouth Homelessness Advocacy Team (PHAT) was instituted as part of the Board
of Outreach.
With this rebuilding, PHAT
organized 14 people from Plymouth to attend JRLC Day on the Hill in 2013.
Additionally, the team grew their Plymouth Homelessness Advocacy Team advocate
list to over 400 people receiving actions to work for housing stability.
For the 2013, Sabbath to End
Homelessness we organized a photo advocacy campaign which engaged about 100
Plymouth members and friends, including youth, families and adults. People were
asked to write down three words to describe home and take a picture with the
words. The photos were made into an advocacy video and have been used this
session in advocacy postcards and posters. We also incorporated a message about
housing and homelessness into the First Service. The photo advocacy coupled
with the emphasis in First Service seemed to engage more families and youth
than had previously been involved.
Other events PHAT organized included:
Potluck in collaboration with our Deacons to showcase the work being done by Willie
Baptist and the Poverty Scholars at Union Theological Seminary (50-60
attendees; advocacy table and postcards) and a Social Justice Prayer Service
(70 attendees; youth choirs, group education activity and advocacy table and
postcards).
Saint Olaf Catholic
The Commission on Social Justice continued to engage the
congregants of St. Olaf to work for housing justice. With the Legislative
Session of 2013, St. Olaf participated in the
á
DCEH Legislative Kickoff with 6 attendees
á
The JRLC Day on the Hill with 3 people from
St. Olaf attending
á
One member attending the DCEH Speed
Lobbying day.
Within the Sunday morning rhythm of St. Olaf, the
Commission held Take Five tables for other members to send communications to
their Legislators about Housing and Homelessness, as well as Take Five Tables
with Exodus Residence next door that is a Supportive Housing program.
In the fall, St. Olaf began another push to build
awareness and advocate for justice in housing.
á
The DCEH Unite to End Homelessness event
educated and organized people, including 6 St. Olaf members.
á
At the end of September, a DCEH table was
displayed at a parish wide Shared Ministry event where congregants were invited
to participate in social action ministries, including Legislative Advocacy.
á
On November 10th, St. Olaf
hosted the Sabbath to End Homelessness, with 2 panel presentations from people
who had or were experiencing homelessness. Marie Ellis from Catholic Charities
spoke about the upcoming bonding bill. The total attendance was 50 persons. For two weeks prior, 2 posters were
displayed for 2 weeks, giving facts about persons impacted by homelessness from
the Wilder Report of 2012. During this time, St. Olaf signed up 25 people to
support the work of ending homelessness, including 14 people willing to
advocate at the Legislature.
á
Five St. Olaf Congregants attended the
December Homeless Memorial March to memorialize and commemorate the lives of
those who died while homeless or had experienced homelessness.
Temple Israel
The Temple Israel Committee to
End Homelessness (TICEH) began this year by gathering over 40 temple members
together to get organized. With
this, three workgroups were formed, which were dedicated to educating on
homelessness, advocating with the legislature, and finding ways to work with
direct service providers.
To educate our congregants,
TICEH conducted several Shabbat Òtake 5Ó tables, we provided information about
homelessness in the Temple eNews, we had a number of congregants take tours of
homeless shelters, and a formerly homeless congregant delivered a ÒViews From
the PewsÓ sermon on what it was like to live at the Jewish Sheltering Home (now
Avenues for Youth). On November 22nd, we held our
first Shabbat to End Homelessness which aside from educating congregants on
issues around homelessness, included the Secret Struggle art exhibit from The
Bridge for Youth and Mikkel Beckman delivering an educational talk to the
congregation on issues around homelessness; these activities led to many volunteers
signing up to participate in one of our three workgroups.
In the area of direct service,
TICEH met with The Bridge for Youth and YouthLink to explore ways that TICEH
could help support the efforts of those organizations. The result of that
activity set the course for what TICEH will do in the area of direct service in
2014. In the area of advocacy, 8 TICEH members attended the Mayoral candidate
debate to learn about the candidateÕs opinions on issues related to
homelessness.
Also, members of Temple joined Rabbi Glaser to honor the lives of homeless or
formerly homeless who passed away in 2013 at the 29th Annual Minnesota Homeless
Memorial March and Service. Additionally, Temple helped plan and hosted the
first annual Unite to End Homelessness event.
Westminster
Presbyterian Church
There
are about 150 people in the Advocacy Network that includes responding to DCEH
Action Alerts. (It also acts on other social justice issues). There
are 20 new participants this year.
20
people attended DOH. Several people told me this was the best JRLC DOH
they have attended. The Keynote speaker was excellent and the more
focused Issue Briefing and ask for legislators were helpful.
Westminster
celebrated its Sabbath to End Homelessness on October 20, 2013. Mikkel
Beckman, the Director of the Minneapolis/Hennepin County Office to End
Homelessness, led the Social Justice Forum between services (60 present).
He presented an update on Heading Home Hennepin (HHH) and talked about the reasons
some populations of homeless people are increasing. There was a good Q&A
session after his presentation. I preached on ÒThe Memory of HomeÓ at the
8:30 and 10:30 services (Isaiah 58: 1-9 James 2:14-17). I reminded
the congregation what DCEH is and what it does, talked about the reasons for
homelessness and how, directed by scripture, people of faith should respond to
people in need in their community. ÒGod makes it clear,Ó I said, Òthat we
cannot live a faithful life while continuing to serve and protect our own
interests at the expense of others.Ó I emphasized how people can get involved.
At 10:30 Mikkel Beckman shared the sermon with me. He talked
about what HHH has accomplished, what they have left to do and the importance of
the faith community to the successes of HHH.
There were three additional Social Justice
Forums on affordable housing, led by Liz Kuoppala from the MN Coalition for the
Homeless, Lee Blons from the Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, and Gina
Ciganik from Aeon. There were between 40-60 people at the forums.
Westminster
is currently working to develop 35-50 units of affordable supportive housing
for people with high rental barriers including criminal histories with Beacon,
and 150 units of affordable housing with Aeon.
Members and Leaders
|
Members of the Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness The Basilica of Saint Mary, Central Lutheran Church,
First Christian Church, First Covenant Church, First Unitarian Society,
Gethsemane Episcopal Church, Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Masjid
An-Nur, Masjid Al-Iman, Plymouth Congregational Church, St. MaryÕs Greek
Orthodox Church, St. Olaf Catholic Church, Temple Israel, Westminster
Presbyterian Church
Janice Andersen, The Basilica of
Saint Mary Rev. Melissa Pohlman, Central
Lutheran Church Rev. Dennis Sanders/Rev. Laurie
Pound-Feille, First Christian Church Shannon Williams, First Unitarian
Society Lou Schoen, Gethsemane Episcopal
Church Ann Carlson/John Cole, Hennepin
Avenue United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Jeff Sartain, Plymouth
Congregational Church Joan Miltenberger, St. Olaf
Catholic Church Rabbi Sim Glaser, Temple Israel Rev. Doug Mitchell, Westminster
Presbyterian Church Executive Team Officers of the Steering Committee Rabbi Sim Glaser, Chair, Temple
Israel Rev. Melissa Pohlman, Co-Chair,
Central Lutheran Church Rev. Dennis Sanders, Treasurer,
First Christian Church Shannon Williams, Secretary, First
Unitarian Society Community Partner Heading Home Hennepin Interfaith Team Members Kathy Andrus, The Basilica of
Saint Mary David Bayless, The Basilica of Saint
Mary Gayle Dustrud, Central Lutheran Church Jessica Kasper, First Covenant
Church Terrell Brown, First Unitarian
Society Debra Magnuson, First Unitarian
Society Andrew Granias, Gethsemane
Episcopal Church Bill Gjetson, Hennepin Avenue
United Methodist Church Yudi Rusman, Masjid Al-Iman Sarah Lehman, Plymouth
Congregational Church Kate Loe, Plymouth Congregational
Church Jessica Frehse, Plymouth
Congregational Church Ann Pannier, St. Olaf Catholic
Church Diane Erickson, St. Olaf Catholic Church Marcy Frost, Temple Israel Alan Ellison, Temple Israel Paul Rasmusson, Westminster
Presbyterian Church Advocacy Team Robert Tennessen, The Basilica of Saint Mary Terrell Brown, First Unitarian Society Mary Ann Lundquist, First Unitarian Society Dee Long, Plymouth Congregational Church Rev. Doug Mitchell, Westminster Presbyterian Church Direct Service
Provider Team Janice Andersen, The Basilica of Saint Mary Julia Freeman, The Basilica of Saint Mary Rev. Melissa Pohlman, Central Lutheran Church Ann Carlson, Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church Mary Martin, Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church Joan Miltenberger, St. Olaf Catholic Church Jean Thoreson, St. Olaf Catholic Church Unite to End
Homelessness Working Group Dean Goldberg, Temple Israel Rabbi Sim Glaser, Temple Israel Lisa Visser, Temple Israel Shannon Williams, First Unitarian Society Staff Member Heidi Johnson McAllister, Director Financial |
The DCEH began the
year with $42,986.88 in resources. Two thirds of the funding of DCEH comes from
the member downtown congregations. A portion of the carried over funds are from
a $15,000 grant from Otto Bremer Foundation to support the DCEH Advocacy work.
The grant began in October 2013 and runs until September 2014, which was paid
in 2013 and leaves three-fourths of the grant for 2014. The DCEH ended 2013
with $41,938.86.
Support and Revenue
$42,802.05 Downtown
Congregation
$16,000.00 Private Foundations
$3,518.00 Religious Sources
$1,314.25 Individuals and Other Sources
$68,289.28 Total Revenue
Operating Expenses
$55,986.32 Staff Salaries and Benefits
$1,125.00 Administration
and Fiscal
Fees
$1,299.14 Organizational
Development
$1,206.59 Technology, Printing, Postage
$728.27 Bike Program Expenses
$500.00 Interfaith Action Team
Expenses
$2,937.84 Training,
Workshops, and
Education
$1,446.89 Professional and Volunteer
Expenses
$69,337.30 Total Expenses
333 12th Street South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone 612.242.4670
Fax 612.870.0417