August 2024 news from Beacon
Video feature – Inside supportive housing at Bimosedaa
Located in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis, Bimosedaa offers 48 deeply affordable apartment homes with culturally relevant supportive services.
Many of Bimosedaa’s current residents experienced homelessness immediately before moving into their new apartments.
Visit the Beacon blog to find a new video featuring voices from Beacon and Avivo staff, as well as a Q&A with Avivo staff who provide onsite supportive services at Bimosedaa.
Further reflections from CEO Chris LaTondresse
Ten months into his role as President and CEO, Chris LaTondresse reflects again on what he’s learned while leading Beacon.
In part two of his reflections, Chris argues for how ending homelessness requires a thriving, supportive housing sector.
Chris points out how most new affordable housing results from partnerships between public funders, mission-driven housing developers (like Beacon), and community supporters.
Read Lesson Two: Supportive housing ends homelessness.
A congregation’s closure breathes new life into supportive housing
When Peace Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota, came to the difficult conclusion of closing its doors, the congregation made a decision that ensured its legacy would live on in the community.
A $100,000 gift to Beacon from the sale of their church building was one of ten gifts distributed to mission-driven organizations.
This generous gift will help Beacon create and sustain supportive homes in Plymouth and across the Twin Cities metro. “While it was challenging to come to terms with closing our congregation, it has brought us so much joy to know that this conclusion will allow so many lives to be changed,” said Valerie Sorenson, member of the Peace Lutheran discernment committee.
If you have a question about your congregation making a gift to Beacon, please contact Craig Freeman at cfreeman@beaconinterfaith.org.
Help us make Beacon’s newest development—The Aragon—a reality
Join Beacon staff and community members at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic Church to celebrate the launch of The Aragon—a development we’re proposing in St. Paul’s Conway neighborhood.
We currently picture The Aragon offering about 50 affordable apartment homes with onsite supportive services.
As with all Beacon buildings, the successful development of The Aragon depends on the energy and support of community members like you.
RSVP today to attend the launch event, where you’ll learn more about this development and how you can help make its success a reality.
What’s the impact of deeply affordable, supportive housing?
Having gone from homelessness and housing insecurity to being safely housed at Cranberry Ridge, Amanda knows the answer on a deep level.
She describes the impact of her family’s home as “winning the mega jackpot.”
Visit our blog to read Amanda’s inspiring story.
Featured Event: Rent is Due
As the month begins, over 200,000 households struggle to pay their rent in Minnesota.
But we can work together to change that.
During our 30-minute virtual Rent is Due meeting, you’ll receive updates on current campaigns and what you can do to advocate for deeply affordable housing.
Since starting these meetings in 2020, our community has moved mountains. We cleared the way for the development of several new Beacon apartment homes and lobbied Minnesota officials to pass a historic budget with $1 billion in public funds for housing.
And we’re not stopping there.
Will you join us as we fight to ensure all individuals have a safe, affordable place to call home?
Sign up for August’s Rent is Due: Day of Action today.
Other upcoming events
Beacon 101 on August 14 at 4:30 p.m. (virtual)
Beacon 101 on August 21 at 8:30 a.m. (virtual)
