November 2023 updates from Beacon—sweet as pumpkin pie🥧
How Housing First helped John go from homeless to hopeful
As a resident of Beacon’s American House, John saw firsthand how the Housing First model helps individuals find their footing after experiencing homelessness.
John sums up the impact of supportive housing by saying, “I called American House my home for about 15 months. It’s where I blossomed. As I became stabilized, I found a way to move into my own home without support. I really don’t think I could have gotten this far and remained sober if not for American House and the onsite staff.”
Find the rest of John’s inspiring story (and how he became an author) by visiting our blog.
Meet our new CEO, Chris LaTondresse, and join a conversation about Beacon’s future
Our new CEO, Chris LaTondresse, officially started with Beacon, and we think it’s time he met the community members that make our work possible. That means you!
Join us on Thursday, November 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Bet Shalom in Minnetonka to meet and hear from Chris as he outlines a shared vision for Beacon’s future.
This event is a fundraiser. Event attendees will be asked to donate to support advancing our work and shared values in the coming year.
Space is limited. RSVP today to claim your spot!
One step closer to breaking ground on Aster Commons
Did you know that 5,000+ young adults experience homelessness each night in Minnesota?
We intend to do something about it! On October 23, we took a definitive step in that direction.
That evening, 50 Beacon advocates showed up in support of Aster Commons, testifying about the need for these deeply affordable homes with a vision of offering supportive services for neurodivergent young adults who have experienced homelessness. The Richfield Planning Commission agreed, unanimously voting to approve land use for Aster Commons.
As one commission member stated, “This is the development our community needs!” However, we still have several hurdles to clear before breaking ground, so we need you!
Discover upcoming advocacy events related to Aster Commons by clicking here.
Get ready for Give to the Max Day—a golden opportunity to strengthen our community
Each year, Give to the Max Day calls on Minnesotans to support non-profits across the state, including Beacon. We hope you’ll join the spirit of generosity and make a special gift to Beacon – click here to learn more.
However, Give to the Max also provides a platform for Beacon to share our work with new people and expand our community of supporters.
So, if you’re looking for another way to support Beacon, consider resharing our Give to the Max Day posts on Facebook and Instagram. Ask yourself, “Who can I introduce to Beacon’s mission?” And include a short message about why you give!
We’ll share these posts at 7 p.m. on November 1, 4, 7, 9, 12, 15 and 16. So, mark your calendars, make a gift, and share your support of Beacon.
Visit Beacon’s Give to the Max webpage to learn more.
From blueprint to groundbreaking: What did it take to build Emerson Village?
Have you heard!? In September, we broke ground on Emerson Village—our newest affordable housing development for families in North Minneapolis!
It was an exciting moment shared by many, but getting to this point didn’t happen overnight. It took years of planning, coordinating, fundraising, and advocacy.
So, how did Emerson Village go from an idea and a blueprint to an actual housing development? Learn more.
Updates on Bring it Home, Minnesota
Over the past four years, hundreds of Beacon advocates have shown up in support of the Bring it Home, Minnesota campaign.
Your hard work paid off this past year when Governor Walz signed the historic housing bill that created Minnesota’s FIRST-EVER ongoing rental assistance vouchers program!
While this program offers enough funding for around 5,500 rent vouchers, about 550,000 Minnesotans live in households that struggle to pay rent each month.
That’s why we’re continuing the Bring it Home, Minnesota campaign until this program receives total funding.
So, how can you support Bring it Home, Minnesota?
Stay informed about the campaign, learn more about the issues at stake, and get notified of upcoming advocacy opportunities by signing up for the new Bring it Home, Minnesota email list.
Join our email list today!
