A Foot Soldier for Home
Dutton Foster, Unity Church-Unitarian, Leader Spotlight. Written by Dylan Novacek, Content Specialist
“If good people get together to take action, they surely will prevail,” reflected Dutton Foster, a Beacon leader from Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul. “If you’ve got the will, then you’ve got the ability! Certainly, if you care deeply about your community then you’re qualified to advocate for home.”
Dutton believes in spending meaningful time on the causes he cares about. Retired from his time as an English teacher, he has 17-years of volunteer experience for Habitat for Humanity. A longtime Beacon donor, Dutton has recently decided to invest more of his time into seeing that all people have a home.
“I am motivated to do this work because of the need for home. You can chalk it up to driving down Snelling Avenue and seeing people in tents. People should not be living in tents in America. It’s a national shame,” he said. “Last winter, in the midst of the pandemic, I decided to attend my first virtual Rent Is Due event. My congregational organizer Elizabeth Tannen then invited me to do more.”
At Beacon, we affirm that we’re powerful people. With over 100 congregations united in our shared mission, it takes individuals like Dutton to make this work a reality. Stepping into the arena of public policy, Dutton and his fellow Beacon leaders spent time building power towards the Ramsey County HRA Levy; a small property tax increase that would go towards creating and sustaining deeply affordable housing county-wide.
“Elizabeth is very persuasive, very knowledgeable, very patient and very helpful to those of us learning this advocacy process,” Dutton said. “Initially, she invited me to be on the research team. We had the opportunity to speak with county commissioners and St. Paul Council members.
“Thinking back to those visits, I was heartened by the friendliness of these people,” Dutton smiled. “It felt good to be heard and to stand with other Beacon leaders.”
Always willing to write letters to elected officials and connect with his fellow congregation members on this issue, Dutton appreciates how the collaborative builds power for home.
“I feel like I am a foot soldier in this work,” he laughed. “I do what I can in ways that are most meaningful to me.”
Dutton continued to take important steps in his advocacy work as he presented testimony to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners in support of the HRA Levy.
“At first, I felt nervous to speak. That feeling quickly passed when I began testifying. Once I started reading, I felt very at home with what I was saying,” he said. “A member of another Beacon congregation felt so moved by what I had to say that she decided to testify too! It was a huge confidence booster for both of us.”
Previously, Dutton had little experience in advocating in public policy. Stepping out of his comfort zone, Dutton was glad to speak out for home. Continuing in this work, he and his congregation are working on their Affordable Housing Team to help forward our shared Beacon mission. Happy to be working alongside passionate individuals, Dutton is proud to help see that all people have a home.
Read Dutton’s HRA Testimony Below:
I am a resident of St. Paul and a member of the Unity Unitarian congregation. I am also an active member of the Beacon Collaborative, an interfaith organization dedicated to creating affordable supportive housing for members of our community, especially those who fall into the bottom 30% of area median income. I have also volunteered weekly for 17 years helping build houses for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
Like many of us in St. Paul, I have felt ashamed at witnessing people living in tents in a prosperous city in one of the world’s richest nations. Therefore, I support the proposed levy, and I urge that as many of the funds raised as possible be used to finance housing for those in the 30% AMI and below category. Ramsey County is in need of 15,000 additional housing units at that level, and many resources will need to be brought to bear to create affordable housing for all, in both St. Paul and its suburban cities.
Taxation is not and has never been popular, but tax revenue is vital to the creation of a viable community. Adequate housing for all members of a community is foundational. It’s basic. Adults and children need a home base that’s affordable and safe. People’s ability to grow and thrive and contribute depends on many factors, but a secure housing situation is one of the most important factors.
Our patriotism should remind us that we must all help build a thriving nation. Our faith should remind us that “loving our neighbors” refers not primarily to feelings, but to actions which benefit and empower others. The first principle of Unitarian Universalism is to recognize and honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The second principle is to act for justice, equity and compassion in human relations. The seventh and final principle is to respect the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part. Therefore, as Unitarian Universalists, we must support action to alleviate the rampant housing insecurity which degrades the lives of people in Ramsey County.
To paraphrase the poet Marge Piercy, community “starts when you say We…. and know who you mean… and each day you mean one more.”
Anyone can advocate for home. Click here to learn more about our statewide rent subsidy campaign Bring It Home, MN and find out ways you can get involved.
