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Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church believes in home!

Beacon is thrilled and grateful to celebrate an extraordinary act of generosity by Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church (HAUMC), whose members voted on February 19 to invest $1.3 million into affordable housing through Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, The Bridge for Youth, and Envision Community. We admire their commitment “…to use our gifts to work towards a future where all have the safety and warmth of a home, whichever shape it takes.” Thank you to all who said “YES” to home!

In 2019 HAUMC sold its retreat center, Koinonia and decided to use the proceeds from that sale to further its mission of radical hospitality and outreach to the community. Their membership overwhelmingly approved funding of over $1.3 million to go to local nonprofits that provide novel solutions to the housing crisis and economic instability. The recipients of these gifts are Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Envision Community, and Bridge for Youth.

HAUMC is a historically progressive and inclusive church located in the heart of Minneapolis that clearly displays a real commitment to addressing issues of homelessness and poverty.

After a nearly four-year proposal process, the congregation voted and said “yes” to home. Ginger Sisco, a long-time member of HAUMC said, “We feel so fortunate that our congregation is in a place to walk with the nonprofit organizations that are deeply embedded in our community – listening to the needs of those who are currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness.”

Beacon will use the HAUMC gift of $895,000 to advance two different supportive housing developments currently being created in Minneapolis, Bimosedaa and Emerson Village.

Bimosedaa will provide 48 homes in downtown Minneapolis for single adults, primarily members of Indigenous communities who have experienced chronic homelessness and have ongoing mental health and/or chemical dependency issues. If timing stays on track, residents could move in to Bimosedaa as soon as late October. HAUMC’s gift came at a critical time for this project to ensure residents can move in to their new homes in 2023 and sends a clear signal of community support that we hope will inspire further generosity!  

Emerson Village will provide 40 homes (two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments) in North Minneapolis for very low-income families with children. Priority will be given to families in or at risk of homelessness or who have engaged in the child welfare system. Construction is targeted to start at the end of July/early August, and residents could move in as early as late September 2024.

We share the sentiments of HAUMC’s Strategic Council: “This is a time of great joy!…This is the work of HAUMC in the world – and it is awe-inspiring.”

“This gift is a powerful illustration of how the generosity of faith communities can change lives,” said Lee Blons, Beacon’s CEO & President. “We can’t wait to use the Hennepin Avenue UMC funds to create more homes and move us toward our shared vision that all people have a home.”

The HAUMC gift will also support Envision Community and The Bridge for Youth. The Envision Community Project is the building and operating of a 2-year-long model community of intentional, cooperative living; made up of 15-30 people living in micro-homes with the goal of creating health equity and a stable living environment. It is an innovative solution that enables people to live with dignity and community accountability.

The Bridge for Youth will use this gift to improve and expand its infrastructure and programming for pregnant and parenting youth. The Bridge for Youth, located in the Minneapolis Uptown neighborhood, provides emergency shelter, and transitional housing, including shelter and housing for pregnant and parenting youth with small children, along with outreach and support for homeless youth, including all those identifying as LGBTQ+.

Learn more about Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church at https://haumc.org/.