Beacon Academy: Unpacking Race & Housing
2021-07-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-08-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
As the collaborative continues its race equity journey we are increasingly aware of the importance to understand the history behind the disparities that exist in the ongoing housing crisis. Unpacking Race and Housing provides an opportunity to ground ourselves in an understanding of the levels of racism, the way race has been used to oppress communities of color and Indigenous communities and the impact of that today. Unpacking Race and Housing is offered as a two-part series, so participants have ample time for discussion and reflection.
This training consists of 2 virtual sessions:
1. Monday, July 26 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
2. Monday, August 2 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Please attend both to experience the full training.

Beacon Now: Lydia Expansion - 7/28/21
2021-07-28 14:00 - 14:30
Whether you’re brand new to Beacon or have been a supporter for years, we invite you to attend a virtual “Beacon Now” session. In this session, we’ll touch on the basics of Beacon’s work, go in depth on one aspect of that work, and discuss how we can make a difference for Minnesotans now. Encampments of people without a home are again growing. Racial disparities in housing continue to harm communities of color. This session will cover the Lydia Apartments expansion, which will double the number of people able to be served there. Join us to learn more and find out how you can get involved in Beacon’s work.

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 8/2/21
2021-08-02 08:30 - 09:00
Our vision is that all people have a home. The pandemic and economic crisis are building into an eviction crisis, which could add to the already too large number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. We cannot let this happen, and home is the solution.
We need Bring It Home, MN, a rent subsidy program that will allow all low-income Minnesotans the security and reassurance of home.
On Monday, August 2, join us at 8:30 a.m. for a thirty-minute update meeting, where we will learn more about the growing crisis, and reflect on how to take action together.
Please register below to let us know you will participate and to receive further instructions on how to access the meeting.

Inreach Training - 8/10/21
2021-08-10 18:00 - 20:00
This fall, congregations across the collaborative will simultaneously engage in an inreach: one-to-one conversations to listen to each other’s deep connection to home and share our determination to make affordable housing a reality for everyone in our state. Imagine the most exciting Beacon gathering you have ever attended – the energy, and how many people were there! Now imagine the power of that gathering when 1400 people across the Twin Cities Metro have been building relationships and the power to pass Bring it Home, MN. We will be a presence at the Capitol that can’t be ignored!
Join us for a virtual training on these unique one-to-one visits. Attend any of the three sessions – or all for more practice!
To learn about our event accessibility and safety practices, please click here.

Beacon Now: An Inside Look at Bimosedaa - 8/11/21
2021-08-11 14:00 - 14:30
Whether you’re brand new to Beacon or have been a supporter for years, we invite you to attend a virtual “Beacon Now” session. In this session, we’ll touch on the basics of Beacon’s work, go in depth on one aspect of that work, and discuss how we can make a difference for Minnesotans now. Encampments of people without a home are again growing. Racial disparities in housing continue to harm communities of color. This session will give you an inside look at Bimosedaa, upcoming supportive housing in Downtown Minneapolis created in collaboration with the Red Lake Nation. Join us to learn more and find out how you can get involved in Beacon’s work.
Note: Beacon Now will be on summer break on Wednesday, August 4th. These August sessions will be on the remaining three Wednesdays: 11, 18, 25.
To learn about our event accessibility and safety practices, please click here.

Inreach Training - 8/14/21
2021-08-14 10:00 - 12:00

Met Council Public Hearing - 8/16/21
2021-08-16 16:00 - 18:00
The development of supportive housing is impossible to build without rent subsidies like Project-Based Vouchers.
The Metro HRA is the largest administrator of the Housing Choice Voucher Program in the state of Minnesota, and without a reliable, annual process for obtaining project-based rent subsidies, Beacon won’t be able to develop desperately needed supportive housing for families across the metro area.
On Monday August 16 at 4 p.m., the Met Council’s Community Development Committee will be hosting a public hearing where residents can tune in or share their testimony.
Faith communities from across the collaborative are coming together at this digital hearing to demonstrate our support for this crucial community resource and why we need to have project-based vouchers on the table in 2022 and beyond.
An email with the link to watch the public hearing will be sent to you once it is made available by the Community Development Committee. We will also hold a short Zoom debrief immediately after the hearing.
To learn about our event accessibility and safety practices, please click here.

Beacon Now: An Inside Look at Bimosedaa - 8/18/21
2021-08-18 14:00 - 14:30
Whether you’re brand new to Beacon or have been a supporter for years, we invite you to attend a virtual “Beacon Now” session. In this session, we’ll touch on the basics of Beacon’s work, go in depth on one aspect of that work, and discuss how we can make a difference for Minnesotans now. Encampments of people without a home are again growing. Racial disparities in housing continue to harm communities of color. This session will give you an inside look at Bimosedaa, upcoming supportive housing in Downtown Minneapolis created in collaboration with the Red Lake Nation. Join us to learn more and find out how you can get involved in Beacon’s work.
To learn about our event accessibility and safety practices, please click here.

Beacon Now: An Inside Look at Bimosedaa - 8/25/21
2021-08-25 14:00 - 14:30

Celebrating Bimosedaa
2021-08-30 18:30 - 19:30
As we prepare to begin construction on about 50 supportive homes in Downtown Minneapolis, in collaboration with the Red Lake Nation, we want to take a moment to celebrate! Join us virtually to hear more about how we got from the Wall of Forgotten Natives encampment to this moment and see a tour of the historic building. Beacon staff, along with some of our partners at Red Lake Nation and Avivo, will be livestreaming on-site to give you an inside look into the building that will soon become Bimosedaa. We will also celebrate these upcoming homes with a traditional blessing led by a member of Red Lake Nation.
Please register below to receive a link to join us for this historic occasion. If you would like to learn about our event accessibility and safety practices, please click here.

Inreach Training - 8/31/21
2021-08-31 18:00 - 20:00
This fall, congregations across the collaborative will simultaneously engage in an inreach: one-to-one conversations to listen to each other’s deep connection to home and share our determination to make affordable housing a reality for everyone in our state. Imagine the most exciting Beacon gathering you have ever attended – the energy, and how many people were there! Now imagine the power of that gathering when 1400 people across the Twin Cities Metro have been building relationships and the power to pass Bring it Home, MN. We will be a presence at the Capitol that can’t be ignored!
Join us for a training on these unique one-to-one visits. Attend any of the five sessions – or all for more practice!

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 9/1/21
2021-09-01 08:30 - 09:00
Our vision is that all people have a home. The pandemic and economic crisis are building into an eviction crisis, which could add to the already too large number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. We cannot let this happen, and home is the solution.
We need Bring It Home, MN, a rent subsidy program that will allow all low-income Minnesotans the security and reassurance of home.
On Wednesday, September 1, join us at 8:30 a.m. for a thirty-minute update meeting, where we will learn more about the growing crisis, and reflect on how to take action together.
Please register below to let us know you will participate and to receive further instructions on how to access the meeting.

Inreach 1-1 Practice and Open House for Visitors
2021-09-09 18:00 - 19:30
This is an additional, optional opportunity for people serving as visitors in our Inreach Campaign: Powerful Together. Attendees will have the opportunity to go deeper on the principles and skills of 1-1 relational visits, ask questions that came up for you in your training, and the chance to get in some more practice. Please note that this training is not a substitute for our required Inreach Visitor trainings, offered August 10, 14 and 31. We extend this invitation particularly to visitors who are newer to Beacon and 1-1s, but all Inreach visitors are welcome!
A link to join the virtual event will be emailed to you after registering. If you would like to learn about our event accessibility and safety practices, please click here.

Inreach Training - 9/13/21
2021-09-13 18:00 - 20:00
This fall, congregations across the collaborative will simultaneously engage in an inreach: one-to-one conversations to listen to each other’s deep connection to home and share our determination to make affordable housing a reality for everyone in our state. Imagine the most exciting Beacon gathering you have ever attended – the energy, and how many people were there! Now imagine the power of that gathering when 1400 people across the Twin Cities Metro have been building relationships and the power to pass Bring it Home, MN. We will be a presence at the Capitol that can’t be ignored!
Join us for a training on these unique one-to-one visits. Attend any of the four sessions – or all for more practice!

Ramsey County Budget Hearing
2021-09-14 16:30 - 18:30
For too long, Ramsey County has been the only metro HRA (Housing Redevelopment Authority) that has not used its ability to raise funds for affordable housing through a property tax. The County Board hopes to change that, and we want to voice our support. Join us for the hearing, which will be both online and in person, and for a virtual debrief to start whenever the hearing concludes!
The hearing begins at 4:30 p.m. without a pre-determined end time. Our virtual Zoom debrief will begin immediately after it ends and have Closed Captioning available. Please register below to receive a link and more information.

Beacon Now: Ensuring Affordable Rent - 9/22/21
2021-09-22 14:00 - 14:30
Whether you’re brand new to Beacon or have been a supporter for years, we invite you to attend a virtual “Beacon Now” session. In this session, we’ll touch on the basics of Beacon’s work, go in depth on one aspect of that work, and discuss how we can make a difference for Minnesotans now. Encampments of people without a home are again growing. Racial disparities in housing continue to harm communities of color. This session will cover how we can help all renters afford home through Bring it Home, Minnesota and rent stabilization. Join us to learn more and find out how you can get involved in Beacon’s work.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available. To learn about our event accessibility and safety practices, please click here.

Beacon Now: Ensuring Affordable Rent - 9/29/21
2021-09-29 14:00 - 14:30

Inreach Training - 9/30/21
2021-09-30 18:00 - 20:00

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 10/1/21
2021-10-01 08:30 - 09:00
Our vision is that all people have a home. The pandemic and economic crisis are building into an eviction crisis, which could add to the already too large number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. We cannot let this happen, and home is the solution.
We need Bring It Home, MN, a rent subsidy program that will allow all low-income Minnesotans the security and reassurance of home.
On Friday, October 1, join us at 8:30 a.m. for a thirty-minute update meeting, where we will learn more about the growing crisis, and reflect on how to take action together. There will be Closed Captions available on Zoom.
Please register below to let us know you will participate and to receive further instructions on how to access the meeting.

Rent Stabilization Forum
2021-10-05 18:00 - 19:30
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul voters will have the opportunity to support rent stabilization programs this November. As a developer and owner of apartments with the vision that all people have a home, Beacon urges members of our collaborating congregations to vote “yes.” This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about the ballot measures in both cities and why our faith values guide us to supporting them.
There will be Closed Captioning available at this event. Please register below to receive the Zoom link.

Beacon Now: Ensuring Affordable Rent - 10/6/21
2021-10-06 14:00 - 14:30

Minneapolis Voter Phone Bank - 10/12/21
2021-10-12 17:30 - 20:30
Volunteer for a brief virtual training and shift calling voters about rent stabilization! Beacon believes our faith values call us not only to vote yes but to encourage our neighbors to vote yes with us and these phone banks will be our main tool to do so. Register on our calendar for the date you are interested in and you’ll receive detailed instructions for participating in this action. Once we get the hang of the technology, this is a rewarding and impactful action!
You will need a computer or tablet AND a phone to use the dialing software. Training is provided, no experience necessary! Please register by noon the day before your selected date! This will allow us time to email you instructions for how to participate.

Beacon Now: Ensuring Affordable Rent - 10/13/21
2021-10-13 14:00 - 14:30

Powerful Together Coordinator Check-in
2021-10-14 19:00 - 20:00
Powerful Together: Conversations for Change are underway in 25 congregations! All coordinators are encouraged to gather and share what’s working and where you need support. We have a collective goal of over 1000 conversations – let’s work together to reach it!
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available. To learn about our event accessibility and safety practices, please click here.

Beacon Now: Ensuring Affordable Rent - 10/20/21
2021-10-20 14:00 - 14:30

St. Paul Voter Phone Bank - 10/21/21
2021-10-21 18:00 - 19:30

Recognizing Hosting, Expanding Community
2021-10-25 19:00 - 20:15
Families Moving Forward hosts are invited to join us for a hybrid event happening in person at Robbinsdale Parkway UCC and online on Zoom. This event will be especially meaningful for FMF hosts who are experiencing the closure of the Hennepin program, adapting to the pandemic and in some cases the end of hosting as they knew it. Join us to be recognized for your deep commitment to providing shelter and learn how that commitment to community is the foundation for our ability to build housing and impact policy as a collaborative. Hear about ways to take action for housing like Emerson Village and keep living out the vision that all people have a home.
Please indicate in the registration form how you will be joining us. You have two options:
1. In person: at Robbinsdale Parkway UCC, 4200 Lake Rd, Robbinsdale, MN 55422.
2. Virtual: on Zoom with Closed Captions available.
For information about our accessibility standards and safety precautions, please click here: https://www.beaconinterfaith.org/blog/events/event-safety-and-accessibility/. More specific information about the in-person venue will be emailed to you before the event.

St. Paul Voter Phone Bank - 10/26/21
2021-10-26 12:00 - 13:30

Beacon Now: Ensuring Affordable Rent - 10/27/21
2021-10-27 14:00 - 14:30
