Beacon Now: Housing First - 9/7/22
2022-09-07 14:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
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 each 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 approach of ‘Housing First’ used at several Beacon buildings. Join us to hear how this type of supportive housing provides residents with options in a low-barrier approach.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

A Vision for Home: Urging Minnesota's Leaders to Champion Housing
2022-09-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Wayzata Community Church, 125 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata, MN, 55391, United States
Minnesota is in a housing crisis that needs immediate and impactful action. The state of Minnesota and the Governor have a crucial leadership role in setting a bold vision forward.
We will gather to call on gubernatorial candidates to champion housing as the priority it is for Minnesotans and discuss ways to build relationships of accountability with them. We will also learn tools and tactics to continue lifting up the importance of home throughout this election season and beyond.

Clergy and Staff Breakfast - 9/14/22
2022-09-14 08:00 - 09:30
Join clergy and religious leaders from around the Twin Cities metro area who share a vision for making all our communities ones where everybody has a home! Listen to each other’s stories of this work and to the story of where the work now stands of making more homes available for more people at the lowest income levels. Get a first look at Beacon’s strategies for the coming year and explore the special role clergy can play.
This breakfast gathering will have in-person and virtual attendance options.

Beacon Now: Housing First - 9/14/22
2022-09-14 14:00 - 14:30

Beacon Now: Housing First - 9/21/22
2022-09-21 14:00 - 14:30

Beacon Now: Housing First - 9/28/22
2022-09-28 14:00 - 14:30

Leadership Assembly: 9/29/22
2022-09-29 18:30 - 20:30
We have a big year ahead of us with campaigns focused on getting resources to those who need them the most. This assembly is designed for existing and emerging leadership teams as we prepare our organizing plans and engage more and more people in our vision of all people have a home.
This event will be virtual – login information will be sent to you after you register below.
**This event was rescheduled from September 8. If you already registered for that date, please connect with your organizer to let them know you’re attending on September 29**

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 10/3/22
2022-10-03 08:30 - 09:00
Our vision is that all people have a home. The pandemic and economic crisis have been 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, Minnesota, a rent support program that will allow all low-income Minnesotans the security and reassurance of home.
On Monday, October 3, join us on Zoom 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. This meeting will have Closed Captions available.
Please register below to let us know you will participate and to receive further instructions on how to access the meeting.

Beacon Now: How Does a Collaborative Work? - 10/5/22
2022-10-05 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 each 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 Does a Collaborative Work?” Learn about the benefits of Beacon’s collaborative of congregations and how we are able to achieve more together for home than we could individually.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

West Metro Candidate Forum - 10/6/22
2022-10-06 18:00 - 20:00 | St Barnabas Lutheran Church, 15600 Old Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN, 55446, United States
The best way to bring more affordable housing to Minnesota is creating relationships. We are doing a series of candidate forums around the state to create and build these important and strategic relationships.
On Thursday, October 6 at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth, we are inviting all candidates for Senate districts 42 and 45 and House districts 42A and 45A, focusing on races where neither candidate is an incumbent in the office for which they are running.
A major topic for discussion at the forum will be the desperate need for rent support. Over 500,000 Minnesotans pay more than 30% of their monthly income in rent. Tens of thousands will wait 5-7 years to receive a federal rent voucher. The critical lack of rent subsidies is also one of the biggest barriers to building more deeply affordable housing. To address this problem, Beacon has introduced a bill called “Bring it Home, Minnesota,” which would create a state rent support program. We will be interested to learn how candidates would vote on this bill and their specific plan to reduce housing insecurity and homelessness in our community.
Please join us as we come together to hold our candidates accountable for providing more affordable housing in the state.

Lydia Expansion Grand Opening - 10/11/22
2022-10-11 12:00 - 13:00
In 2003, Beacon’s very first development, Lydia Apartments, opened near the corner of Franklin and Lasalle in Minneapolis. The process to get to that moment was not easy. Plymouth Congregational Church found their Sunday morning services picketed for a year and Beacon won a lawsuit that went to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. More than 220 residents have lived at Lydia Apartments over the past years, an important step in breaking the cycle of chronic homelessness. When we announced our plan to renovate and expand Lydia Apartments in 2016, the neighborhood supported us because the well-maintained and well-managed Lydia Apartments had become an important part of the neighborhood.
Join us on October 11th to celebrate the completion of that expansion to hear stories of lives touched through the homes at Lydia, words from elected officials and Beacon’s President & CEO Lee Blons, and a short tour of the expansion. At the time of this invite, we have confirmed that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho, and Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene are planning to attend the event.
We are grateful to Flannery Construction for sponsoring this event. Refreshments will be served.
Location:
1920 Lasalle Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Event Details:
12:00 – Gathering and refreshments
12:15 – Program
Tours to follow the program
Your early RSVP is appreciated so we can plan for the number of guests that will join us.
RSVP using the form below:

Beacon Now: How Does a Collaborative Work? - 10/12/22
2022-10-12 14:00 - 14:30

Prairie Homeless Companion
2022-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 N Berens Rd NW, Prior Lake, MN, 55379, United States
A unique theater performance by zAmya Theater Group- consisting of actors who have experienced homelessness- that creatively and engagingly shares real stories of homelessness beyond the stereotypes. Performance will be followed by a dialogue between performers, Beacon staff, and local Beacon partners that provides information about housing insecurity in the greater metro area, Beacon’s approach, and invites engagement with Beacon’s developments and campaigns. Come learn more about how housing issues impact people in your community and how you can make a difference!
Reserve your spot below:

Beacon Now: How Does a Collaborative Work? - 10/19/22
2022-10-19 14:00 - 14:30

Beacon Now: How Does a Collaborative Work? - 10/26/22
2022-10-26 14:00 - 14:30

Rent is Due: Day of Action - 11/1/22
2022-11-01 08:30 - 09:00
Our vision is that all people have a home. The pandemic and economic crisis have been 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, Minnesota, a rent support program that will allow all low-income Minnesotans the security and reassurance of home.
On Tuesday, November 1, join us on Zoom 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. This meeting will have Closed Captions available.
Please register below to let us know you will participate and to receive further instructions on how to access the meeting.

Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session - 11/02/22
2022-11-02 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 each 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 “Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session”. Learn about our plans for the 2023 legislative session.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session - 11/09/22
2022-11-09 14:00 - 14:30
Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session – 11/09/22

‘Light the Way Home: A Beacon Fundraiser’
2022-11-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Radisson Blu at Mall of America, 2100 Killebrew Drive, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States
Ensuring that all people have a home will require the investment of both public and private funds. ‘Light the Way Home’ offers an invitation for community members to give generously and come together to address housing instability.
There is no requirement to give, cost to the luncheon, or any minimum gift, but we think that you’ll be inspired to join us with your donation or multi-year pledge. Every gift matters and every donation is more than a gift, it’s another person who has joined with us to say that now is the time that all people have a home.
Save the date for ‘Light the Way Home: A Beacon Fundraiser!’ Join a community of supporters inspired to create homes, support families, and impact policy to achieve our vision that all people have a home.
Friday, November 11, 2022
12 – 1 p.m.
Free and in-person
Radisson Blu at Mall of America
2100 Killebrew Dr, Bloomington, MN 55425
Visit www.beaconinterfaith.org/light/ to learn more.
Registration for this event has closed. If you have any questions, please reach out to Matt Lawton at mlawton@beaconinterfaith.org
Event Details for Attendees
Location
Radisson Blu at Mall of America
2100 Killebrew Drive, Bloomington, Minnesota 55425
Registration Check-In
Registration check-in opens at 11:30 a.m. Please arrive no later than 11:45 as our program will begin promptly at noon.
Event Begins Promptly at Noon
If you arrive after the event starts, you will be asked to wait until there is an appropriate pause in the presentation to be seated. We ask that guests consider the possibility of inclement weather and any extra time needed to navigate parking.
Parking
Free parking is available in the East and West ramps at the Mall of America. Please allow ample time (approximately 10-15 minutes) to walk from the parking ramp to the Radisson Blu. The mall has directions to the hotel at each of the informational kiosks. Alternatively, complementary valet parking will be offered for anyone who chooses. If you choose to valet your car, Beacon will provide you a parking voucher at registration that you will use when retrieving your vehicle at the end of the event.
Directions to Radisson Blu from Inside the Mall of America
The Radisson Blu is located at the south side of the mall.
Enter from the Mall of America on the second floor, via skyway. ‘Light the Way Home’ will be in the Lakes Ballroom.
Directions from Valet Parking
Valet parking is available on the ground level of the hotel. Enter the Radisson Blu at the valet station and proceed to level 2 and the Lakes Ballroom.

Questions?
Please contact Matt Lawton, events coordinator at mlawton@beaconinterfaith.org.
Thank you for helping us light the way home! We look forward to seeing you Friday!

Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session - 11/16/22
2022-11-16 14:00 - 14:30
Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session – 11/16/22

Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session - 11/23/22
2022-11-23 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 each 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.
This session will cover “Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session”. Learn about our plans for the 2023 legislative session.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

Beacon Now: Housing Policy and the 2023 Legislative Session - 11/30/22
2022-11-30 14:00 - 14:30

Congregational Convening - 12/01/2022
2022-12-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Gloria Dei Lutheran, St Paul, 700 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Join us for our Beacon Congregational Convening. At this convening we will gather as all of the congregations a part of Beacon to:
• Learn about and celebrate the new five year plan
• Understand and provide input on our new developments
• Launch our new Unlock the Metro Campaign: A Campaign for Project Based Vouchers
• Preview the plan for this upcoming legislative session as we work on Bring it Home, Minnesota and other important bills

Power Tools: Winter 2022
2022-12-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 10715 Zenith Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55431, United States
To create the change needed to ensure all people have a home, we need skilled leaders able to build meaningful relationships with decision makers, hold power and act effectively in the public arena. This workshop focuses on all of these skills and more!
To cover the cost of material, we are asking for a onetime $35 donation.
This is a four-part series of training. This is part one.
Please only register once. You do not need to separately register for each session.
Sun, December 4th, 3:00 – 8:00, In person, Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Mon, December 5th, 5:00 – 8:00, Virtual
Sun, December 11th, 3:00 – 8:00, Virtual
Mon, December 12th, 5:00 – 8:00, Virtual
This first portion of the training will be in person at Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Power Tools: Winter 2022
2022-12-05 17:00 - 20:00
To create the change needed to ensure all people have a home, we need skilled leaders able to build meaningful relationships with decision makers, hold power and act effectively in the public arena. This workshop focuses on all of these skills and more!
To cover the cost of material, we are asking for a onetime $35 donation.
This is a four-part series of training. This is part two.
Please only register once. You do not need to separately register for each session.
Sun, December 4th, 3:00 – 8:00, In person, Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Mon, December 5th, 5:00 – 8:00, Virtual
Sun, December 11th, 3:00 – 8:00, Virtual
Mon, December 12th, 5:00 – 8:00, Virtual
This part of the training will be a virtual event and meeting links will be emailed out.

Beacon Now: Beacon 2022 in Review - 12/07/22
2022-12-07 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 each 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 “Beacon 2022 in Review.” Look back on all the Collaborative accomplished in 2022 toward our vision that all people have a home.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

Beacon Now: Beacon 2022 in Review - 12/14/22
2022-12-14 14:00 - 14:30

Beacon Now: Beacon 2022 in Review - 12/21/22
2022-12-21 14:00 - 14:30

Start With Home: Rally for Housing at the State Capitol
2023-01-11 13:30 - 14:30 | Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN, 55155, United States
Please join our Start With Home: Rally for Housing on January 11, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. for equitable and stable housing in Minnesota! We’ll be at the Capitol Rotunda with other leading nonprofit housing organizations to make sure home is front-and-center in the minds of our elected officials as they create state budgets.
Register to get more information. Then invite your friends, neighbors, congregation members, coworkers, and everyone else to join you! We all benefit when we can all afford our home.

Power Tools - Winter 2023
2023-01-29 16:00 - 20:00
To create the change needed to ensure all people have a home, we need skilled leaders able to build meaningful relationships with decision makers, hold power and act effectively in the public arena. This workshop focuses on all of these skills and more!
To cover the cost of material, we are asking for a onetime $35 donation.
This is a three-part series of trainings, and attendance at each part is important.
Please only register once. You do not need to separately register for each session.
