Beacon Interfaith

Beacon Now: Gladstone Crossing Moves Toward Land Use – May 31, 2023
2023-05-31 14:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Minnesota
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.
Come learn more about what the exciting next steps are for Gladstone Crossing.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

Unlock the Metro: Understanding the Met Council's role in housing development
2023-06-06 18:30 - 19:00 | Minnesota
Join us for an informative 30-minute virtual Zoom event where we will walk through the crucial role that the Metropolitan Council plays in the development of deeply affordable housing across the Twin Cities metro!
We will also provide details on Beacon’s “Unlock the Metro” campaign and the important role Project Based Vouchers (PBVs) play in the creation of new, deeply affordable supportive housing.
Click here for a link to this virtual Zoom event.

Beacon Now: Next steps for Bring it Home, Minnesota – June 7, 2023
2023-06-07 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota
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.
Come learn more about what the exciting next steps are for Bring it Home, Minnesota—the new state-run program that expands access to rental assistance vouchers for extremely low-income families and individuals.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

Prairie Pointe: Press Conference and Shakopee Planning Commission – 6/8/23
2023-06-08 18:00 - 20:30 | Shakopee City Hall, 485 Gorman St, Shakopee, 55379, United States
The City of Shakopee approved land use for Prairie Pointe, supportive housing for families, in 2020 because of how important the development is in meeting the needs of the community and how deeply the projects aligns with the city’s stated goals and commitments around housing. The community and the city already came together around this development as a key answer to solving the growing concerns of housing instability.
But now, there is a group seeking to undermine these community decisions by pushing to rezone the property in opposition to the city’s stated values and goals. We are shocked that the Planning Commission and City Council are considering this unprecedented move to invalidate the community decision to support Prairie Pointe and the dedicated investments that have been made.
Show up in solidarity with Prairie Pointe for a press conference (at 6:15 p.m.) and the Planning Commission meeting (at 7 p.m.) on June 8 and demonstrate that you believe quality affordable housing belongs in all communities!
Note: This is an in-person only event.

Beacon Now: Next steps for Bring it Home, Minnesota – June 14, 2023
2023-06-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Minnesota

Unlock the Metro- Delivering the Keys
2023-06-14 15:00 - 16:30 | Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55101, United States
The Metro area is facing a crisis of affordable housing development in the suburbs. While cities like Minneapolis and St Paul that have their own rental assistance vouchers to distribute can use them for creating new affordable housing, most cities are counting on the Met Council to do so. People of faith will stand together to call for a solution to the crisis and deliver the keys that have been collected by congregations, representing the homes that need to be “unlocked” by the Met Council in our Metro!
This event is beginning at Central Presbyterian Church, and we will be walking to Met Council.

Retirement Celebration for Lee Blons
2023-06-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Plymouth Congregational Church, Guild Hall, 1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55403
During this in-person celebration, we’ll honor Lee’s 20+ years of service to Beacon, her dynamic leadership, and her relentless commitment to our vision that ‘all people have a home.’

Beacon Now: Next steps for Bring it Home, Minnesota – June 21, 2023
2023-06-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Minnesota

Maplewood Land Use Orientation
2023-06-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Gustavus Adolphus Church, 1669 Arcade St, Saint Paul, 55106, United States
Join us for an informational presentation about Gladstone Crossing in Maplewood. We will cover the proposed development, the process of approval, the land use meeting in July, and why your support is critical in getting this project approved. Meet other Maplewood supporters of affordable housing and get to know your neighbors who care about this as much as you do.

Beacon Now: Next steps for Bring it Home, Minnesota – June 28, 2023
2023-06-28 14:00 - 2023-07-26 14:30 | Minnesota

Rent Is Due: Unlock the Metro!
2023-07-10 08:30 - 09:00 | Minnesota
The Met Council holds the “keys” that unlock the creation of affordable housing in the suburbs: project-based vouchers. Join us for a Special Edition of Rent Is Due on July 10 as we explore the need for a consistent plan from the Met Council to allocate these vital tools and Unlock the Metro! We’ll take focused action together, too.
Invite your congregations, neighbors, and friends to join you on this Zoom call. Closed captioning will be provided.
Rent Is Due will return to its focus on Bring it Home, Minnesota in September.

Gladstone Crossing Land Use
2023-07-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Maplewood City Hall Council CHambers, 1830 County Road B East, Maplewood, MN, United States
Join us for the Gladstone Crossing Land Use meeting. On this night, the Maplewood City Council will vote on whether to approve land use for the proposed development site of Gladstone Crossing. Your presence will help us demonstrate local support for this crucial development!

Beacon Now: What's going on at Prairie Pointe? - July 12, 2023
2023-07-12 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota
Whether you’re brand new to Beacon or have been a supporter for years, we invite you to attend a virtual “Beacon Now” session.
Have you heard us talking about the proposed Prairie Pointe housing development in Shakopee or seen mentions of it in the newspaper? And are you still unsure about what’s going on?
Find the answers to your questions and discover what Beacon is doing to ensure this desperately needed family-supportive housing gets built despite renewed opposition.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

Beacon Now: What's going on at Prairie Pointe - July 19, 2023
2023-07-19 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota

Beacon Now: What's going on at Prairie Pointe? - July 26, 2023
2023-07-26 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota

Rent Is Due: Unlock the Metro!
2023-08-01 08:30 - 09:00 | Minnesota
The Met Council holds the “keys” that unlock the creation of affordable housing in the suburbs: project-based vouchers. Join us for a Special Edition of Rent Is Due on August 1 as we explore the need for a consistent plan from the Met Council to allocate these vital tools and Unlock the Metro! We’ll take focused action together, too.
Invite your congregations, neighbors, and friends to join you on this Zoom call. Closed captioning will be provided.
Rent Is Due will return to its focus on Bring it Home, Minnesota in September.

Beacon Now: Funding Construction - The Super RFP, August 2, 2023
2023-08-02 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota
Whether you’re brand new to Beacon or have been a supporter for years, we invite you to attend a virtual “Beacon Now” session.
Ever wonder how Beacon puts together the capital financing to build a $20 million building? Well, we can’t cover all of that in a half hour. We can, however, start the process with the biggest piece of the puzzle: Minnesota Housing’s annual Super RFP. Come learn the lengths Beacon’s Housing Development team go to every summer to create homes.
This Zoom event will have Closed Captioning available.

Shakopee Planning Commission: Prairie Pointe
2023-08-03 18:30 - 22:00 | Shakopee City Hall, 485 Gorman St, Shakopee, 55379, United States
The City of Shakopee approved land use for Prairie Pointe, supportive housing for families, in 2020 because of how important the development is in meeting the needs of the community and how deeply the projects align with the city’s stated goals and commitments around housing. The community and the city already came together around this development as a key answer to solving the growing concerns of housing instability.
But now, there is a proposal seeking to undermine these community decisions by pushing to unlawfully rezone the property in direct opposition to the city’s stated values and goals. We are shocked that the Planning Commission is considering this unprecedented move to invalidate the community decision to support Prairie Pointe and the dedicated investments that have been made.
Show up in solidarity with Prairie Pointe at the Planning Commission meeting (we’ll gather at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the meeting at 7 p.m.) on August 3 and demonstrate that you believe quality affordable housing belongs in all communities!
Note: This is an in-person-only event.

Beacon Now: Funding Construction - The Super RFP, August 9, 2023
2023-08-09 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota

Beacon Now: Funding Construction - The Super RFP, August 16, 2023
2023-08-16 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota

Unlock the Metro: Met Council Community Development Committee (CDC) Public Hearing - 8/21/23
2023-08-21 15:15 - 18:00 | Minnesota
Through project-based vouchers, the Met Council has the power to “Unlock the Metro” and create deeply affordable housing in the Twin Cities suburbs. At this public hearing, we’ll be calling on the Met Council to make a regular supply of these crucial project-based vouchers available through their 2024 plan.
Please plan to show up in support! There will also be options for people to speak to the need to “Unlock the Metro.”
Click here to register and receive all the information: Met Council CDC Public Hearing, August 21, 2023 (jotform.com)

Clergy and Leader Breakfast for Aster Commons
2023-08-23 07:30 - 09:00 | Woodlake Lutheran Church, 2120 W 76th St, Richfield, MN, 55423, United States
Are you a fan of breakfast food, socializing, and learning from fellow leaders within your community. Then you’re in luck! Join us for a breakfast engaging Richfield leaders and clergy at Woodlake Lutheran Church! In addition to providing a healthy start to your day, this breakfast will offer the opportunity to learn about the development of Aster Commons and its future impact on the community. See you there!

Beacon Now: Funding Construction - The Super RFP, August 23, 2023
2023-08-23 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota

60th anniversary of the March on Washington, 8-28-2023
2023-08-28 13:00 - 16:00 | MN State Capitol Rotunda, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Saint Paul, 55155, United States
Join us for this opportunity to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which took place on August 28, 1963.
It was on this day that 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This historical moment in American history drew attention to the challenges and inequalities faced by African Americans a century after emancipation. And it was on this day that Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Beacon Now: Funding Construction - The Super RFP, August 30, 2023
2023-08-30 14:00 - 14:30 | Minnesota

Rent is Due: Day of Action – 9/1/2023
2023-09-01 08:30 - 09:00 | Minnesota
It’s clear: We need Bring it Home, Minnesota! This transformational rent support legislation will allow all low-income Minnesotans the security and reassurance of home.
On Friday, September 1, join us on Zoom at 8:30 a.m. for a thirty-minute meeting, where we will provide updates on where the initiative stands at the legislature, how momentum continues to grow, and what action we’ll take together to keep moving Bring it Home, Minnesota forward!
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.

Met Council Community Development Committee Meeting, 9-5-2023
2023-09-05 15:30 - 17:30 | Met Council Building, 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, MN, 55101, United States
This action is part of our Unlock the Metro Campaign to make more project-based vouchers available for suburban development. At the meeting, the metro housing agency will present its annual plan—and our objections to it—to the Community Development Committee. They need to see that Beacon is in the house and paying attention!

Shakopee Planning Commission: Prairie Pointe, September 7
2023-09-07 18:30 - 22:00 | Shakopee City Hall, 485 Gorman St, Shakopee, 55379, United States
The City of Shakopee approved land use for Prairie Pointe—affordable housing for families—in 2020 because of how vital the development is in meeting the community’s needs and how deeply the projects align with the city’s stated goals and commitments around housing. The community and the city already came together around this development as a crucial answer to solving the growing concerns of housing instability.
But now, a proposal seeks to undermine these community decisions by pushing to unlawfully rezone the property in direct opposition to the city’s stated values and goals.
Show up in solidarity with Prairie Pointe at the Planning Commission meeting (we’ll gather at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the meeting at 7 p.m.) on September 7 and demonstrate that you believe quality affordable housing belongs in all communities!
Note: This is an in-person-only event.

Met Council (Community Development Committee) CDC Vote on 2024 Annual Plan, 9/18/2023
2023-09-18 15:30 - 17:30 | Met Council Building, 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, MN, 55101, United States
This is the most important in-person event of the Unlock the Metro Campaign. We’re calling for 50 or more Beacon advocates to pack the room when the Community Development Committee votes on its housing agency’s annual plan. They need to know that we’ll hold them accountable!

Emerson Village Groundbreaking
2023-09-21 16:00 - 17:30 | Church of the Ascension, 1723 N. Bryant Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55411, United States
Celebrate a moment years in the making! Join Beacon and our partners at the groundbreaking for Emerson Village family supportive housing located in North Minneapolis.
We will celebrate progress on creating 40 new apartment homes for families that, when open, will offer support services for each member of the family and provide what they need to thrive together.
We will also mark a moment of transition for the Emerson Village site, honoring the Families Moving Forward program center, whose site is being adapted to create homes that families can make their own.
Special guests include Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, and many others who have helped make Emerson Village a reality.
