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Parsonage - List of possible uses
Parsonage - Summary of Discussions
Resources Group - Schedule & Charter
The Mission Project & Parsonage - Background
10/15/07 Resources Group meeting notes
7/10/07 Resources & Mission joint meeting
6/24/07 meeting notes
6/12/07 Resources Group meeting notes
5/31/07 Resources Group meeting notes
5/20/07 meeting notes
4/29/07 meeting notes
4/15/07 meeting notes
2/11/07 meeting notes |
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THE MISSION PROJECT MARCH 25, 2007 Next meetings of the MIssion Project: April 25: Focus on NIP April 29: Focus on Hunger ATTENDING: Ross Bartels, John Bergford, Judyth Bigelow, Margaret Blobaum, Lance Breiland, Marty Carlson, Sean Coleman, Jessica Drecktrah, John Hanson, Kathy Hering, Nancy Lepardus, Steve Maurelli, Bruce Sabatke, Mary Sabatke, Lee Wilson, Marlene Wilson FACILITATOR: Marty Carlson FOCUS: Homelessness PRESENTERS: Jenny Mason, Congregational Partnership Organizer; Lee Blons, Executive Director of Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation, and Terry Goudy, Co-Founder, Homeless Against Homeless (HAH) Comments from Jenny Mason: On any given night there are 9,300 homeless in Minnesota, 47% of whom are under 21 years of age. People of color are disproportionately represented in those who are homeless. There is a often a history of domestic violence and childhood abuse, as well as a frequent previous history of out of home placement of youth. There is an increasing number of older adults and of war veterans. More youth are opting not to stay in shelters but to "crash" on the streets. One in four homeless adults was first homeless as a child. Heading Home Hennepin is a program dedicated to preventing homelessness through the development of 500 new housing opportunities, as well as improving outreach and services to the homeless. This ten-year plan addresses and hopes to resolve issues that will help to end homelessness in Minneapolis and Hennepin County by the year 2016. More information on this effort to end homelessness can be found at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/homelessness Two supportive programs were discussed briefly: Project Lydia Apartments offers a permanent supportive community to people with disabilities and provides services tailored to the needs of the clients. www.plymouthfoundation.org/lydia.htm Project Anpa Waste Numpa is a Division of Indian Services project offering supportive help and living facilities to teen age Native American others. www.plymouthfoundation.org/anpawaste.htm There are several existing congregational partnership initiatives, including Plymouth Congregational and Westminster Presbyterian, Mayflower Congregational and NOAH, the Nokomis Organization for Affordable Housing. Ms. Mason stressed that collaborative congregational models must tap into the passions of the congregation. Ms. Mason's group can provide experts and guidance to assist congregations in leveraging any congregational resources available. (Further contact information for Jenny Mason is available through Steve Maurelli.) Comments from Terry Goudy: Mr. Goudy is a resident of the Project Lydia Apartments. He spoke of his experiences as a homeless person and stressed the fact that being homeless leads a person to depression, desperation, and the loss of "get up and go". He was homeless off and on as a child. After four years in the military he was injured in a work related accident, leading to disability that led him to become homeless again. He is a co-founder of HAH, Homeless Against Homelessness, an organization designed to give the homeless a voice. The organization works to raise awareness of homelessness and of the need to end homelessness and not simply manage homelessness. Comments from Lee Blons: There is a proposal in the legislature for bi-partisan support for homelessness resources. She spoke of various aspects of government involvement in homelessness resources. Currently, government is spending less on housing for the homeless today than in the 1970's. She spoke also about the Mayflower UCC project which is beginning the process of developing a multi unit housing facility on land adjacent to the church parking lot. Steve Maurelli: Steve raised the question of what might the role of LOTI and another organization look like. How can we take advantage of outside expertise in creating a project to benefit the homeless/ He re-emphasized the need for the congregation to spend time identifying our passion. LOTI Confirmands - Youth on the Street Project: LOTI Confirmands Blake Madson, Emma Peterson, Betsy Robinson, Rolf Tengdin, Kristin Vaillancourt and Grete Wilt will be sleeping overnight in cardboard box shelters in the parking lot of Mayflower United Congregational Church on April 20. This simulation of homelessness is a fundraiser for groups of Minneapolis youth who will spend the night in the street so that others don't have to. The confirmands are seeking financial pledges for their effort. Each student hopes to raise a minimum of $100. Next meetings of the MIssion Project: April 25: Focus on NIP April 29: Focus on Hunger Meetings will be in Fellowship Hall following Coffee Hour. A light lunch will be provided. |
