Participant Jerry Finds Housing!
Jerry has been a regular at the Dignity Center since Fall of 2019. Well known to staff, volunteers, and other participants, Jerry is quick to provide a bright smile and contagious laugh when he walks through the door. He reports that he particularly enjoys the “hospitality and sense of belonging” he experiences while at the Dignity Center.

Jerry is truly a valued member of our community and we are so pleased to share that after 4 years of living in shelter while seeking permanent housing, Jerry has found a home!

Jerry recently shared that his new place is “peaceful and relaxing” and that the best thing is “I know that I have it, no matter what.” A self-described optimist, Jerry stated now that he knows what to do, his persistence and strength will be his guides as he maintains secure and stable housing.
He also knows that support provided by the Dignity Center is something he can rely on throughout his journey. Congratulations to Jerry!
Rental Assistance Update:
Huge Increase in Requests for Assistance
Now that we are half-way through 2022, some new statistics are out from our partner Align Mpls and other sources about the state of housing and need for rental assistance. 

Through our partnership with Align Minneapolis, Minneapolis residents are eligible to receive Emergency Rental Assistance if they meet various criteria. This helps struggling individuals and families avoid being evicted and homeless by receiving one-time help in the case of a crisis. 

Because of the pandemic, inflation, and other crises, reviewed ERA applications have more than DOUBLED between May and June!! In June Align reviewed more than the total of applications they had received earlier in 2022!

Themes we saw in the reason households fell behind on rent included- job loss, instability in hours at jobs, loss of income due to illness, and car repair expenses.

The Dignity Center assists individuals in filling out ERA applications. Many come in several times to work through getting all the necessary paperwork. THANK YOU for keeping our doors open to serve our community! Keeping our neighbors housed and stable helps strengthen our community for all of us!
SAVE THE DATE! AUGUST 31, 2022
The Dignity Center and YOU have now served 100,000 lbs of food!

Join us to celebrate this milestone occasion! The Dignity Center and YOU have now served 100,000 pounds of food in partnership with Second Harvest Heartland! Food isn't our main mission, but is a very necessary piece to fuel our participants on their path to having a stable, safe home and livelihood. We are using this milestone to bring awareness to the great need that still exists in our community, and to raise funds for the future of The Dignity Center. 
 
When: Wednesday, August 31st at noon!
Where: The Dignity Center
What: Party! Lunch and cake provided by 2nd Harvest!

Please RSVP to dignity@haumc.org for us to get a rough number for planning purposes.

We need your help to do our work. Please donate HERE to support our participants as they struggle to avoid homelessness and we provide invaluable advocacy for our participants long-term. Thank you!

Thank you! YOU make all this possible! We would not have been able to reach this point without you!
The Dignity Center Advisory Board
Interested in helping lead The Dignity Center into a new phase? We are forming an advisory board for The Dignity Center, and looking for people to join! Here are some of the skills we are seeking out: advocacy, finance, fundraising, legal, marketing/communications, and strategic planning. Please contact Sarah Doebler, Development Director, for more information at sarah@haumc.org. Thank you!
The Dignity Center is a ministry of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.
LOCATION AND HOURS
The Dignity Center is located at 425 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | 612-435-1315
Visit us Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 9am to noon