Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock
If I asked you to give me one dollar, and promised you twelve dollars in a year, would you do it? If I offered you a night in a jail cell for $308 or a night in a small apartment for $45, which would you choose? These are choices that are being made with public moneys every day, and yet most of us do not understand the choice. In 2013, the Minnesota Department of Human Services found that for every $1.00 spent on drug treatment services, $12 is returned to society in reduction in drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and health care costs. A night in the Hennepin County Jail cost approximately $308.76, while a night in the House of Charity cost $45.16.
For more than 60 years, House of Charity, 510 S 8th Street, has been serving those in need in Minneapolis. The mission is to feed those in need, house those experiencing homelessness, and empower individuals to achieve independence. The House of Charity’s treatment program served 211 people in 2015, with a return on investment to society of $6,542,700.
In 2015, House of Charity was presented with the chance to purchase the Finance and Commerce building on 7th Street and Portland Avenue, which is the land adjoining the current Food Centre. With that purchase, there are plans and a capital campaign to raise $23 million to build 55 units of permanent supportive housing, an expanded addiction and mental illness treatment facility, a new Food Centre with improved kitchen and dining room, an upgrade to the current Transitional Housing building, and units reserved for youth and veterans experiencing homelessness. $18 million of that total will come from government funds with the remaining $5 million to be raised from private capital.
Once the new building is completed, it will allow House of Charity to double the number of people served, increasing the return on investment to an estimated $13,642,536. These are powerful and compelling figures that make a strong case for this type of investment of public moneys.
The Food Centre is the only public lunch program in Minneapolis that is open 365 days a year. Breakfast and lunch are available on weekdays, and there's a weekend brunch. In 2015, House of Charity’s Food Center served 130,827 meals, averaging 237 meals every day.
Please meet two people whose lives are better because of the work House of Charity does every day of the year. Terry is 84 years old and has lived on the streets for more than 3 decades, his life marked with unthinkable trauma, sadness, and loss. After serving his country as a soldier, he has encountered one devastating life experience after another, each one cutting a little bit more out of his resilience. His experience with homelessness began in 1985, when his beloved dog, Cliff had to be put down. “The day I had my dog put down hurt me more because Cliff was the last vestige of my former life.” When Cliff died, Terry lost the last remaining link to his past and he gave up on everything. Terry lived on the streets for over 30 years, admitting, “I put it off...I really didn’t want to come inside and have to live by someone else’s rules.” He used to come to the Food Centre at least 4 times a week for his one “sit down and enjoyable” meal. With his eyesight and health deteriorating rapidly, he knew living on the street was no longer an option.
Eight years ago, Jennifer suffered severe back trauma when a speeding car in a mall parking lot struck her. As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN), Jennifer worked two different jobs at assisted living facilities for the elderly. She loved her work and had been doing it for 18 years. Disabled and unable to work, she soon lost her home and was forced to live in her car. Driving by House of Charity one day compelled her to stop in. She remembers being treated with compassion and respect, and soon found the help she needed to find housing. Now she walks with a cane and is exploring a change with her profession that will allow her to continue to work. She remains grateful to House of Charity and optimistic about her future.
House of Charity does kind, respectful, compassionate work 365 days a year, and they can do more with help. How can you help? There are several ways:
· Learn more about House of Charity and the work they do. Go to http://www.houseofcharity.org/ and sign up for the newsletter.
· Volunteer for weekend brunches at http://www.houseofcharity.org/volunteer
· Tell other people about what you have learned and your experience as a volunteer.
· Donate
Please consider not only the personal costs to those experiencing homelessness, but the societal costs. We can invest our money and help improve the lives of so many, and reap the financial benefits of those investments.
Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 3:00AM
