Participants at the Portico event gather for a photo. Photo courtesy of House of Hope.

It's winter in Minnesota, which means that we can expect frigid temperatures.  The temperature early this morning (January 24) was -42°F in Embarass, MN! 

For most of us, below zero temps are a nusiance as we hope our cars will start in the morning.  But for a growing number of Minnesotans, an artic blast could mean death.

On January 16, a front page story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on the growing problem of homelessness in the Metro Twin Cities. Homeless shelters like the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul and the Harbor Lights Shelter in Minneapolis have seen their daily numbers rise recently with experts saying the sluggish economy plays a role.

The night before the Star Tribune article came out, a major event to fight homelessness in Minnesota took place at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. 

Sponsored by Portico Interfaith Housing Collaborative (formerly Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation) the event at House of Hope brought 200 people representing 38 congregations and 44 State House districts to talk about homelessness and affordable housing primarily to youth.  Portico hopes to persuade lawmakers in St. Paul to fund the Homeless Youth Act with $8 million.

House of Hope itself pledged $500,000 to the Prior Crossing project which will house 40 or more young adults. 

House of Hope is not the only church involved in housing homeless youth.  Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis has been involved in Nicollet Square in Minneapolis working to give young people a home. 

Westminster and House of Hope are not the only PTCA congregations involved in fighting homelessness.  The following congregations are also involved with Portico: 

• Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina
• St. Luke Presbyterian Church, Wayzata
• Valley Community Presbyterian, Golden Valley

We give thank for all congregations, both named and unnamed, that are working to house the homeless.

Downtown Congregations for Ending Homelessness will host  the 2013 DCEH Legislative Kickoff on January 29 where you can learn about what homelessness issues will be up for consideration in St. Paul.  You don't have to be in downtown Minneapolis to take part.  Go to www.dceh.org for more information.

If you'd like to do something more hands-on consider volunteering with Project Homeless Connect.  PHC is a twice yearly event at the Minneapolis Convention Center that provides a one-stop-shop of comprehensive support services for people experiencing homelessness. The next event is May 20, 2013.  For more information or to volunteer, visit their website.

Did you know that the State of Minnesota and Hennepin County want to end homelessness by 2016?  That's the goal of Heading Home Hennepin/Minnesota, a national recognized program that works with all sectors of society in Minnesota to make sure every Minnesotan has a home.  Find out more here.   

Finally, every December there is a somber march that works its way through the streets of Minneapolis to remember those homeless persons who died in the past year.  The Homeless Memorial is a powerful reminder that while many of those who died are nameless to the greater society, they are someone's mother or sister, brother or father.  Read about the Memorial's beginnings here.