Housing is more than just protection from the outdoor elements. Safe and stable housing is a basic need, and it can be difficult or impossible to care for your mental health if that need is not met. Stable Housing Stable (or secure) housing means that you aren’t living in uncertainty...
Room 99 Project — July Update
After two years, we are thrilled to announce that the renovation of Room 99 is complete! Thanks to the hard work of Langer Construction, the furniture assembly and tile expertise of Scott Keyes, the steady assistance of Clayton Gardner, and the wonderful volunteers who cleaned the space and unpacked, washed,...
Room 99 Project Update – June 2022
A lot is happening with Room 99! Recent highlights include a successful plumbing inspection, completion of electrical wiring, painting in the bathroom and main living space, installation of the flooring and baseboards, preparation for installing the heating and cooling unit, and installation of the door frames to the apartment and...
Room 99 Project Update – April 2022
Relieved. Excited. Ready. All of these describe how the Immigrant Justice Team reacted when we learned that the City of Saint Paul approved the building permit for Room 99 on April 1. Let the renovation begin! The permitting process, while lengthy, gave us time to look carefully at the space....
Room 99 Project Update – February 2022
Long-time Minnesotans have their own brand of faith in resurrection. We cling to the hope that, despite all the snow on the ground and the overnight lows, spring is around the corner. That hope is proving indispensable as we await the start of renovations to Room 99. This past month,...
Room 99 Project Update – December 2021
We are close. In our last update, we reported that Room 99 renovations could not begin until plans to satisfy Saint Paul zoning and code requirements had been approved by the City. We’re happy to report that we received zoning approval on Dec. 6, along with this nice comment: “Thank...
Room 99 Project Update – November 2021
From the moment we began to imagine housing asylum seekers at Gloria Dei, we’ve been learning. The month of November was no exception, with education happening on many fronts. - The Immigrant Justice Team hosted two Sunday Forums that detailed the experience of asylum seekers (Nov. 7) and provided an...
Gloria Dei Supports Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative
$10,000 Gift Approved by Council At the October 2021 Church Council meeting, the Gloria Dei Gifts, Grants and Memorials Committee (GGM) recommended a $10,000 gift to Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative (Beacon). As seed money, this gift will support a planned project to develop permanent affordable and supportive housing for families...
Room 99 Project Update – September 2021
On May 16, 2021, the congregation renewed its commitment to immigrant justice and voted to modify Room 99, an underused classroom, to add shower and clothes washing facilities and upgrade the current kitchenette. This is the latest on the project. Anticipation is growing around the Room 99 ministry! Months of...
Join the Room 99 Preparation Effort
—Message by Lenore Franzen As the Immigrant Justice Team prepares Room 99 to serve as temporary housing for asylum seekers, we’ve been busy with many tasks: - Meeting with the construction company - Building a network of community partners - Ordering kitchen cabinets - Planning and putting processes in place...