About the FM Shelters:
About the FM Shelters:
CHURCHES UNITED FOR THE HOMELESS
www.churches-united.org
“Shelter and Support in a Spiritual Setting”
1901 1st Ave N
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218)236-0372
OUR MISSION
Churches United for the Homeless was established in 1987 in the old Bethesda
Lutheran Church building in Moorhead, MN. The facility’s mission of “shelter and
support in a spiritual setting” was initiated by a handful of local churches who
desired to assist the homeless in our community. Prior to this time, the
basement of the Newman Center on the MSUM campus had periodically been used to
shelter the homeless, but proved to be inadequate to house the growing number of
homeless in the community. Churches United housed men, women, and families at
the 203 6th St S Moorhead location for a total of 17 years. In the late 1990’s
it became apparent that the hundred-year old structure was rapidly deteriorating
and badly in need of repairs. Estimates by architects and others showed that
renovations would cost nearly 2.5 million, and it became clear that a search for
a new shelter was the most feasible option.
IN 2002, the old Plunkett’s furniture building was located as a possible site
for relocation and the building was purchased that year by our member churches.
In 2003 renovations began on the old furniture building, and in September of
2004 Churches United was able to open its doors to homeless men, women, and
families in our new location. Each and every person involved in the relocation
has been more than pleased with the drastic improvements in space, sanitation,
and expanded services.
OUR STAFF AND SERVICES
Our facility is staffed by a number of persons who work on-site, and by a number
of outreach workers that come into the building to provide services to homeless
persons. Our direct staff includes an executive director, shelter director, case
manager, family case manager, transitional housing director, kitchen manager,
administrative assistant, and several shelter supervisors. Our staff is also
assisted by several Experience Works volunteers. Some of the agencies that come
into our facility to meet with clients include VA outreach workers, financial
workers from Clay County Social Services, other case managers, and Dress for
Success workers who staff their program in the lower level of our facility.
Churches United provides many services to the homeless in our community. We have
beds available to house up to 20 men, 6 women, and 6 families, and 2
emergency-use rooms. We provide three meals during the weekday that are open to
the public, and two meals daily on the weekends. Each week we have a food pantry
that is open to the public, and daily we have a free bread shelf. Our clothing
room is open to our clients and the public as staffing allows. We provide
on-site case management to our clients, and referrals to appropriate agencies in
the community. We also have a “social hour” on Fridays that is open to the
public and various other holiday events; including a Christmas store and other
children’s activities on the holidays.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donations – Churches United for the Homeless survives primarily through the
donations of our member churches and from those of individuals in the community.
Needed donations include:
Monetary Donations
Food Donations
Hygiene Supplies
Bedding
Clothing
Misc. cleaning supplies, furniture, etc…
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Churches United for the Homeless relies on our volunteer workforce for a variety
of necessary services that we provide to our clients. All of our evening meals
and weekend brunches are entirely staffed by volunteers who prepare and serve
these meals. In addition, we have many other volunteer opportunities.
PLEASE CONTACT BESS ASKEW, SHELTER DIRECTOR, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER
INDIVIDUALLY OR WITH A GROUP. (218)236-0372 EXT 223
DOROTHY DAY
www.fmddh.org
Shelter
714 8th Street South
Moorhead MN, 56560
Phone: 218-233-5763
Fax: 218-227-0327
E-mail: fmddh@cableone.net
Food Pantry
1308 Main Avenue
Moorhead MN, 56560
Phone: 218-790-1048
Programs and Information
The F-M Dorothy Day House of Hospitality, Inc. is a caring Christian community
that provides services to the homeless and hungry. The goals are to: (1) provide
housing and food to those in need, (2) educate guests at the house and clients
at the food pantry on services they may qualify for, (3) develop positive
interactions between guests/clients, staff, and volunteers, (4) raise awareness
and encourage action for social justice and peace in order to change unjust
structures and promote peace, and (5) follow a model of continuous improvement
for the organization. At the end of the day, everyone deserves a safe place to
stay and food in their stomachs, and we strive to attain this goal.
The impact our organization has on our guests and clients is phenomenal; lives
are literally saved. In 2007, 310 men stayed at the house, and 519 visitors came
to access the shower and laundry facilities. Furthermore, 18,388 men, women, and
children received food from the Dorothy Day Food Pantry, amounting to 333,101
pounds of food.
Our organization consists of two programs: a shelter and a food pantry. We
strive to serve the homeless and hungry of the Fargo-Moorhead area. We help feed
our neighbors and community members in need. Even more, we help provide food,
shelter, and clothing, which are all basic human rights, to vulnerable
populations.
Shelter
First, the Dorothy Day House is an emergency shelter for ten adult men. These
men must have a desire and willingness to make positive changes in their lives.
In addition, the Dorothy Day House allow individuals living on the streets to
come to the shelter for showers, laundry, blankets, and toiletries. Each month
our shelter serves 100-300 people.
Food Pantry
Second, the Dorothy Day Food Pantry distributes food to families and individuals
in need. Hungry people have come to the house for meals and food since its
opening in 1983; however, as the reputation of serving hungry people grew and
the need was apparent, a building large enough to accommodate the community's
needs was purchased, and our organization's current food pantry opened its doors
to the public in 1999. In 2008 our food pantry was awarded Blue Ribbon
recognition through Hunger Solutions of Minnesota. It is now open Monday through
Thursday from 7pm-8pm, serving about 1500 peoples a month from Cass and Clay
counties.
YWCA
www.ywcacassclay.org
Emergency Shelter
3000 S. University Drive
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: 701-232-3449
Fax: 701-232-9408
A Child’s World
3100 12th Ave. N.
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: 701-298-8047
Fax: 701-232-2590
Mission Statement
The Young Women's Christian Association of the United States of America is a
women's membership movement nourished by its roots in the Christian faith and
sustained by the richness of many beliefs and values.
The mission of the YWCA is to provide services and programs for women of all
ages in order to empower them socially, economically, politically, spiritually
and physically. Strengthened by diversity, the Association draws together
members who strive in order to obtain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom
and dignity for all people.
The YWCA's One Imperative is to thrust its collective power toward the
elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.
Emergency Shelter
The purpose of the Emergency Shelter is to provide safe housing to women and
children, along with advocacy and education, in order that current residents may
attain alternative housing.
The Emergency Shelter is a safe, locked facility staffed by trained
professionals 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Along with housing, the
shelter provides emergency food, personal items, transportation assistance,
information & referral services, and emotional support.
The YWCA shelter housed over 1400 women and children in 2007. There are many
reasons women seek our shelter but the top three reasons are domestic violence,
homelessness, and economic devastation. In 2007, 481 women came to our safe
haven due to domestic violence, 424 for homelessness, and 194 for economic
devastation.
A Child’s World
As part of the YWCA’s mission to empower women and eliminate racism, the center
is committed to providing care in an environment that supports the needs of all
families, regardless of their social, ethnic or economic status. A Child's World
is dedicated to providing quality care that will enrich a child’s unique social,
emotional, physical and intellectual development. A Child's World's primary
goals are to:
1. Provide a developmentally appropriate environment
for young children
2. Support and strengthen the quality of life for young
children and their families
3. Provide care in an environment that supports the
needs of all families, regardless of their structure or diversity.
Ages: 6 weeks through 12 years
NEW LIFE CENTER
www.fargonlc.org
Emergency Shelter
1902 3rd Ave.
Fargo, ND 58102
Phone: 701-235-4453
Fax: 701-235-4454
Available Services
-Emergency Shelter
-Meals for Residents
-Furniture or Vouchers
-Direct Medical Assistance
-Direct Substance Abuse Services
-Referrals
Emergency Shelter
The New Life Center accepts male who are seeking shelter and assistance. The
shelter contains 95 beds and hosts an average of 85-90 individuals per night.
In addition to providing housing, the New Life Center also provides three meals
a day to both residents and non-residents. The New Life Center served 83,849
meals in 2007 and averages about 230 meals per day.
New Life Center also provides direct medical assistance and direct substance
abuse services. There is a medical clinic open two times per week and there are
case managers available seven days a week. Also, the New Life Center has a
treatment program available for individuals struggling with addiction and
chemical dependency. Nurses and licensed counselors are available to help
individuals through 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics
Anonymous.
GLADYS RAY SHELTER
gladysrayshelter
Emergency Shelter
1519 1st Avenue S.
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: 701-364-0116
Fax: 701-241-1526
Mission Statement
The mission of the Gladys Ray Shelter is to provide a safe and comfortable place
to stay for people who cannot access other shelter options in the community. The
emergency shelter will also help connect people to permanent housing and
services in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment.
Shelter Information
The Gladys Ray Shelter is able to serve 25 men and 10 women per night.
Construction is underway on a community-based alcohol detoxification facility
set to open at the site in May 2008. It will offer non-medical detox services to
help an additional 25 individuals per night stabilize their physical, mental and
emotional well being. Follow-up and referrals will be central to this program.
Staff will help connect guests with community services, make calls, assist with
paperwork, and refer clients to medical, psychiatric and substance abuse care as
needed.
Right now, the shelter is open from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Once fully operational,
the facility will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The shelter is
located at 1519 1st Avenue South.
YOUTHWORKS
youthworks
Emergency Shelter
317 University Dr. S.
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: 701-232-8558
Fax: 701-232-7688
Shelter Information
Youthworks provides a comprehensive range of support services for youth and
their families to meet goals for strong, healthy relationships. Youthworks is a
community-based agency serving youth through programs that include:
1. Runaway Services
2. Emergency Shelter Care
3. Individual Counseling
4. Family counseling and mediation
5. Peer Support Groups
6. Peer Youthworker Program
7. Transitional Housing Program
8. Independent Living Program
9. Street outreach
10. Court Diversion Program
The Youthworks shelter contains seven beds available to youth seeking housing
assistance.