December Grants have been awarded! Thanks to our generous donors and OYH board members, we were able to award $66,000 in funds this month to Minnesota crisis service agencies in need!
Hunger and Homeless Grant Recipients
ACBC Food Shelf
$2,642 | Anoka, MN
For empowerment coats, hand and feet warmers, and wool socks to help individuals experiencing homelessness get through the cold winter months.
Avenues for Youth
$5,362 | Minneapolis, MN
For updated furniture and kitchen equipment to help create a welcoming and sanitary living space for youth experiencing homelessness.
Emily Emergency Food Shelf
$961 | Emily, MN
For shelving units to better display healthy food options and provide a more sanitary environment.
Guild Incorporated
$6,714 | St. Paul, MN
For street outreach supplies to provide immediate assistance to individuals living on the street or in emergency shelters.
HOPE Coalition
$1,315 | Red Wing, MN
For winter outreach supplies for individuals experiencing homelessness and facing trauma.
ICA Food Shelf
$2,323 | Minnetonka, MN
For a new upright commercial freezer for additional food storage and to be able to properly store and display frozen food options.
North Suburban Emergency Assistance Response (NEAR)h
$3,437 | Minneapolis, MN
For a new refrigerator and freezer to ensure that safe and healthy food is available for local families facing food insecurity.
Partners for Affordable Housing
$6,200 | Mankato, MN
For a new security system to provide safe housing for individuals escaping domestic violence and sex trafficking.
Prince of Peace – Mission Outpost
$5,556 | Burnsville, MN
For a new freezer to provide a full shopping model food shelf, while allowing food shelf clients to shop independently for frozen meats.
Rivers of Hope
$1,500 | Monticello, MN
For emergency shelter packets with motel vouchers and resources for individuals escaping domestic violence when shelter is unavailable.
Senior Homelessness Project Recipients
The fastest growing segment of the homeless population this decade has been among individuals 55 years old and over. The 60% growth in Minnesota in the past decade has presented unique barriers and challenges faced by homeless senior citizens and those who serve them. Most homeless seniors have at least one chronic health condition and, since many are homeless for the first time, they are particularly vulnerable.
Through a special RFP, Open Your Heart is providing direct financial and technical support the following shelters and other facilities serving homeless seniors in Minnesota to address issues relating to services.
Advocates Against Domestic Abuse dba HOPE
$3,000 | Aitkin, MN
To establish a fund to assist domestic violence senior victims with housing and food needs.
CAER Food Shelf
$3,000 | Elk River, MN
To provide and expand shelter financial assistance to seniors in the form of security deposits, first month’s rent, and application fees.
Churches United
$1,000 | Moorhead, MN
Transportation funding including Uber and taxi rides and city bus tickets for seniors 55+ and older.
Community Action Center of Northfield
$3,000 | Northfield, MN
To provide direct rental assistance and other financial support to seniors experiencing housing instability while creating permanent housing.
Hospitality House of Owatonna
$3,000 | Owatonna, MN
To assist Hospitality House in starting a program called Senior Housing Assistance Program, which will provide additional assistance to the seniors accepted into their programs.
House of Charity
$1,983 | Minneapolis, MN
To make one of the bathrooms in their Food Centre fully accessible and easier to use for the older adults.
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
$3,000 | St. Paul
To provide direct financial assistance to senior Veterans for security deposits or rent to prevent or end homelessness.
Minnesota Engagement on Shelter and Housing (MESH)
$3,000 | Minneapolis, MN
For State-wide trainings that will build capacity & expertise of homeless service providers in MN to better assess, care for, and deliver services to senior citizens experiencing homelessness.
Pearl Crisis Center
$3,000 | Milaca, MN
To provide safe housing needs to seniors in the form of hotel vouchers, rent, deposit, mortgage and basic emergency needs to keep senior victims of domestic and sexual violence safe.
Servants of Shelter of Koochiching County
$3,000 | International Falls, MN
To support homeless seniors with their emergency shelter, transportation, and food needs, as well as offer much needed financial assistance to move into permanent housing.
The Dwelling Place
$3,000 | Columbia Heights, MN
Financial hardship fund for assistance with first month’s rent, security deposit, application fees, moving costs, and transportation costs to appointments.