What Connects a Lutheran Church in Edina and Homeless Families Living in the Phillips Neighborhood of Minneapolis?
For congregants of Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina, family homelessness is an important issue. Since 2003, the church has owned and operated Normandale House, a triplex in the Phillips neighborhood providing transitional housing for three families experiencing homelessness. The length of stay for each family varies – for some only a few weeks are necessary. For others, the full two-year opportunity is utilized. For every family at Normandale House, the congregation plays an active role. Each family who moves in to Normandale House is connected with two different groups of congregants: one is called ‘family friends’, providing non-judgmental encouragement, listening and friendship; the other is called a ‘support team’, intended to provide regular, structured communication to ensure the family is staying on track with goals. A resident case manager works with all of the families, and helps connect residents with resources and information, including independent living skills, job trai
