The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

November 17, 2008

Your View — Theresa House’s services essential, especially now

Kathryn Baxter, Mankato

As our economy continues to plummet, and more Americans find their family’s future under the threat of poverty, we are on the brink of losing one of our community’s most important services: outreach for the homeless. My employment as a resident manager at Theresa House since early 2006 has exposed me to a population of people who have come from unfathomable living conditions and face uncertain futures.

From July 2007 to July of this year, we served over 100 families and single women — over 77 percent of the heads of these households were homeless for the first time, and more than half of our guests were children. Given our limited space and lengthening waiting list, we were forced to turn down over 800 people last year.

Now, Theresa House is facing homelessness. The space inhabited by the shelter has been a lease-free donation by SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and will no longer be available after July 2010.

I have met a variety of people who are suffering but have found hope and direction from their stay. Theresa House provides short term interim housing (usually two to six months), during which time social workers and staff work with guests to find and secure long-term, affordable housing.

More and more people are facing a life on the street during an unforgiving Minnesota winter, and places like Theresa House need your support. It is the responsibility of the community to keep these essential services available, especially at a time when everyone’s future is uncertain.

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