Homeless shelter facing homelessness
The Theresa House in Mankato, which serves more than 100 individuals a year, has just two years and limited funds with which to relocate
by Rachel Heiderscheidt
Issue date: 9/30/08
Section: Local and State News
In a town like Mankato, it is easy to forget that homelessness exists. Still, the Theresa House, which provides emergency shelter for the homeless, had to turn down 835 individuals last year alone.
The organization itself is now facing homelessness. The building, located at 512 East Mulberry Street, will soon be repurposed by its owner, the Church of St. Peter and Paul.
Theresa House manager Pam Bartholmew explained that the church began using two floors in the building for seminary training for boys age 14 to 18.
"The institute was overwhelmed by the demand for boys to be admitted, so they need the rest of the building to have as many boys participate in the minor seminary as possible," Bartholmew said.
Since the Theresa House never had a lease with the church, it must find a new building to house the program if it is to continue.
"We're looking for the community to come together with us … to see what we can come up with," she said.
In order to address the problem, an open meeting for all supporters of the Theresa House will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Episcopal Church at the corner of Broad and Warren Streets in Mankato.
"It's the timeline that caused such a crisis," Bartholmew said. She explained it takes about three to five years to complete a new building, but the program has only two years and limited funds to do so.
Additionally, a press release stated the timeline for repurposing the building was initially five years, not 20 months.
On top of relocating, members of the program want to double the capacity from 18 beds to 36, which would mean increasing funds and the budget by 75 percent, according to the press release.
Meanwhile, the space available to Theresa House will be cut in half next year, meaning only nine beds will be available.
"It's more than just one person, it's the community. Most of the people we serve are from the greater Mankato area," Bartholmew said.
According to its Web site, theresahouse.org, the Theresa House provides housing for about 18 individuals who stay for an average of three months. The program provides more than shelter, however.
Bartholmew explained that while there, individuals are required to complete chores and see a social worker once a week. She added that the greatest goal is to get them back on their feet and ensure they are never homeless again. For this reason, the Theresa House checks up on past patrons four times within the first year they leave - at one month, three months, six months and finally one year.
They also offer a program involving Minnesota State called "Student to Student" in which MSU students tutor and participate in recreational activities with high school students at Theresa House.
But all these programs could cease to exist if the Theresa House does not find appropriate housing.
"It's hard to admit you're homeless," Bartholmew said. "We do not have a homeless population here that is visible."
Visible or not, the Theresa House sees more than 100 individuals a year in need of a safe place to stay. Whether it continues to do so or not, however, depends on the Mankato community.
Rachel Heiderscheidt is a Reporter staff writer
The organization itself is now facing homelessness. The building, located at 512 East Mulberry Street, will soon be repurposed by its owner, the Church of St. Peter and Paul.
Theresa House manager Pam Bartholmew explained that the church began using two floors in the building for seminary training for boys age 14 to 18.
"The institute was overwhelmed by the demand for boys to be admitted, so they need the rest of the building to have as many boys participate in the minor seminary as possible," Bartholmew said.
Since the Theresa House never had a lease with the church, it must find a new building to house the program if it is to continue.
"We're looking for the community to come together with us … to see what we can come up with," she said.
In order to address the problem, an open meeting for all supporters of the Theresa House will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Episcopal Church at the corner of Broad and Warren Streets in Mankato.
"It's the timeline that caused such a crisis," Bartholmew said. She explained it takes about three to five years to complete a new building, but the program has only two years and limited funds to do so.
Additionally, a press release stated the timeline for repurposing the building was initially five years, not 20 months.
On top of relocating, members of the program want to double the capacity from 18 beds to 36, which would mean increasing funds and the budget by 75 percent, according to the press release.
Meanwhile, the space available to Theresa House will be cut in half next year, meaning only nine beds will be available.
"It's more than just one person, it's the community. Most of the people we serve are from the greater Mankato area," Bartholmew said.
According to its Web site, theresahouse.org, the Theresa House provides housing for about 18 individuals who stay for an average of three months. The program provides more than shelter, however.
Bartholmew explained that while there, individuals are required to complete chores and see a social worker once a week. She added that the greatest goal is to get them back on their feet and ensure they are never homeless again. For this reason, the Theresa House checks up on past patrons four times within the first year they leave - at one month, three months, six months and finally one year.
They also offer a program involving Minnesota State called "Student to Student" in which MSU students tutor and participate in recreational activities with high school students at Theresa House.
But all these programs could cease to exist if the Theresa House does not find appropriate housing.
"It's hard to admit you're homeless," Bartholmew said. "We do not have a homeless population here that is visible."
Visible or not, the Theresa House sees more than 100 individuals a year in need of a safe place to stay. Whether it continues to do so or not, however, depends on the Mankato community.
Rachel Heiderscheidt is a Reporter staff writer
Be the first to comment on this story