Onward Eden Prairie

(Previously known as Haven House)

Immanuel has a vision to help provide safe places for youth experiencing homelessness in the south-west metro.  An Immanuel member donated funds to help purchase a house for this project, and Immanuel’s Opening Doors campaign provided $200,000 of seed money, and Immanuel’s Kim Rathjen (Coordinator of Outreach) is working with a community-wide board to make this collaborative vision become a reality. Onward Eden Prairie, a house for precariously housed young adults will open in August of 2018.

Onward EP house ribbon cutting

Abundantly More
By Kim Rathjen, Coordinator of Inreach and Outreach

August 2018

It has been my immense joy to work on behalf of Immanuel and in the community to open affordable housing for young adults experiencing homelessness in our community.  Three years ago in October, God planted a thought in my head – “We need to buy that house” – when the house across the street from the church was on the market.  Sometimes I hear a still small voice from God, but this was a loud clear statement!

Within the Immanuel family I shared this seed of a thought, and I am humbled to look back now to see how God has tended and grown that thought into action, generosity and a new non-profit called Onward Eden Prairie, which will begin housing four young adults this fall.  For all of this to have happened in a three-year time frame is amazing, and, for me, is evidence of God’s leading.
There are so many people who helped us get to this point, not least of which is the donor who gave money so that Immanuel could purchase a house (It ended up not being the one across the street, but, in fact, is a better house for our purposes!). Immanuel leadership has been supportive of this idea of being actively engaged in our community which has freed me to pursue this vision from God. Members of the community of Eden Prairie have grabbed on to the vision and every time there has been a need, it has been filled.  People who have given their time and talents include realtors, lawyers, tradespeople, decorators, cleaners, civic organizations and other faith communities. God is so very good at providing what we need even before we know we need it.

Because Onward Eden Prairie is a community-based non-profit, I am not always able to publicly talk about my deepest belief that this is a God-inspired, God-directed, God-fulfilled mission.  But to you, my family of faith, I declare it to be so! The Apostle Paul’s words to the Ephesians express my thoughts well: Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. ~Ephesians 3:20-21

The needs for Onward Eden Prairie and our residents will continue, and I am confident that God will continue to provide. Thank you for travelling with me on this journey. We are moving onward together!

More information about Onward EP can be found at http://www.onwardep.org or on our Facebook page.

Housing Project Set to Open this (2018) Summer!

Immanuel has been on the leading edge of a community collaboration that has resulted in the formation of a community-based non-profit called Onward Eden Prairie.  Onward EP’s mission is to help young adults who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity by providing stable housing and support. Onward EP is poised to open the doors of a 4-bedroom house owned by Immanuel and leased to the non-profit later this summer.
The community collaboration to make the vision for the house become a reality has been supported by many civic organizations and other groups within the community.  These include:

• The Eden Prairie Community Foundation - Several financial gifts towards the work of Onward EP have come through the foundation and director Mark Weber.  In April the Community Foundation’s Give Gathering resulted in raising $25,000 for Onward EP.
• The Hopkins Jaycees organized a spaghetti dinner and silent auction fundraiser in May.
• The City of Eden Prairie provided a $50,000 CBDG grant for rehab projects at the house including the installation of a fire suppression system, a new garage door system, plumbing repairs, hot water heater, driveway replacement and many other small updates.
• CertraPro Painters (owned by Immanuel members Kelly and Sara Morlock) provided supplies and labor to prep the entire interior of the house for painting. A paint-a-thon brought together members of the Morning and Noon Rotary Clubs of Eden Prairie and some Immanuel members.
• The Prop Shop has provided furnishings to fill the house.
• Restwell Mattress Company has provided 4 new beds for the tenants.
• Suburban Waste Management is providing garbage and recycling service free of charge.
• Several groups including the Eden Prairie Lioness, SPARK, and others have provided food, linens and other needs for the house and its future tenants.

What began as a God-inspired idea at Immanuel has grown into a community wide collaboration of people who want to serve a population who need our help. As the Board President of Onward EP which is not a faith-based organization, I don’t often get to share my gratitude to God for planting this vision at Immanuel and for walking alongside the planning every step of the way.  This project is a “God Thing.” I know that The Holy Spirit has been working in peoples’ lives at Immanuel, opening hearts and eyes along the way, so that the vision of supportive housing for young people in our community is soon to become a reality. Thanks be to God!

For more information about Onward Eden Prairie visit the website at www.onwardep.org or like the Onward Eden Prairie facebook page

Watch this April 2018 video to learn more.

Eden Prairie Community Foundation Supports Onward EP

Saturday, April 28

The 2018 “EP Gives” was held on April 28, at Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center in Chaska.  At the EP Gives Gala a special Fund the Need appeal raised $25,000 for Onward Eden Prairie, a new program to help local young people who are precariously housed.

More information: 2018 EP Gives

JCI Hopkins Fundraiser for Onward Eden Prairie

Friday, May 11, 6 - 8 p.m.
Onward Eden Prairie has partnered with JCI Hopkins and will be holding a Spaghetti Dinner/Silent Auction on May 11, from 6-9 p.m. at Immanuel. All proceeds will go towards the operating costs needed to run this new project. Cost is $10 per adult, $7 per child or $35 per family. If you would like to donate items for the silent auction, please contact Jessica Davis at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Onward Eden Prairie is the New Name!

February 2018 Update

The non-profit Immanuel is collaborating with on the youth housing project has chosen a new name.  Previously known as Haven House, the non-profit’s Board of Directors decided to change the name to better reflect their mission and the community which will be served.  Onward Eden Prairie (or Onward EP) is preparing to open for occupancy on June 1, 2018.

Onward EP will rent the Immanuel owned house from the church for a minimal fee.  The non-profit will manage all of the operations of the house including fundraising and contracts with Oasis for Youth to provide a full time Case Manager for the four tenants, who will range in age from 18-24 years old. Did you know that 18 and 19 year olds are the most vulnerable age group of the population of people having difficulty finding stable housing?  Onward EP’s mission is to provide stable housing and support to these most vulnerable young adults in our community so that they can prepare themselves for a brighter future.

Onward EP has recently been chosen as the recipient of the Eden Prairie Community Foundations Fund the Need appeal at their Gala on April 28. We are grateful for the support of the Immanuel congregation and the community at large as we work towards alleviating a hidden need in Eden Prairie.

Kim Rathjen

Update - December 2017

The Haven House project in Eden Prairie is moving forward!  The vision of the newly formed non-profit is to provide affordable housing for four young adults ages 18-24 who do not have the support of their family of origin.  Although no longer minors, young adults in this age range are still quite vulnerable when they do not have a place to call home.  We have over 40 young adults in our local community who have sought help from PROP for housing and other services in the last year.  Haven House believes that all young people deserve a safe place to sleep and dream!

Haven House is now an independent non-profit and will manage all operations of the house, including the relationship with Oasis for Youth who is providing Case Management services.  While many members of Immanuel are passionate about this Eden Prairie collaboration and are involved in the work, Haven House is not a ministry that is tied financially to Immanuel.

The generosity and passion of an Immanuel member who gave money for the purpose of purchasing a house has allowed Haven House to start with no debt. The Immanuel owned house will be made available to Haven House for a small yearly fee and the Haven house non-profit will cover all operational expenses.

$50,000 of updates will begin shortly on the house through CBDG funds from the City of Eden Prairie. The updates include adding a fire suppression system inside the house, updating some plumbing and electrical systems, adding insulation, replacing the driveway, and more.  All of these updates are important as Haven House desires to be a good neighbor in the community.

Fundraising has begun with the goal of raising $300,000 before the projected opening date of June 1, 2018.  This will cover operating expenses for three years.  Currently, the fiscal agent for Haven House in the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. Financial donations can be made at http://www.epcommunityfoundation.org  and designated for Haven House.

Further questions about Haven House can be directed to Immanuel members who serve on the Haven House Board of Directors: Kim Rathjen (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)), John Urbanski (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or Andy Vergeront (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).

Update - August, 2017

We Have a House!

This past month Immanuel purchased a house with the intention of making it available for transitional Youth Housing in Eden Prairie.  The house is located at 11140 Lanewood Circle – it is within walking distance of the Eden Prairie Mall (important for employment opportunities), is on a bus line, has 5 bedrooms (one will be used as a case manager’s office), and great community space.  Tom Herzog, John Urbanski and Kim Rathjen were involved in the final decision about the house, with input from Oasis for Youth staff who have experience and passion for housing young people safely. The purchase of the house was made possible by a generous gift from an anonymous donor and funds from the Opening Doors Capital Campaign.

Immanuel continues to work with the newly forming non-profit Haven House with the goal of opening transitional housing for young adults aged 18-24 within the next year.  The Haven House Board continues to make steps towards making this dream become a reality.

The purchase of the house puts into motion some new projects needing specific gifts and skills. If you or someone you know would have time and the skills we need for the following projects, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

1) Communications, Fundraising and Marketing – We will need to start communication with the wider community, develop a plan for fundraising (perhaps a kick-off event planner?), and develop some ongoing means for communicating with stake holders. 

2) House Preparation #1 – at the urging of city employees in the housing department we have applied for a CBDG (Community Based Development Grant) grant from the City of Eden Prairie for the major rehab projects.  We will spend every penny we can that the city gives us, but there will be small projects that will come up as we prepare to make the house ready for tenants. Since the house will be owned by Immanuel it would make sense that Immanuel folks would take in interest in the ongoing maintenance of the house. 

3) House Preparation #2 – we have a whole house to stock!  The Prop Shop has agreed to provide furniture and anything else they can and have already asked for a list of needed items. We would like to involve a couple of people in figuring out what types of furniture will work for the spaces and to help develop a needs list.

It was less than two year ago that this God inspired vision started forming to serve young adults in our community. While it may seem like the process is taking a long time, others in the field tell us that we are moving along quite quickly.  We strongly believe that God is leading the way and that this leap of faith will result in many blessings for years to come!

Update - June 15, 2017

Background: Immanuel’s Pledge to the Youth Housing Project

You might recall that Immanuel included a pledge of $200,000 to a youth housing project as part of our Opening Doors Capital Campaign. We are pleased to share with you that we have now accumulated sufficient funds to make the first $100,000 cash donation to the Haven House project. As promised, this portion of the campaign is to be paid only as funds have accumulated, and is not associated with the loan necessary to finance our building projects. The Church Executive Committee is working with the Haven House Board of Directors (HHB) as to the best timing for this contribution

New Developments

• We are ready to purchase a house!  As you will recall, Immanuel was gifted money ($217,000) for the purchase of a house specifically for youth housing.  Immanuel will own the house and will lease it to Haven House.  We are looking for a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in Eden Prairie.
• The projected operating budget for the chosen housing model is much less than what was originally projected, and is now expected to be less than $100,000 per year.
• We have now accumulated sufficient funds to make the first $100,000 cash donation to the Haven House project.  This is half of the pledged $200,000 promised as part of Immanuel’s Opening Doors Capital Campaign, intended as seed money for the project. 
• The Haven House Board may use some of Immanuel’s pledged Opening Doors contribution toward the purchase price of the home. Immanuel’s Executive Council recently met with members of the Haven House Board to stay informed of their progress and to discuss the best use of the Opening Doors donation. Kim Rathjen, John Urbanski, and Andy Vergeront, Immanuel members serving on the Haven House Board (HHB), requested utilizing some of Immanuel’s pledged Opening Doors money toward the purchase price of the home. Immanuel’s Council discussed this at length and confirmed that this is particularly important for the success of this project given the needed attributes of the house and the tight housing market. The reduction in anticipated annual operating costs contributed to the decision that a direct capital contribution towards purchasing a house would be the most effective use of Immanuel’s pledge. The manner in which the funds are used will not impact the pledged amount totaling $200,000.
• There is a strong possibility that the church may be able to receive CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds towards the acquisition of the house.  The City contacted Immanuel with this offer.  If this grant goes through Immanuel could redirect these funds for Haven House operating expenses.  In addition, there are up to $50,000 in grant funds available from the City for rehab of the purchased home.  This is a good partnership!

We hope that this update provides clarity regarding the housing project’s status. We are grateful for the accomplishments that Kim and the HHB members have made to date, and look forward to the positive impact of this project for our community.

Pastor Paul Nelson
Beth Hansen, Congregation President

Update – June 1, 2017

We are excited to share some more progress on the Eden Prairie Youth Housing Project which Immanuel has supported since its beginning in October 2016. Many significant pieces of the planning process have been finished since the beginning of this calendar year and we are moving ahead! 

The Housing Model that will be used, which was shared earlier this year, is referred to as Transitional Housing. We will provide four units of affordable rental housing for 18 - 24 year olds who attend school or work in our community. The young people will be required to set goals, work towards them, and learn skills which will ensure that they can move into a more traditional type of rental. 

Key Developments:

• The Youth Housing Advisory Board has adopted bylaws and is now known as the Haven House Board of Directors.  Board members are: Kim Rathjen – President, Carol Bomben – Vice President, Andy Vergeront – Treasurer, Elaine Larabee, Jay Simpson, and John Urbanski.  We have two open spots on the Board including the Secretary position. Please contact a board member if you are interested in serving in this capacity.
• MOU documents outlining how the community partners will work together have been drafted and accepted by all partners including The Haven House Board, Oasis for Youth and Immanuel Lutheran Church. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) describes an agreement between two or more parties.  It is not legally binding but forms the framework for a future legal document.
• The Haven House Board is in the process of applying for non-profit status as an organization and has hired a lawyer to help with the details.
• A preliminary operating budget for the project has been detailed.  The yearly operating budget should be less than $100,000 per year. These funds will be solicited from individuals, businesses, churches, service organizations and foundations in the wider community.
• $25,000 has already been donated to the Community Foundation Fund by Eden Prairie community members for the project without a public appeal or launch. We think this is a good indication that there will be much community financial support.

Next Steps
We are ready to purchase a house! We are looking for a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in Eden Prairie.  The home would need to be close to a bus line and within walking distance of employment opportunities. We are hopeful that the home purchase will occur this summer and that any needed work on the home would begin shortly after closing. Immanuel will own this home, and lease it to Haven House.  Although the church will not be responsible for upkeep of the home, it is hoped that Immanuel members with gifts and skills of home repair and maintenance might volunteer their time for these projects. If you have a house in your neighborhood for sale, or soon to be on sale, that fits our criteria, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Youth Housing Project Gains Momentum

January 2017

As we begin the new year, I am excited to provide you with an update on the progress of the Eden Prairie Housing for Youth Steering Committee. Over the past several months we have gained a great deal of clarity around our work. Thank you for your continuing prayers and support as we work collaboratively with our community leaders to respond to the needs of our young people.

Key Developments

• The Eden Prairie Housing for Youth Steering Committee has defined the housing model to be pursued and established an action plan for moving forward.
• Patricia Fenrick, will be the project manager. Patricia is the City of Eden Prairie’s Community Services Coordinator and development of this project will become part of her current job responsibilities.
• The Eden Prairie Community Foundation has established a fund that will be dedicated to the annual operating expenses for the house.
• Immanuel members John Urbanski and Andy Vergeront are now serving on the Advisory Board, and are happy to answer questions related to this project.

The Selected Housing Model

• The committee has determined that the best way to serve young people in our community who are homeless or precariously housed is by providing four units of affordable rental housing for 18 - 24 year olds who attend school or work in our community.
• This decision was made after a year of collaborative research and conversation with City of Eden Prairie officials, PROP leaders, Oasis for Youth, and a variety of youth service providers who deliver social services to youth in our community.
• A telling statistic is that during 2016, 48 18 - 24 year olds from Eden Prairie and Chanhassen reached out to PROP for services. All were identified as homeless or precariously housed.
• The plan is to offer four rooms for rent in a single-family home. Young people who rent the rooms would also have access to common space for cooking, laundry and socializing. The young people will be required to set goals, work towards them, and learn skills which will ensure that they can move into a more traditional type of rental. 
• Oasis for Youth, a qualified social service agency, is very interested in providing case management for the youth.

Next Steps
As we begin the new year representatives of the committee will begin searching for a single-family home in Eden Prairie that will meet our criteria. We will let you know when a purchase is made! We will also be working to select and establish a contract with a social service partner. And the Advisory Board will begin fundraising in earnest.

About the Eden Prairie Housing for Youth Steering Committee
The Eden Prairie Housing for Youth Steering Committee was formed in the winter of 2016 to carry out the God-inspired vision of Immanuel Lutheran Church and the broader Eden Prairie community to respond to the growing population of homeless or precariously housed youth living in our midst. Thanks to a generous financial contribution from an anonymous Immanuel member and enthusiastic support of the congregation, Immanuel is able to fund the purchase of a home that will offer the physical framework needed to begin responding to this need. The City of Eden Prairie will initially provide a project manager for the youth housing program and the Eden Prairie Community Foundation will help sustain it through ongoing fundraising.

Kim Rathjen, Coordinator of Outreach

November 2016 - Update

EP Youth Housing Project – One Year In
Kim Rathjen, Coordinator of Inreach and Outreach

About a year ago Immanuel was presented with the opportunity to be part of a project in the wider community involving housing for homeless or at-risk youth in the SW metro. The Immanuel congregation voted to accept funds from a generous donor which would allow us to purchase a house when the time is right and meetings with interested people from the community began.

During the first year of planning a group of EP Community Leaders, including me, met together multiple times.  We gathered data on current resources for precariously housed youth, compiled information about the need for services, and met with the Executive Directors of the major organizations that are currently serving youth in our community.  A mission, vision and values statements were also written.  In all of our research and conversations it was confirmed that there are kids at risk in our community, and supportive housing and services are needed to help these young people achieve their full potential.

As we enter the second year of preparing and planning for the possibility of youth housing in our community, an Advisory Board was gathered to help the group move from the discovery and ideas phase into the execution phase of planning. People from the community with specific skill sets were invited to help us develop structure and formality for the vision.  The Advisory Board will meet once a month for the coming school year.  Community members include: Carol Bomben, Jan Eian, Joe Epping, Gena Gerard, Elaine Larabee, Police Sgt Eric LeBlanc, Kathy Palmer, Kim Rathjen, Kyle Rose, Gwen Schultz, Jay Simpson, John Urbanski, Andy Vergeront, Mark Weber.  The Advisory Board is not meant to be an exclusive group, and community members who have gifts, skills and time to move the project forward are welcomed.

It is an honor to represent the Immanuel congregation in this collaborative effort.  Your prayers for the forward movement of the project are coveted as we move into this next phase!

Summary of the Youth Housing Project

Spring 2016

• It is agreed that this will be a community project. Immanuel will assume no long-term fiscal or administrative responsibility.
• Immanuel pledges $300,000 in seed money over three years, plus the money donated to us for this work by an anonymous member.

Winter 2016

• Immanuel leadership begins to plan its next capital fund appeal.
• Immanuel Outreach Coordinator Kim Rathjen begins conversations with a broad coalition of Eden Prairie community leaders who form the Eden Prairie Housing for Youth steering committee to address the need for youth housing.
• The house on Luther Way that we thought might become youth housing has sold, but the church is not the buyer.  Since that house in no longer available we have decided to wait until we have cash in hand before seeking out another property to be used for youth housing.

Fall 2015

• Immanuel begins conversations about investing in property for youth housing.
• A member donates a gift to make that possible.                 
• Congregation votes to accept the gift.
• Community-wide Steering Committee is developed:
  Committee Members
  Carol Bomben - General Manager of the Preserve; Eden Prairie Morning Rotary
  Tony Compton - Director Marketing & Communications of 360 Communities; Eden Prairie Morning Rotary
  Laura Dockery - Teens Alone Board Member
  Jan Eian - Eden Prairie Business Owner; Eden Prairie Morning Rotary
  Gena Gerard - Eden Prairie Resident; Immanuel Member
  Christine Hart - Community Developer, CAPSH (Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin)
  Andrea Knoll - Founder and Oasis Board Member
  Nicole Mills - Executive Director Oasis for Youth
  Kim Rathjen - Coordinator of Outreach, Immanuel
  Mark Weber - Executive Director Eden Prairie Community Foundation
  
  Committee supporters - willing to provide assistance as needed
  Jenny Buckland - PROP Program Director
  Patricia Fenrick - Community Service Coordinator City of Eden Prairie
  Molly Koivumaki - Housing Manager City of Eden Prairie
  Janet Palmer - PROP Executive Director

Summer 2015  

• A congregation-wide survey identifies ministry priorities, including:
  • Develop ministries that work toward healing those broken by life’s circumstances.
  • Expand outreach ministries that provide direct service to those living on the margins of society.
• Members and staff continue to learn about homelessness in Eden Prairie and the hidden issue of youth experiencing homelessness in our community.

Summer 2014  

• Immanuel begins hosting Families Moving Forward
• Immanuel members ask, “What else is God calling us to do?”
• Immanuel members and staff begin to research homelessness in our community.

Frequently asked questions

• Do we need youth housing in Eden Prairie?
• What are the needs?
• What’s the state’s definition of youth homelessness?
• What services do these youth need?
• Isn’t youth homelessness more of an inner-city problem?
• Aren’t there other youth housing projects in the SW metro?