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Introducing: "Dignity on the Road!"
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Despite COVID-19, The Dignity Center has stayed open. We stayed open even when COVID-19 restrictions closed all the public libraries and gathering spaces that people experiencing homelessness use to access wifi, computers, and other information. We also stayed open even when meal programs shut down, which limited access to nourishing meals. Throughout the pandemic, The Dignity Center has been a place where our participants can access their email, file taxes, and search for jobs. We have provided smartphones to our participants so that they may take advantage of online opportunities such as telehealth appointments. We made our wifi and space available to facilitate online meetings. We also partnered with food programs to increase our hot meal supply and to make "to-go" meals available. In addition, we used our creativity to allow our advocacy and case management services virtual, utilizing texting and online formats so that we could continue working with participants on their goals even when our Advocates could not meet in-person.
Throughout the past few months of the pandemic, The Dignity Center has seen a reduction in participant numbers due to the virus. With our participants staying in their communities to limit the spread, we are looking for ways that we can reach more people in need. We have a goal to create a new program, called "Dignity on the Road." Through Dignity on the Road, our staff and volunteers will use a vehicle to bring a hot meal and the resources of The Dignity Center to communities in need. "Dignity on the Road" will also give individuals an opportunity to work with our Advocates, who can help participants overcome barriers to stability including unemployment, legal complications, and lack of access to housing. Through "Dignity on the Road," we can support participants by assisting with rent or damage deposits, acquiring furniture, accessing smart phones, paying for monthly phone service, or navigating educational necessities such as computers, tuition, fees, and so on. Through "Dignity on the Road," The Dignity Center could empower individuals in at-risk communities as they continue on their path to stability.
We are excited about our plan for "Dignity on the Road!" We hope to partner with a church or community organization so that we can work together to learn how best to support community members on their journey to become free from crisis and achieve a stability that is sustainable.
Thank you to each of you, our dear friends, neighbors, and community members! We are in this journey together!
--Mary Martin, Director of The Dignity Center
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"It's Coming, It's Here, I Just Have to Make it Work:" Winter at The Dignity Center
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We recently sat down with our participants at The Dignity Center and asked, "What does winter mean to you?"
Our participants told us that preparing for winter generally starts in the fall, but can begin as early as late summer. Winter preparation includes gathering warm clothing and finding warm places to gather. Many participants expressed how difficult and challenging it can be to access transportation during the winter. Traveling to and from jobs is more difficult during cold weather: many of our participants rely heavily on buses, and oftentimes buses are delayed due to poor road conditions, which makes our participants late to their destinations. Similarly, traveling to and from shopping and stores is also worse in the winter, as the snow and cold complicate travel options.
Winter also has a dramatic effect on our participants' health. One individual expressed concerns about his physical health in the winter, telling us that with the cold weather his blood pressure rises and he has to get his medications changed. Another mentioned that walking in the cold is a challenge, due to a weather-related health condition affecting his legs. Other participants are worried about their physical health during the pandemic in particular: for those who utilize shelters, many are concerned about staying healthy and safe from COVID-19 throughout the winter. Some of our participants spoke about their mental health, emphasizing the importance of mentally preparing in advance as seasonal depression can become worse in the wintertime. A few of our participants even said that the word "winter" makes them feel angry, as winter often means fewer gathering places, less sunlight, and more time indoors. As our participant Kevin (pictured above) said when we asked him about the winter, "It's coming, it's here, I just have to make it work."
But it's not all bad: one participant explained that this year, winter is exciting. They said that they genuinely feel grateful, because this winter they have a roof over their head and reliable transportation, which makes getting around in the winter a lot easier than in the past.
This winter we are working hard to care for all of our participants, and to support them as they navigate the unique challenges that cold weather brings. Even in a pandemic, we will offer a warm space, a friendly face, and resources to help get through the winter. We know we can count on you to keep supporting us as we support our participants -- we can't do it without you!
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"The Dignity Center Has Done a Lot for Me!"
Rita Lyell Reflects on Her Experience
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Meet our volunteer Rita Lyell! Rita has been a volunteer at The Dignity Center since her retirement in 2007. When she first started volunteering she worked with participant files -- way before we had computers and an online database! At that time, all of our appointments were walk-ins, so Rita would pull each participant's file folder out of the filing cabinet when they arrived for an appointment. Rita was so happy when we got a database!
In the past few years, Rita has moved into the role of our Friday receptionist, answering phones, scheduling appointments and distributing resources. We are so grateful that Rita has continued to volunteer through the pandemic. She is currently our only receptionist! She now schedules video calls via Zoom and handles text communication with our participants and volunteers. Rita says that even though we have fewer people scheduling appointments compared to the months before COVID-19, our participants continue to come in to speak with an advocate to work on their goals. We asked Rita about her experience with The Dignity Center and she said, "The Dignity Center has done a lot for me; it gives me something to look forward to."
You have done a lot for us too, Rita! We are so grateful for you and to all of our volunteers who are keeping us going throughout the pandemic. Thank you, Rita!
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COVID-19 Testing at The Dignity Center:
Thanks to our Community Partners!
On Saturday, October 26th, between 12pm and 3pm, Hennepin Avenue UMC and The Dignity Center hosted a COVID-19 testing event! The event prioritized outreach and testing for people who had been incarcerated and were now entering the community, sometimes known as the "re-entry population."
Hennepin Avenue UMC and The Dignity Center could not have hosted this event alone: several of The Dignity Center's community partners, including 180 Degrees, INC and Power of the People, joined forces with the Native American Community Clinic and the Minneapolis Department of Health to make the COVID-19 testing event a success. In total, approximately 100 individuals were tested that Saturday, including The Dignity Center's Executive Director Mary Martin, pictured above!
One of the main coordinators of the event was Evalyn Carbrey, MS, RD, the Health Living Liasion for the Minneapolis Healthy Living Initiative with the Minneapolis Department of Health. After the event, she thanked us for a successful event and told us that we reached our target "re-entry" population. She said that she really appreciated everyone "pulling together" to make the day run smoothly.
The day went so well that we are planning another COVID-19 testing and flu shot event THIS SATURDAY, November 7, from 12pm - 3pm in the parking lot of Hennepin Avenue UMC! Once again, we join with our community partners: Hennepin Healthcare and the Minneapolis Department of Health. This testing event is open to all, with both drive-up and walk-up testing options available. Stop by and see us if you need a COVID-19 test or a flu shot!
We are so grateful to all of our community partners who made the first event a success, and who are making this upcoming event possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you for partnering with us as we support our participants on their path to stability! We couldn't do it without you.
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Fall Fundraiser Update: $49,000 and Counting!
Click here to donate: help us get to $50,000!
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| | Click the video above to watch The Dignity Center's Fall Fundraiser, "Sharing the Journey: We're In This Together, from October 6, 2020. |
A heartfelt THANK YOU to you, our dear Dignity Center friend! We have wrapped up our 2020 Fall Fundraiser Event and once again, we have been so blessed by the participation of all of our supporters! We weren't sure how the online event would go, given all the current circumstances, but your response has been overwhelming. With you and our matching sponsors, we raised $49,000! Can you help us get to $50,000? Click here to donate and support us in reaching our goal! The funds we raised from our Fall Fundraiser will go towards strengthening our program and serving our hurting community. You are actively serving your neighbor and mine, and truly, we couldn't do it without you!
Thank you again for your extravagant generosity! In peace and love, Sarah Doebler
Director of Development for The Dignity Center
P.S. Did you miss our virtual event? Watch it here for informative updates on The Dignity Center! And, please consider making a gift online at www.thedignitycenter.org, or by mail to The Dignity Center, 511 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis MN 55403. We love sharing this journey with you! |
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The Dignity Center is a Ministry of
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
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HOURS & LOCATION
The Dignity Center is located at 425 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | 612-435-1315
Visit us Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 9am to noon
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