Last week, Crystal and I visited Peace House near downtown Minneapolis to participate in a conversation circle with a mix of volunteers, formerly unhoused individuals, and unhoused people. The current space in a residential neighborhood was custom-built to their needs for a large gathering room and kitchen with library, space for art projects, and pictures of community members — including those who have passed.
It is a respite and resource center, where more than 16,000 meals are served each year. It was started in 1985 by Sister Rose Tillemans with a mission to provide a welcoming space for those who would never be invited over for dinner, to meet with friends and escape the chaos of everyday life — "a ministry of listening to the stories of those who had no one to listen to them. ... what people need after they have been fed and clothed."
According to director Marti Maltby, since the pandemic there has been an increased number of people using the space, open to all for five hours a day. Since then, however, the number of volunteers have dropped by half and many are retiring from active engagement.
Massage therapists, haircut practitioners, and even a criminal defense attorney who does bike repair, are among the volunteers who spend time with the daytime visitors. Hygiene kits and occasional Twins tickets are made available.
One of the women who shared her story while we were there — in a group conversation about the balance between the positives and negatives in daily life — was a powerful voice of hope, loss, generosity, and love. She is no longer unhoused, but visits regularly because she feels connected to the community there.
