The Onward Eden Prairie Story

Onward Eden Prairie became a 501(c)3 non-profit in August, 2018. Since October 2018 4 precariously housed young adults have lived in the house receiving the support of a social worker. Immanuel’s Kim Rathjen, Coordinator of Inreach & Outreach, works with a community-wide board, Onward Eden Prairie, which rents an Immanuel owned house. Immanuel’s vision to help provide safe places for youth experiencing homelessness in the south-west metro became financially possible through:

an Immanuel member’s donated funds ($214,000) to help purchase a house for this project, and
Immanuel’s Opening Doors campaign providing $200,000 ($86K was used to supplement the purchase of a house and $114K was used as one-time seed money).

August 2018 Onward Eden Prairie Ribbon Cutting

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 www.onwardep.org or on our Facebook page.

Watch this April 2018 video to learn more.

Community Organizations Raise Funds for Onward EP

The Eden Prairie Community Foundation supported Onward EP at their April 28 “EP Gives” event at Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center in Chaska. A special Fund the Need appeal raised $25,000 for Onward Eden Prairie. More information: 2018 EP Gives
JCI Hopkins supported Onward Eden Prairie, Friday, May 11, with a spaghetti dinner and silent auction. All proceeds went towards the operating costs needed to run this new project. Thanks to Immanuel's Jessica Davis for working on this fundraiser.

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.

Update - December 2017

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 [url=http://www.epcommunityfoundation.org]http://www.epcommunityfoundation.org[/url] and designated for Haven House.

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 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.

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

Summary of the Youth Housing Project

June 2017

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.
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.

January 2017

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 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.

November 2016 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. 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.

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