Big News from Jonathan House

These are Real People

A Palestinian man living in a car in St. Paul. A pregnant mom from Ethiopia, currently homeless. Two parents, a baby and a preschooler from Honduras, staying with relatives who can no longer support them. These are some of the 46 people who have inquired about housing at Jonathan House since the beginning of the year. All of them are in Minnesota on a journey to save their lives, seeking permanent safety from persecution through the U.S. asylum system.

With your support, we’ve been able to house and support 31 asylum-seeking neighbors over the last six and a half years, but we typically turn away 19 people for each one we’re able to welcome. God has an open door for each of these beloved ones, but our capacity is limited. Each “no” is a fresh heartbreak. 

My own son, Sammy, is also 4 years old, just like that kid from Honduras. Recently he saw a person holding a sign at an intersection, asking for help, and wondered out loud whether we could let him come live at Jonathan House. I explained that we don’t have room, but Sammy wasn’t satisfied. He feels deeply that no person should be without a home. 

I told Sammy what I’m about to tell you: “We’ve been working hard on a plan to make Jonathan House bigger so we can help more people.” Sammy responded: “That would be a lot of work, Mommy. You can’t do that on your own.” 

Then he hatched a plan: “You should tell your friends about Jonathan House, then they can tell their friends and they can tell their friends and EVERYONE can come help build the big house!” 

He’s a smart kid. 

Widening the Doors of Welcome

So here’s the big news: we are building a big house, and we need you to come help build it – and to bring your friends, too. 

I am thrilled to share Growing Hope, our new 3-year strategic plan. You’ll see that this year we’re building our capacity with staff, funding and programs so that by the end of 3 years we can move into a new facility with doubled capacity. 

I invite you to share in this adventure. Jonathan House is more than a shelter; we are a community of shelter, hope and healing where asylum seekers and Americans can thrive together. When you join us with a recurring donation, you are widening the doors of welcome. You can have a direct impact on neighbors fleeing persecution and help them to rebuild their lives in our community. 

When you join the Keychain Collective with a recurring gift before April 15, you’ll not only have the satisfaction of unlocking the door to welcome, you’ll also receive a special travel mug thank you gift and an invitation to an intimate dinner party for Jonathan House insiders only. 

Join us on the front lines of hope.