2026
An Update on Our Medical Respite Program
For the past four years, Our Saviour’s Community Services and Fairview have partnered to provide medical respite services for Fairview patients experi…
Read more →To help everyone understand our project, needs, and timeline better, we are compiling frequently asked questions about our shelter expansion and temporary relocation in one place. We will continue to update this post with new questions and updates as new information or questions emerge. Thanks for reading!
When is construction starting?
Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in late 2024 or early 2025.
Will you be closing the shelter during construction?
We will continue providing services by relocating our shelter operations to a temporary location for about 8 months. We will continue serving up to 21 guests from the temporary location.
Where are you going during the construction?
We will be operating our shelter at 2545 Portland Avenue during construction. This site, 0.6 miles from our permanent location, will be a great fit for guests, volunteers, and staff!
When will you be returning to your shelter location?
Our latest timeline allows for guests, volunteers, and staff to return to our main shelter location in the summer of 2025.
How many people will you be serving in the new space?
The expanded space has about 38 sleeping rooms. The speed at which we can ramp up capacity from 21 to 38 guests upon return will depend largely on the speed at which we can fundraise to cover the costs of operating a larger, higher-capacity space.
Are you looking for volunteers to help?
- Help us pack up the shelter and unpack on the other side! If you love organizing, playing Tetris with boxes, and carrying moderately heavy things, be a Packing Partner! Packing is underway now, running through mid-December.
- Support guests at the temporary location by serving as a Welcome Host. This new role will greet arriving guests, host activities, support meal service, and spend time interacting with guests. This role involves a little bit of everything and will be an essential part of our guests’ experience this winter.
- Provide or sponsor a meal this winter. Our guests love your homecooked and “faith community cooked” meals more than anything. Please consider signing up to provide and serve a meal at the temporary site or sponsoring the costs of a meal!
Expanding volunteer coverage will be essential to operating out of the temporary site, and upon return to the permanent site. If you are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, please contact Wateen Osman, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@oscs-mn.org.
Are you looking for in-kind donations?
Absolutely! We’ll continue to update this space as needs are fulfilled or evolve.
Find much of what we’re looking for on the Our Saviour’s Housing Amazon Wishlist, or please contact Wateen at volunteer@oscs-mn.org for more information.
Current needs include:
- 25 Lysol sprays
- NEW or gently used and clean pillowcases
- Medium-sized cardboard boxes
- Mini desk fans (25)
- Brooms with dustpans
- Mops
- Swiffers with wet/dry pads
27-inch window coverings (26)(needs have been met – thank you!)64-inch double window coverings (11)(needs have been met – thank you!)1 toilet bowl cleaner, 1 toilet bowl scrubber with stand, 2 cleaning towels(needs have been met – thank you!)
How is this being funded?
The renovation and construction of the emergency shelter is funded by a one-time capital grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Additional community support from individual donors, private foundations, and public funders will be essential to launch and sustain the costs of expanded operations.
How can we receive updates on this project?
Subscribing to the OSCS email newsletter and following the Our Saviour’s Housing Facebook page and OSCS LinkedIn page will be the best way to stay involved. If you have specific questions, please contact Robin Stramp, Development and Communications Manager, at robin@oscs-mn.org.
Previous blog posts about the project are listed below:
November 2024 – https://oscs-mn.org/nov24-construction-update/
