Coming Soon: Our Renovated Shelter

Renovations are well underway at our Emergency Shelter at 2219 Chicago Avenue. In December, our shelter moved to a temporary site at 2545 Portland Avenue, and construction at our shelter began in early January. 

The renovation and construction of the emergency shelter is funded by a one-time capital grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and will expand our capacity by adding a second story to our shelter, along with improving safety and accessibility.   

While our temporary site has been a good fit for our staff, guests, and volunteers over the past few months, we’re excited to share more details about what will be different at our shelter when we return this summer.   

What’s Changing  

The most significant feature of our renovation from the outside is our new second floor. The second floor will have 17 new bedrooms, which will allow us to welcome more guests while maintaining individual rooms for every guest. The new floor will also include a new communal gathering space for guests and additional offices for staff. We are also expanding our dining area, allowing more space for guests to eat and volunteers to serve meals.  

From the beginning, one of our goals for this renovation project was to make our shelter more accessible for those with limited mobility. Walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, and canes are common sights at our shelter. Some changes underway in support of this goal include replacing our aging elevator and widening hallways so they’re more easily navigable.   

This project will also increase the number of restrooms that include a toilet, sink, and roll-in shower. These all-in-one bathrooms are not only more physically accessible but provide better privacy for guests, helping foster a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all genders.   

Transitioning to Our New Space   

We anticipate moving back into our shelter from our temporary location in mid-July, and we will begin increasing our capacity from 21 guests to 38 guests as funding for the shelter allows. Our goal is to be operating 38 beds by the end of 2025 with support from government funders, private foundations, and individual donors. Learn more below about ways you can support the shelter this spring and summer with this transition.    

3 Ways You Can Support Our Return to 2219 Chicago

• Volunteer in June or July to help us pack and clean out the temporary space, and set up the renovated space
• Provide a meal at our shelter in July by dropping off a prepared meal or sponsoring the cost of a catered meal
• Host a donation drive for items needed for the larger space, including fitted Twin XL sheets or pillowcases

For more information on these opportunities and our most up-to-date needs, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@oscs-mn.org or 612-386-6626