“John” had pulled himself out of homelessness and obtained steady employment and an apartment. Things were going well for him until his car broke down unexpectedly. His job required him to have a reliable car and he could not afford to replace it. Then an ongoing health issue resurfaced that required surgery. It became difficult to keep up with rent. Financial help from a couple of agencies helped him get through his recovery and Threshold to New Life helped him with rent so he is able to recover in his home.
Author: Richard Bahr
A Client Thank You
A note from a kind and gracious client. Most of our work consists of providing a no strings attached grant to a client for a portion of his/her rent. We’re grateful for the means to be able to help.
Thank you. 10 Years of Serving our Neighbors in Jesus’ name.
Deaths Nearly Become Double the Tragedy
Sometimes our clients run into a string of unforeseen hardships all at once. Over the past year, “Marcus” had to deal with the death of his newborn baby and his sister. These tragedies involved funeral expenses and travel costs above his typical expenses. These events also led to severe depression and left Marcus struggling to make his payments. A grant from Threshold to New Life and other agencies assisted him in getting his outstanding rent balance paid off and he is now in a much better situation and has been able to remain in his home.
There are Many Reasons for Financial Gaps
“Karen’s” two-year-old daughter had been extremely sick for the past year and needed surgery. She was not able to go to daycare due to an immune-compromised system
Karen had to quit her job to take care of her. This caused her to miss one month’s rent payment.
Karen was able to contribute a portion of the shortfall from her personal money. Threshold to New Life contributed the remaining portion. Karen has since found a new job and has been able to stay in her home.
Box City Event
Blaine High School has hosted a one night homeless “simulation” with dozens of students every year. They raise money for Hope4Youth while having a life altering and bonding experience with fellow students.
Our Co-Founder, Richard Bahr, presented during the evening, along with a representative from Hope4Youth.
This was held on Thursday, October 13th, and if you remember last week, it was our first measurable snow that evening. A real chilling event for the students.
We are grateful for the leadership at Blaine High School and those working in a leading Hope4Youth, who are working to “Provide pathways to end youth homelessness” in Anoka county.
2022 Friend and Fund Raiser a Success!
We are grateful for an amazing Friend and Fundraising Breakfast, hosted at Rush Creek Golf Club, on Friday, October 7, 2022.
The total number of people planned and the target for our fundraising we both exceeded. We praise God for the generous people connected to our work.
With these funds, we intend to continue our pace to help 500 families again in 2023.
Jake Breaks the Cycle of Homelessness for his Daughter
Jake was not new to being homeless, which started as a child. His life as a young adult was hard, living on the streets, loneliness and addiction. He knew there had to be a better life and started the recovery process. After getting treatment, Jake had additional responsibilities, which included being a single dad to a newborn. He needed a place to stay and had no network around the Twin Cities.
Through his church, he connected with Threshold to New Life. They were able to help with rent for transitional housing while Jake worked on a long-term solution for himself and his baby.
Threshold was able to remove the immediate stress so he could focus on their eventual home. They provided an opportunity to get him back on his feet. Jake thanks God for laying the groundwork to get him connected to Threshold to New Life.
Jake’s future for himself and his daughter looks bright!
Family Death Creates Setback
“Sue” was consistently making her rent payments until a death in the family occurred. She fell short one month when she had to help with a family member’s funeral expenses.
Threshold to New Life partnered with her and her landlord to cover the rent shortage and Sue had one less thing to worry about during the difficult time of losing a loved one.
Personal Care Kits from Imagine Church
Imagine Church (https://imaginechurchmn.com/) serving the St. Michael, Albertville and Otsego areas has a heart for outreach. It is likely borne out of the love for community and those in need from its Lead Pastor, Josh Christenson. Josh serve in a homeless ministry with a previous church prior to starting Imagine Church. The experience has changed him.
His team organized and assembled about 100 personal care kits for distribution among those in need, primarily folks in the Twin City homeless community. We began distribution this morning to several folks with smiling faces!
Thank you to Imagine Church for thinking of and caring for “the least of these”
