Homeless nonprofits merge to form Lighthouse
In 2008, two groups of caring Owatonna residents opened homes that would serve men, women, and children who found themselves without permanent housing.
Over the years, both organizations changed. Founded by former mayor Pete Connor, Hospitality House, serving only men, would move from a former State School cottage to a historic home on Main Street. The Lily Sparrow House, founded by Rev. Jack and Virginia Miller to serve unhoused women and children, closed in 2017. Its mission continued in Rachel’s Light, which moved five years ago into a house in Meriden.
On Jan. 3, both organizations took the next step in their histories and merged to become Lighthouse of Southern MN.
In a letter to supporters, Rachel’s Light staff and board members said the decision “was not arrived at lightly, or without considerable thought into the history and contributions each organization holds within our generous community.”
“There are many reasons why this merger makes sense, but the one we felt was paramount was to serve homelessness as a whole in our community in an inclusive, compassionate and empowering way.”
The letter also explains that while the two nonprofits collaborate, they also “often find ourselves unintentionally competing for funding, staffing, volunteers, and leadership. This merger will strengthen our staff and our capacity to hire additional human capital to provide the programming needed to support our guests.”
Julie Summy, a former Rachel’s Light board member who now serves on the Lighthouse board, said she has wanted to see the collaboration for a long time. She's also leading an effort to open The Teen Lodge for young people who are unhoused.
“This has been a dream of mine for many years, seeing our homeless groups come together under one roof,” said Summy. “I think it’s the best idea they’ve ever had.”
Rachel’s Light executive director Amanda Starks, who serves as director of the new nonprofit, said its name was not a random choice; it combines the last words in the names of both entities.
“A lighthouse is a beacon of hope,” she said. “We both have a lot we can bring to the table.”
Rachel’s Light and Hospitality House are also part of Oak Hill Community Connections, which will eventually open a shared facility in the former Mayo Clinic building on Oak Avenue. It will provide short-term housing and wrap-around services for families and individuals to create a kind of “one-stop shop” for those in need.
Hospitality House, which had been operating without an executive director since last July, will continue at its current location. Rachel’s Light will eventually relocate to the Oak Hill facility, which is expected to open late this year or in early 2026.
According to a building plan posted at oakhillcc.care, Rachel’s Light will join a HealthFinders clinic, a Community Pathways office, and family housing on the first floor. Rachel’s Light and Hospitality House will have offices on the second floor, along with South Central Human Relations, which provides mental health services. There’s also space set aside for nonprofit collaboration.