Drive aims to raise funds, awareness for Hospitality House
Hospitality House staff displays the new fundraising thermometer at the house on Main Street in Owatonna. This year’s “Raising the Roof for Homelessness” campaign goal is $100,000. Submitted photo
While the faces are changing, the work at Hospitality House in Owatonna remains much the same: helping men experiencing homelessness.
Last month, the nonprofit launched its annual “Raising the Roof for Homelessness” fundraising drive, with a goal of $100,000. Program manager Ashley Von Ruden said funds are supporting an increasingly older group of clients.
“We are seeing so many more seniors,” she said, each with their own unique challenges.
Men with disabilities are also a growing contingent. The issue there, Von Ruden said, is getting them Social Security disability support. It can take nine months just to get an application reviewed.
“What do they do in the meantime?” she said. “If they can’t work, they can get $300 from the county, but you can’t even buy groceries for $300.”
While seniors may have longer stays at Hospitality House, the organization still sees men who need just a few months of the supportive services and housing to get them back on their feet. Von Ruden said many in the community still don’t fully understand what goes on in the large, yellow house on Main Street.
“It’s not just a place to stay,” she said. “We do case management and meeting with them once a week,” which may include connecting men with other support services, getting a driver’s license, finding a job, learning how to budget, and more.
There’s accountability: Men are required to remain sober and crime-free.
The house provides a family atmosphere, with everyone required to not only keep up their own rooms but also help with household chores.
“I think when people come to the house and see what we do, it might look a little intimidating at first, but I think inside, it’s a very homey atmosphere,” Von Ruden said. “Guests try to make people feel at home, because they feel at home.”
Ultimately, they’re all working toward the day when they leave home.
“Here, we take the time to figure out what causes homelessness,” Von Ruden explained. “What issues you do have, and what can we do about it. Our goal is for you to leave us better than you came in.”
Hospitality House also encourages men to give back to the community that supports them. Guests have volunteered with downtown events, at Community Pathways, and with other organizations. One recent opportunity benefitted another nonprofit that helps people in need with items that turn a house into a home.
Hospitality House had received a call from Country Inn & Suites, which wanted to donate mattresses. Von Ruden told them the house could use two, but then thought of Furnishing Hope.
Retirees Joe Stiles and Tom Hyland founded the nonprofit four years ago to provide people referred by local nonprofits and agencies with clean, sturdy couches, loveseats, chairs, tables, and other home furniture.
“I called Joe and Tom and said, ‘I’ve got three guys who can help pick up beds.’,” Von Ruden said, and the plan came together.
It was a full-circle moment; Furnishing Hope has helped Hospitality House guests furnish their new homes. That also is an important part of the program.
“They’re being supported by the community, they should give back,” Von Ruden said.
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Hospitality House Fast Facts
- Seven of 10 households in the U.S. are at risk of homelessness.
- It costs about $753.42 a day–$44.32 per guest–to run Hospitality House.
- The house has room for up to 17 guests per day.
- In 2023, 51 men moved out of Hospitality House into their own homes.
- The house’s callback list averages 20-25 men per month.