The Dwelling Place

Transitional Housing - The Dwelling Place has the equivalent of 10 single family homes where residents may stay up to two years to heal and learn skills necessary to achieve independent housing, a sustaining income, and lives free of abuse. Our locations are located in residential neighborhoods and are kept confidential for the safety of our women and children, making it very difficult for abusers to find their victims. Currently our houses serve multiple purposes: safe shelter for the women and children we serve, program staff offices, and women and children's group program space. The homes are very nice, clean, furnished, and have upgraded security systems. In 2023, we successfully housed and provided services to 27 women and 35 children (20 of the women had children served by our program). 59 total women and children received 10,494 nights of safety. Children ranged in age from 2 months to 14 years old. 100% of residents were below the poverty line and considered homeless by the state of Minnesota. We received approximately 365 calls for help with at least 312 children. 3 women graduated from our program in 2023. All 3 of them moved into safe homes of their own. 4 women moved into safe homes of their own. 3 of the 4 graduated from our program. 100% of program graduates left with a job and/or reliable income. The women and children found safety and remained safe within our program.

Children's Program - With so many single mothers in our programs, The Dwelling Place also provides programming for their children. All the children in our homes receive ongoing case management, mental and behavioral health services, individual trauma therapy, and age-appropriate educational services to help them heal. All the mothers in our program also receive personalized parenting case management and education to help them meet their children's individual needs and find the best services available for their family.With our Children's Program, we envision eliminating the generational cycle of abuse through education and by showing children they are loved and have value. The goal is to promote healing from trauma and opportunities for growth in social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Children in our program experience safety and freedom from fear, strengthen their relationship with their mom, express and identify emotions in healthy ways, and learn dynamics of healthy relationships.

Domestic Abuse Program and Support Services - Our trauma-informed care consists of two primary healing principles: safety and empowerment. We have 25 years of experience in providing services to victims of domestic abuse. We combine best practices with a strong Christian environment. We were founded on the understanding that in order to help victims of domestic abuse heal from their emotional wounds, our programs must be Christ-centered and comprehensive - addressing the whole person.The Dwelling Place provides a comprehensive domestic abuse program and support services for residents, including intensive case management, support groups, education on domestic abuse, classes on budgeting and managing finances, parenting skills, shopping for affordable groceries and cooking nutritious meals on a limited budget, Bible Study and Christian spiritual support. Collaborative partnerships also exist to provide resources for employment counseling, therapy, and affordable housing.

To build on our residential program, we formalized an Alumni Program offered to women once they are ready to live independently. The Alumni Program provides on-going support and community to previous residents. More specifically, the Alumni Program provides: regular connection points for alumni and their children, mentorship, one-on-one meetings with staff, monthly gatherings for support group, and special event opportunities. We provide mentors for each alumni to walk alongside of them, as well as resources for individual challenges they might face. For example, if a woman graduate is struggling to find mental health resources, our alumni team will assist them in finding the individual support they need.