Beacon Housing Update

In a continuing effort to keep the congregation informed on the issue of affordable housing, the Oak Knoll Beacon Housing Committee likes to share relevant housing articles, information and events.

You may remember that Oak Knoll recently collected paper products for distribution at Vista 44, a Beacon affordable housing location in Hopkins. There was a picture in the July newsletter of these products being delivered to Vista 44 by some Oak Knoll Beacon committee members.

During the month of May, Oak Knoll members contributed $1500.00 to be forwarded to Beacon. The Memorial and Endowment committee also contributed $1500.00 to be used specifically for supportive services at Vista 44.

Here is a brief letter the Beacon committee received from Julie Huck, Beacon’s Institutional Officer about how the funds would be used:

“Thank you so much for coordinating the contributions from Oak Knoll—it means a lot that the church is so generous as well as actively involved in Beacon’s work!

We often designate gifts based on donor request and we will do so for the church’s gifts to Vista 44 services. I happened to visit Vista 44 yesterday and it was great to see kids on the playground and reading books with staff in the children’s room.

The service providers are doing an excellent job developing relationships with residents and creating partnerships in the community, for example with the library and Sojourner, which is supporting some of the moms in healing from domestic abuse. Over the summer there will be field trips and community/social events.

We’ll keep you posted and would be happy to provide a tour if anyone in the congregation would be interested/hasn’t already had a chance to visit. Thanks again and please don’t hesitate to call/email if you have other questions.”

For more information about Beacon Housing, visit beaconinterfaith.org.