Normandale House

Greetings from Normandale House!

During this time of Lent we are reflective of life and its blessings. I am truly thankful for the support our Housing Ministry has received over the years. We have been able to support and minister to 42 families who have come through Normandale House. Families who were homeless and without shelter, families we sought and welcomed into our church family and a community rebirth in the Phillips neighborhood.

The past five years have been particularly gracious because you, the members and friends, had the vision and wisdom to create Marching off the Maps (MOM).

Through MOM we have been able to actually address the issues of poverty and homelessness by assembling a ministry staff to assist families through transitional housing at Normandale House. The Housing Ministry staff has also helped to facilitate church member involvement in living out the gospel through more direct relationship with families.

In 2007, we took a leap of faith, acquiring affordable housing with our Elliot Avenue homes. Elliot Avenue has provided 16 additional families with affordable housing, allowing them an opportunity to continue building a life of self-sufficiency. To date, no one has returned to homelessness.

So, to continue the work, this year the Give Hope campaign has been launched.

Look for campaign information at the Welcome center.

You may also contract Rod Wooten @ 952-693-8303 or rod@normluth.org for information on the Give Hope campaign.

What is Give Hope?

• A call to volunteer.
• An opportunity to build relationships between church and community.
• A celebration of success when the mission of helping the poor is an expression of our blessing.
• Funding to support housing ministry staff and programs.

We need your help!

Matthew 25: 35, 40 NLT

I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I tell you the truth, when you did to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!

Rod Wooten, Executive Director
Phil Larson, Volunteer Coordinator
Val Pruitt, Case Manager

Reading Buddies

Reading Buddies work with the children; Family Friends and Support Teams assist the residents. Other opportunities range from helping with the house to teaching special skills.

Reading Buddies will continue to be a weekly service opportunity for 10-12th grade students who want to help Normandale House youth with their homework, but with a few extras.

What we will do is: help with homework, eat dinner and play a game.

What we want: 10-12th grade students willing to give 2, 3 or 4 Mondays a month to this awesome program. We will meet at the church at 5:30 pm and ride together down to Normandale House. We will be with our new friends until 7:30 pm when we head back to Normandale Church.

Total time commitment: 2.5 hours, between 5:30-8:00 pm.

Look for an informational letter in the mail soon and come join the fun.

Normandale House Summer of Community Fun

Community Garden Planting and Picnic

Normandale House resident families, family friends and support volunteers from Normandale Church, and staff enjoyed a backyard picnic in June. Forty plus people shared a tasty potluck lunch, fellowship, and planting our community garden with numerous annual and perennial plants that add to the beauty of Normandale House. Thanks to volunteers Sister Diane Solmonson and friends as well as Crystal and numerous volunteers and residents from Our Saviour’s Housing for bringing food, planting and building lower beds, and enjoying fun and food with our families. A special thank you to David Chin for his donation of time and materials for the plantings.

The Confirmands celebrate with a Paint and Clean-up at Normandale House

On Monday, August 2, and Tuesday, August 3, thirteen of our Confirmands came to the Phillips community, home to Normandale House. Supervised by Normandale House and Urban Homeworks staff, they worked in three groups to clean up the area around our Elliott Avenue homes, paint the Normandale House garage and repair cement, and clean up and paint the Normandale House basement. We also enjoyed lunch at the Global Market and a wonderful cookout and birthday celebration at the home of Steve and Leslie Hanson. Our Normandale House families really appreciated the work and attention to their care that our Confirmation youth provided.

The youth teams included: Matthew Berntson, Kayla Espindola, Kirsten Himle, Kelli Hough, Matt Hough, Nicole Hough, Leah Madich, Joe Nelson, Aaron O’Neill, Brian Reichert, Joey Reynolds, Tryg Veker, and Austin Wothe.

Thank You

Thanks to these individuals who have made donations recently to the Normandale House: Tom Bang, Mendal & Sue Mearkle, Ray Olson, and Lloyd Svendsbye.

Blessings,

Rod Wooten                             .
Executive Director                  
rod@normluth.org                 
952-693-8303                         

Valerie Pruitt, M.A
Resident Case Manager
valerie@normluth.org
612-872-4021 x 32/31

Steve Hanson, Youth Director - For more information on Reading Buddies
steve@normluth.org
952-929-1697 ext 28