Greater Twin Cities United Way's "Home For Good" Initiative to Help Families Transition from Homelessness to Stable Housing this Holiday Season

Total of 80,000 household supplies to be distributed to 850 local families on Dec. 15

MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 14, 2020) — Each year, approximately 1,400 families and individuals in the greater Twin Cities region transition from homelessness to stable housing, yet many don’t have the essential items they need for a safe and stable home.

Greater Twin Cities United Way’s “Home For Good” initiative – with Bremer Bank as the presenting sponsor – aims to change that by welcoming home 850 local families with household supply kits. Assembled by volunteers at their homes, the kits include a total of 80,000 items such as hand-made fleece blankets, cooking utensils and cleaning and hygiene supplies.

Twenty-five nonprofits will pick up the 850 kits at Greater Twin Cities United Way on Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and distribute them to families in the nine-county region.

“Home For Good is one of the ways we partner with the community to lift up our hard-working families as they realize their goal of moving into a place to call home,” said John Wilgers, President and CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Bremer also is working with United Ways in neighboring markets to support another 650 families with household supply kits. “Reliable housing is a crucial part of strong communities. Bremer is proud to partner with United Way, helping to support individuals and families transitioning from homelessness to safe, stable housing,” said Jeanne Crain, President and CEO of Bremer Bank. “Greater Twin Cities United Way has a long track record of making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve, and we are pleased to continue to partner with them.”

“We’re grateful to our partners at Bremer for their ongoing commitment to our community. In addition to making Home For Good possible, Bremer also has made generous gifts to support people most impacted by the pandemic through our Greater Twin Cities COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund and our Twin Cities Rebuild for the Future Fund,” added Wilgers.

Other Home For Good sponsors and companies providing in-kind donations include 3M Open, Comcast, Delta, Delta Dental, Ecolab, Trex Commercial Products and Xcel Energy.

People can still support local families moving out of homelessness by making a gift or shopping for supplies on the Amazon Wish List. For more information, visit uwhomeforgood.com.

In addition to Home For Good, United Way provides housing support through its 211 Resource Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day for people in need and its advocacy work with legislators to unlock state funding and enact equitable housing policies.

Local nonprofits distributing the 850 kits include:

• Ain Dah Yung Center
• Amherst H Wilder Foundation
• Avenues for Youth
• Casa de Esperanza
• Catholic Charities of St. Paul & Minneapolis
• Clare Housing
• CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio)
• Emma Norton
• Face to Face Health and Counseling Services
• JustUs Health
• Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center
• Model Cities of St. Paul, Inc.
• Neighborhood House
• Oasis for Youth
• People Serving People
• Project for Pride in Living, Inc.
• RADIAS Health
• Simpson Housing
• Solid Ground
• Stephen’s Human Services, Inc.
• The Bridge for Youth
• The Link
• The Salvation Army
• YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities
• YouthLink
• YWCA St. Paul

Editor’s Note:

• Images of Bremer and United Way employees packing Welcome Home kits can be found here: Home For Good – Bremer.
• For live footage/images of nonprofits picking up the Welcome Home kits, go to Greater Twin Cities United Way’s building located at 404 S. 8^th Street in Minneapolis on Dec. 15. Outdoor pick-ups will happen one at a time in 30-minute increments between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Interviews with John Wilgers, Jeanne Crain and nonprofits distributing the kits to families are available upon request.

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About Greater Twin Cities United Way: Greater Twin Cities United Way unites changemakers, advocates for social good and develops solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone to create a community where all people thrive, regardless of income, race or place. For more information, visit www.gtcuw.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.