STEVE AMPAH'S PATH TO STABILITY
Take a look at this success story from The Dignity Center participant Steve Ampah! Steve utilized some of our services when life challenges left him in a tough spot–unemployed, buried by legal issues, and homeless. Today, Steve not only has a consistent income to keep him afloat, but he started his own business! Steve continues to visit The Dignity Center to receive resources and business advice from his advocate and is actually looking to employ other participants like himself!
"When I was homeless I realized I had no purpose, I was walking around aimlessly. Once I started my own business it really gave me a sense of focus. I think that's really important. I would actually love the opportunity to employ members who are in [The Dignity Center] program to join my team... I have a lot of ideas, my vision is huge. I want to help disadvantaged, disenfranchised people experiencing homelessness, people who are down on their luck that have ambition."
Steve continues to work hard, alongside his advocate, to build his path forward, and grow as an entrepreneur. We are inspired by his fiery ambition and incredible generosity, providing employment opportunities for other participants of The Dignity Center on their path to stability.
To view more video stories like Steve's > > > click here
Interested in hiring Ampah Lawncare for leaf and snow removal? Make sure to visit Steve's website > > > ampahlawncare.com
TO FOLLOW ALONG TO THE VIDEO STORIES SHARED THIS MONTH
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CAN YOU HELP US MEET OUR GOAL?
Our donors have given abundantly and we continue moving steadily towards our goal of $50,000! Thank you to all who have given already and thank you to those that will give. Every financial gift you make contributes to our mission to welcome and support people on their path to stability.
YOUR DONATION WILL STILL BE MATCHED!
Thanks to some generous donors, every donation to The Dignity Center in the month of October is being matched dollar for dollar up to $35,000! Make a donation today to see your impact doubled.
Please donate now by clicking the link below. Support participants in your Twin Cities community, building their path to stability!
The Impact Your Donation Can Make
$25 Donation
$25 helps fund a variety of things, including volunteer training and food safety licensures. We work with different professionals to provide training for active listening – how to listen to what the participants’ needs and wishes are. This valuable skill helps build trust between the participant and the volunteer. [DONATE NOW]
$50 Donation
A donation of $50 covers the amount for 40 meals! The vast majority of our food is donated or bought discounted through our partnerships with Second Harvest Heartland and Appetite for Change. Our main costs are for labor and ‘to-go’ containers. [DONATE NOW]
$100 Donation
$100 covers costs for a smartphone and a month’s worth of unlimited data! Smartphones are essential now when filing for government benefits, looking for a job, and finding an apartment! Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic phones are necessary with fewer in-person appointments for health care and therapy. [DONATE NOW]
$150 Donation
A bed and delivery to a participant’s home are possible with a $150 donation! Our program graduates (former participants) deliver beds for us. This saves The Dignity Center and the participant money while employing a former participant! Talk about a win-win! [DONATE NOW]
$500 Donation
This amount can provide a refurbished laptop, software, and internet hot spot for participants who are students going back to school, pursuing higher education. Many of our participants want to improve their lives by getting a degree at a local community college. We help them on their way through this type of service! [DONATE NOW]
$2,000 Donation
$2,000 covers the first month’s rent, including the security deposit. Did you know that the average cost of rent in the Twin Cities is $1,000 a month for a studio apartment currently? Many participants need help getting over the hurdle of paying these first two large payments while their job or other funding kicks in. This gift gets them out of homelessness and into safe, reliable, affordable housing! [DONATE NOW]
REFLECTIONS FROM OUR CHURCH PARTNERS
"What we love about The Dignity Center–it teaches people how to fish."
We have amazing partners, both churches and community groups. Click the video to hear directly from one of our partners, Pastor Bill McLean from Mount Olivet Church!
Our partners support us in several different ways. Community and church partners collaborate with us on local services projects, providing volunteers, holding drives to collect in-kind donations and financial contributions.
If you want to learn more about how to partner with The Dignity Center, visit our Network page (haumc.org/dignity-network) or email Sarah at sarah@haumc.org.
OUR MISSION
The mission of The Dignity Center is to welcome and support people living in poverty on their path to stability.
At The Dignity Center, we provide comprehensive long-term support and services for individuals from the Twin Cities who are facing challenges, supporting them while they take concrete steps towards stability.
This month, we hope you will consider making a gift, so we can continue to support those most vulnerable in our community. All financial contributions to our "Sharing Dignity" Fall Campaign directly support our programs and services. Your gift allows us to provide participants with the assistance they need to overcome life hurdles, reach their goals and achieve long-term stability.
DIGNITY CENTER PARTICIPANTS ARE BUILDING THEIR PATH TO STABILITY
This year, there have been fewer participants coming in the door searching for immediate needs to be met, and there have been more participants committed to continuing to work with advocates and other volunteers of The Dignity Center to build their path to long-term stability. They build their path to stability by focusing on making improvements in the following stability categories: housing, income, relationships of support, education, substance abuse, employment, legal, mental and physical health.
THE DIGNITY CENTER MEETS PARTICIPANTS WHEREVER
THEY ARE ON THEIR PATH TO STABILITY AND...
We also need people who are willing to continue to advocate for affordable housing and equitable access to social services at a city, state, and national level. Housing is a right and you can make that clear to your legislators in several different ways:
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The Dignity Center is an interfaith outreach ministry of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
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