Written by Val Walker
Being associated with Emma Norton Services and Ministries has always been a source of joy for me. I first became aware of the ministry to young women when I visited the St. Paul Girls’ Club located in a 4-bedroom house in St. Paul. Four young women lived in the house under the care and supervision of a house mother hired by the Conference WSCS (Women’s Society for Christian Service). From that small beginning has arisen an ever growing commitment by the Conference UM women to provide a ministry to girls and women.
In 1967, the WSCS opened a new building, housing 47 young women and girls from around Minnesota, many of whom came to the Cities to work at the state capitol. The location, in downtown St. Paul, was just a short walk to the capitol.
Over the decades that followed, the need for housing to help people recover from homelessness became evident. Emma Norton Services stepped up to provide that housing for single women at Emma Norton Residence in St. Paul, and for large families at Emma’s Place in Maplewood. For decades now, both locations have offered supportive housing—that is housing that doesn’t just provide shelter, but also a high level of professional recovery support.
Today, that need is even greater and again, the United Methodist Women (now United Women of Faith) has joined with other groups to find a way to meet this need with construction of Restoring Waters, a beautiful 60-unit building to which will house both single adults and small families.
Much like the move from the St. Paul Girls Club to Emma Norton Residence, the move to Restoring Waters will expand both the number of people the organization can serve, and the depth of service that can be provided. The residents in this building will have fully private apartments, with their own kitchens and bathrooms. Restoring Waters will also give them access to on-site cooking and art classes, a gardening center, and nurse visits, all in a beautiful, walkable neighborhood.
You and I as members of HAUMC/UWF and HAUMC membership have an opportunity to participate with others in the Restoring Waters Capital Campaign for this new building. Together we can make it happen!