FARGO-MOORHEAD DOROTHY DAY HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY INC

FMDDHH has a 29 year history of service in the community. The organization has three programs, including: 1.) an emergency shelter, 2.) a primary food pantry, and 3.) a supplemental food pantry. First, the emergency shelter can house 10 adult men who have the desire and willingness to make positive changes in their lives. These men set goals for themselves, receive informal counseling and advocacy from shelter staff on a weekly basis, and journal their progress. The men can stay as long as needed if they continue to make progress on their goals each week. The staff works in collaboration with many area social service agencies to ensure that the guests are receiving comprehensive services in order to attain and sustain self-sufficiency. Service providers visit the shelter regularly to offer the following services: VA outreach, financial literacy, mental health counseling, and housing assistance. Shower and laundry services are also available at the shelter for homeless men, women, and children. In 2011, 130 men stayed at the shelter, and 38 found their own housing; furthermore, 574 visitors came to use our shower and laundry services.

Next, the food pantry is open Monday through Thursday for food distribution, where clients simply need to show identification in order to receive assistance. The food pantry is set up much like a grocery store, where clients can choose their own food. This has several benefits, including: 1.) reduces food waste by allowing people to choose what they need/want, 2.) accommodates dietary and medical concerns, 3.) considers ethnic and religious preferences, and 4.) dignifies the overall process. Implementation of exciting new services include: weekly nutrition education, a Kids’ Cabinet that allows children to choose healthy snacks, and on-the-job training for CEP workers. Families and individuals can receive a food basket once per month.

Finally, the supplemental food pantry is the newest program. This site is open twice a week, and Daily Bread items are received and distributed. Daily Bread is a program of the Great Plains Food Bank and consists of mainly bread and produce items, so no food is stored at this site, and clients can come once per week to receive assistance. Between the two food pantry sites, an astonishing 1,018,516 pounds of food was distributed to 48,332 individuals in Cass and Clay counties in 2011; 37% of the individuals served were children.

FMDDHH is very visible to and engaged with the community, as eliminating poverty takes an entire community effort. Key leaders and organizations in Fargo-Moorhead have been proactive in not only outlining comprehensive plans to end homelessness but in forming collaborative groups to work towards this end result. For example, the Fargo-Moorhead Coalition for Homeless Persons, of which FMDDHH is a member, brings all invested parties to the table to establish action plans, measurement tools, and networks of support. As a result, Project Homeless Connect was born. This is an event where homeless and imminently homeless people can access services within a one-stop shop model, service providers can network with other agencies serving the same population, and community members can reach out and become educated on the issues facing the area. FMDDHH is an integral part of this community-wide effort.

The impact the organization has on the community is phenomenal, where safety, accessibility, and advocacy are key focuses. First, FMDDHH provides basic human needs to vulnerable populations. Our neighbors are safe inside of our home, protected from the extreme weather of this area. Having a safe place provides the stability people need to improve their physical and mental health, search for housing and employment, and become reintegrated into society. Next, FMDDHH builds relationships with guests/clients and connects them to services, developing a holistic plan towards attaining and sustaining self-sufficiency. Finally, FMDDHH gives these vulnerable populations a voice and puts a face to the issues of homelessness and hunger by sharing stories and discussing barriers (i.e. mental health and chemical dependency issues, physical disabilities, emergencies, criminal history, and no/poor credit). Ultimately, we rally the community in order to educate and inform them about the issues and engage them in civic action.