Current Opportunities : (Updated as of 6/25/07)

• Circle to Success news - We are recruiting adult and youth mentors, plus youth assistants and meal providers to work as volunteers to help prepare families for successful transition to affordable housing. Seven families will participate in our 9th round of training which starts on Monday evenings in early September. Mentors meet from 5:15pm to 8:15pm, meal providers meet earlier. This volunteer activity includes dinner and training. For more information check out: www.thirdwaynetwork.org , click on volunteers and see the dates for the fall sessions (Monday nights in Northeast Minneapolis.) Could you give one night a week for 10 weeks or a couple of evenings to assist? High School students can participate as youth assistants working three or more evenings during a series.
• Property owners and investors workshop - Third Way Network works with property owners and investors to create below-market affordable rental housing for qualified working families. This workshop provides a overview and reviews past housing projects. This workshop is designed for property owners interested in partnering with Third Way Network or for people willing to make a social purpose investment of $5,000 for 3 to 5 years to help purchase housing. Upcoming workshops are on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on July 19 or August 23. They are held at St. Joan of Arc Church in the parish house at 4537 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis (Near 46th street Exit from I35W) Please call Diana Valentine at 612-332-1311 x24, to RSVP.
• Construction Project - We are looking for skilled and unskilled volunteers to help rehabilitate a Duplex on Penn Avenue North in the Victory Neighborhood in North Minneapolis. Once the City completes and inspection and approves the plans, we expect to start working on this house July 13 through September 1. These units will provide housing for two families. To register, sign up online or Call 612-332-1311 x22 to indicate your interest and someone will contact you.

Mission:

The SJAHM mission is to create real homes through direct involvement with people in need, without relying solely on advocacy, legislation, or government programs.

We partner with Third Way Network to pursue a “Third Way”, distinct from advocacy and charity, to create affordable housing for low-income working families. We collaborate with property owners who are committed to creating affordable housing at the grassroots level. We support families as they prepare to move into their new housing.

SJA volunteers are needed to:

1. Work on a housing project (skilled and unskilled ).
2. Provide a Saturday lunch for the construction volunteers.
3. Mentor a family in the Circle to Success program, (a prerequisite for families to obtain affordable housing through Third Way Network.
4. Play with the children at Circle to Success.
5. Help prepare the evening meal at a Circle to Success meeting.

To learn more about this ministry or to volunteer, visit: www.Thirdwaynetwork.org, or call 612-332-1311 ext21.

Read a report on the SJA/3rd Way connection.

A finished 3rd Way/SJA housing project

Feature Stories written about the SJA Housing Ministry:

• 2006 Park Avenue Project
• Dick Brozic's 2005 Homily on the Housing Ministry
• 2004 Hawthorne Project
• 2002 SJA Second Project