Women’s Drop-In
Women’s Program (30-40 women weekly) is outgrowing the Source Community Center: Praying for Dedicated Space
“Each week, we are seeing At-Risk Women come off the streets into a place of hope, many in tears, offering prayers of gratitude. Many weeks, we’re humbled to see 1st time commitments to follow Christ.”
In 2024, the number of women’s drop-in visits at the Source Community Center doubled, with over 1,000 clients recorded. This spring, we’ve seen a significant surge in attendance. Many women we serve are homeless, recent immigrants, or living in poverty, and they seek: 1) Physical needs: food, shower, laundry, & hygiene products, 2) Recovery Resources: a case worker, and 3) Prayer: pastoral counseling with staff.
First time at Drop-In – First time commitment to follow Christ
Maria is overwhelmed with emotion, thanking God for her new hope and new start at her Baptism.
In May, Maria was baptized alongside 13 others. She first came during the women’s drop-in hours for food and hygiene items. She received prayer and later attended La Fuente church services.
New Facility: Dedicated Space for Women’s Drop-In Center
The Source Community Center has hosted the Women’s Drop-In Program since 2022. 1,000 women in 2024 and currently 30-40 women weekly (50% increase). We need a facility dedicated as a Women’s Drop-In Center and are looking to expand to the building next door.
Facility For Sale next door to Source Community Center
New facility would provide Women’s Drop-In Center with a dedicated space
- Multiple showers & laundry
- Case worker office
- Private counseling room
- Resource & hygiene storage
Join us as we pray for at-risk women and the potential new facility to allow us to meet the growing needs. Look for more information at SourceMn.org
Survivors of trafficking and abuse often carry deep emotional walls from unimaginable pasts, Many have tried to seek help before, only to be met with disappointment and dead ends. Having a safe and welcoming space they can return to when ready is vital for reaching the at-risk and unreached. When we first welcome women at the Center, it’s common to see homelessness, bruises, addiction, isolation, and recent abuse. Yet, from these beginnings, we witness tears of gratitude, case worker meetings, goal-settings, Alpha course attendance, Community meals visits, first-time faith commitments, church attendance, and entry into supportive programs- this frequently starting with a visit to our Women’s Drop-In hours.
Women’s Drop-In Hours brings hope, dignity and vision to make a break from the past of abuse and set a foundation for the future.
- 15 yrs old: Average age a girl is first involved with sex trafficking:
- With-In 48 hours a homeless youth will be approached by someone in the sex or drug industry.
- 15% increase of homeless women since 2020.
- 53,000 survivors receive domestic violence services, annually
- 40 domestic violence homicides in 2023. Record number.
- ONE IN FOUR Minnesota women report physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in her life.
Most homeless youth per capita
2024 Minneapolis Homeless Encampments
- 15 homicides and 384 ODs
- Officer Mitchell homicide
MN Sex Trafficking & At-Risk Women
Sex Trafficking: Factors
- Poverty
- Food Insecurity
- Unstable housing
- Broken Homes
- Fatherlessness
- Domestic Abuse
- Addictions
- Isolation
- Hopelessness
- Predators: Supply & Demand
- Limited Support & Opportunities to get out
The world has told them they have no value or worth.
SOURCE WOMEN’S PROGRAM HISTORY
Source outreach programs have included:
- Homeless Youth and Teens in Prostitution since 1995.
- Residential and Supportive Housing for over 25 years
- Partnerships with local law enforcement and the FBI:
- Rescue Operations,
- Safety Seminars,
- Awareness Seminars (with local churches),
- Super Bowl LII Emergency Shelter & Victim Resource Coordinator.
Food & OutreachPrograms
Food Shelf, Neighborhood Pop-Ups, Homeless Outreach, Women’s Drop-In, Meals, Homeless Youth National Outreach, Fallout Arts Initiative, Teen Internships, Healthy Cooking Class, and ESL.
A Bridge to Recovery Resources & Faith Initiatives
Case Workers, Supportive Housing, Mentors, Spiritual Conversations, Alpha, Bible Studies, La Fuente Latino Church and local faith communities.
SPRING DAY OF PRAYER
We had an incredible day of prayer as staff and volunteers! Local churches and YWAM Twin Cities joined us. For 12 hours we had groups of 3 to 70 gathered for intercession for individuals, families, the poor, our city, the arts, those in recovery from addiction, and more.
Please continue to pray for Source and the many needs we encounter daily.
NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH OUTREACH
MEALS & PRAYER – BRINGING LIGHT TO “SPIRITUAL” DARKNESS
What do Midwest retirees and homeless youth have in common? Florida in the winter. They are both Snow Birds. Every winter homeless youth, modern day Vega bounds and travelers migrate to the National Forest in Ocala, Florida. For over 20 years Source has been part of an annual outreach in hosting a Jesus Camp/Kitchen that has includes 100’s of meals, spiritual conversations, worship and prayer around the camp fire. We have seen Baptisms, 1st time commitments to follow Christ, teens return to Minneapolis to live in Source supportive living and many tears just to name some of the fruits. It is not uncommon that we see young people open up and express the desire to pursue Christ and confess that they want to break free of addictions and even spiritual darkness that they have experienced. Jane has a history of seeking significance in many alternative spiritualities and was very open and curious about what it meant to follow Christ. She knew very little about the Bible and did not understand the Good News Christ spoke of. As she was engaged in the conversation, a young man seemed to be getting irritated and visibly disturbed. He began displaying behaviors that were unsettling and I can only categorize as demonic. Later as we prayed for him he stated that he was being controlled by Satan. It is not uncommon we witness signs of spiritual darkness over the years, but this occasion was one of the biggest we have experienced. Most everyone except for the young man and our team left our campsite. After interacting and engaging in prayers for 45 minutes there was a peaceful ending. Many guests at Ocala have testified over the years that the Jesus Camp always feels peaceful and safe. Initially this encounter seemed to thwart what seemed to be a fruitful evening of spiritual discussions and prayer. However, during the rest of our stay we ended up talking to many individuals who witnessed what happened as they expressed seeing the power of christ. We also were able to continue conversations with Jane as she expressed witnessing the spiritual forces that seem to desire her to not pursue Christ. Jane lives out of her car and sells jewelry at festivals and concerts. We have been able to stay in touch, sharing more about Christ as she expresses lots of hurt from the past and unsure if she can trust God or people in the future. She remains open to dialogue and prayer. Pray with us as we are encouraging her to pursues a safe and peaceful place to make a break from the past, spiritually detox and heal, and set foundations for the future.
DIGNITY & RESPECT
COMMUNICATE WORTH AND VALUE TO THOSE IN NEED
Women’s Drop-In: Professional Salon Volunteers Give At-Risk Women a Special Gift.
Making contact and building trust is huge challenge with reaching out to women from abusive pasts. One of our goals is to be able to communicate worth and value to individuals who have been told they have little to no worth and value for much of their past. Source Women’s Drop-In sees 10-20 women weekly. Outreach and food allows us to make initial contact and build trust and then the Drop-In gives the opportunity to pursue more when they are ready. Treating individuals with dignity and respect is a small but is incredibly significant in communicating worth and value to those in need. Hair stylists from a local salon set up shop and volunteered at the Drop-In with the heart to help us go the extra mile. Women were delightfully surprised to be given the professional care for their hair. Women living on the street or in low income housing rarely have the resources or energy to go to a salon.Women at the Drop-In expressed gratitude, sat up straighter, began to smile and left feeling loved and valued in a way they rarely experience. In the weeks that followed they seem to appreciate and trust our staff more. The day made a great impact on everyone involved as the hair stylist requested to return. It reflected an incredible day where the volunteers were unsure if they received more than they gave. Thank You to “The Barber Shop West St Paul.”
Prayer
Empowering Life Long Change – Prayer
Recently I was asked why do we pray and have faith initiatives? Honestly I could not imagine doing what we do without it. I responded, “because our desire and passion is to love and serve people. We want to help them overcome obstacles. If food and resources is the only hope for a better life and freedom from the past, then hope will be wanting.” We also come in contact with need and abuses that can easily overwhelm and break our hearts. We have also seen God move in mighty ways through prayer – physical miracles, emotional healing and hope restored. We have witnessed simple expressions of pursing faith in Christ empower many. Source was built on prayer. The effectiveness of our staff and programs is a partnership following God’s lead. This begins with prayer. Please be praying for those we serve, our programs and staff, and our families.