Six months after purchasing the former Owatonna Mayo Clinic, a new nonprofit is preparing to start construction on what will be a one-stop-shop for people living in homelessness and ready to break the cycle.
Oak Hill Community Connections (OHCC) was developed last year specifically to construct a collaborative space designed to house non-profit human service agencies and organizations that provide emotional, financial, and spiritual support to those in need.
One of the most notable features of the project, however, will be developing short-term housing options for men, women, children and families to get them out of homelessness and into stable living.
“That is an important part to note, that currently there is no space in the community where a couple or family facing homelessness can remain together,” said Stacy Hanson, communications representative for the OHCC steering committee.
“Or even a couple with kids, or a single dad with kids,” added OHCC President Jolayne Mohs. “And when you are already in a high stress situation like homelessness, the last thing you want is to be separated.”
With the purchase of the 63,000-square-foot building at 134 Southview Street in Owatonna, Mohs said they will be able to house up to 30 people on the family-based side of the housing program on site. The building will also welcome Rachel’s Light, a nonprofit that has provided short term housing near Meriden for women and children facing homelessness, and will allow them to go from supporting only 11 individuals to another 30.
Most importantly, however, the site will provide wrap-around services to help the individuals and families being served with stability and education to regain their independence. Mohs said this will include, but may not be limited to, an onsite presence by Community Pathways of Steele County, South Central Human Relations Center’s “Project Home,” Hospitality House and more.
“Community Pathways is beyond excited to be part of this project. Every day we serve individuals and families who are so close to turning their lives in a more positive direction after we provide stability in food and clothing. However, one of the challenges that they still face is the ability to access additional services to take that next step,” said Dom Korbel, executive director of Community Pathways. “Oak Hill Community Connections is exactly the partner we need to help families in ways where we are not experts. This collaboration is a huge step in creating change for those of us who serve in ways that no one can do alone.”
Mohs said the collaboration of having multiple nonprofits located in one location is the crucial element, quoting Rachel’s Light Executive Director Amanda Starks on the importance of giving homeless individuals a full program to develop them for true and long term success.
“It is not successful to have someone stay in a shelter for three days,” Mohs reiterated from a recent presentation by Starks. “That is why we need a 30 to 60 to 90 day program that will not only support these individuals and families, but help them learn skills that will allow them to break that cycle of homelessness.”
According to Starks, Rachel’s Light has seen an 86% success rate with their clients since opening in 2019, following the skills training model that will be able to expand as a part of the OHCC project.
With the location of the facility, Mohs said there will be ample opportunity to utilize Fareway Foods to help clients learn a variety of skills from creating a nutritional meal plan to budgeting. The location also sits on the Smart Bus route, and Mohs said there are plans in place to utilize other transportation services to ensure clients get to the places they need to be during their time in the program.
The financial impact of co-locating these services, Mohs said, will also have a large financial impact on each nonprofit service, specifically in terms of overhead costs, and will free up additional resources for each group to funnel into providing their services to the community.
The facility itself will have 24-hour secure access to both the Rachel’s Light side and the family housing side, and will be staffed around the clock. There will also be office space for each on-site nonprofit. The project will first begin with HealthFinders transitioning in the building across the hall from its current site, and Mohs said they have a timeline of having full functioning entities at OHCC by fall 2025.
To make this happen, the OHCC is preparing a capital campaign to raise $4 million. Mohs said this will include applying for a variety of grants, corporating/business partnerships and individual community donations.
“The need for social services is growing. For one agency at a time to try to impact all the needs is difficult. To bring these agencies to a place where they are working together will increase efficiencies of the delivery of services, said campaign co-chairs Mike and Nancy Keller in a press release. “Oak Hill Community Connections will provide a central location for people who don’t know where to go and will help them get services more quickly.”
“As a community, I believe it is our responsibility to help take care of each other, no one should have to get through life alone,” Mohs said. “Oak Hill Community Connections will reduce barriers to access a wide variety of support so each person or family can improve their health and wellness, learn and rebuild skills and build relationships with each other. This in turn will make us a healthier, better, and stronger community.”
People are encouraged to watch the Oak Hill Community Connections Facebook page and visit oakhillcc.care to learn more about the project and the campaign.
OHCC STEERING COMMITTEE The Oak Hills Community Connections steering committee consists of: Drs. Brian and Kari Bunkers (co-chairs) Mike and Nancy Keller (co-chairs) Rev. Todd Buegler Gregg Draeger Jason Eyberg Ryan Gillespie Stacy Hanson Matthew Jessop Matt Kottke Jolayne Mohs April Paxton Julie Rethemeier Kim Schaufenbuel c1face53-24a2-4c33-819e-b970c68a27df
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