CDH Serves as Emergency Shelter for Project Home

Joe Miley'11
July 20, 2017

Since 2001, Cretin-Derham Hall has served as an emergency overnight shelter for Project Home, an organization based in St. Paul that engages area faith communities to provide shelter space and volunteer support for Ramsey County families facing homelessness. Each July, CDH turns the Commons into overnight shelter for homeless families. This year, the CDH Commons has became a temporary home for six families that include twelve children.

This ministry would not be possible without the compassionate service of CDH students and community members. Each evening, CDH students, faculty, and community members help to keep the shelter running smoothly by being present to our guests, accommodating their needs, and entertaining the children either in the gym or on the playing fields. Overnight adult volunteers provide assistance and support until the next morning when the families head to The Family Place in downtown St Paul for the day.

CDH’s involvement with Project Home has had a lasting impact on many people who have had the opportunity to serve and minister to the families in need. While reflecting on CDH’s involvement with Project Home, Maureen Modl, a faculty member who has played an instrumental role in the success of the shelter for years, mentioned that the student volunteers often comment on what a humbling and eye opening experience this is for them. Often, these same volunteers will continue to seek and be involved in similar opportunities in their own communities. Additionally, many adult volunteers are alumni of CDH who continue to minister because their experience as former students has affected them significantly and they know they can continue to make a difference. Some even bring their own families to volunteer in the evenings.

Modl expressed her zeal for CDH’s commitment to Project Home, saying, “It has been inspiring to see our CDH community provide this vital ministry year after year. The blessings that we provide only come back to us, tenfold.”