CHUM’s Vision: CHUM is people of faith working together to provide basic necessities, foster stable lives, and organize for a just and compassionate community.
In 2014, CHUM sheltered over 1,000 people who were experiencing homelessness. We helped them find housing, jobs, access to medical care, and advocated for social security and disability benefits. Our street outreach team worked with over 100 people, providing survival supplies and encouraging them to come into shelter and seek appropriate housing. We provided food to over 6,000 individuals through our Food Shelf. With residents of the Seaway, we celebrated new ownership, new management, extensive repairs, new hope and renewed dignity.
CHUM doesn’t stop with basic necessities: We are also faithful stewards of our democracy, working to change policies that keep people in poverty, while following the mandate of our faith traditions to never turn our back on our brothers and sisters, to protect those at the margins of our society, to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and welcome the stranger. We do this through a collaboration of organizations statewide.
Supporting those moving from Homeless to Housed:
Homes for All Campaign: CHUM supports the Homes for All Campaign that asks for a $39 million increase for housing and homeless services. This increase will make it possible to develop affordable housing units and provide services to potential and current residents. Housing and services give people the best chance at being successful in retaining stability in their lives.
Protect the stability of those moving out of poverty:
Prosperity for all Campaign: CHUM supports the Prosperity for All Campaign that will include aMinnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) Workforce Transportation Bill, adding $130 per month in assistance for striving families
Child Care Assistance for More Families: CHUM supports the Joint Religious Legislative Coalitions(JRLC)proposal for increased funding for the Child Care Assistance Program to support working parents and to provide greater employment options for families. About 8,000 eligible Minnesota families are on waiting lists to receive child care assistance because the state’s appropriation is capped and insufficient.
Earned Sick & Safe Time: CHUM supports Take Action Minnesota in guaranteeing that all Minnesotans have access to paid sick days from their employers. Southern Saint Louis County has the highest percentage of workers in all of Minnesota that lack access to paid sick time (50% of workers do NOT have paid time off).
Reducing disparities in low-income communities and communities of color:
Restoration of Voting Rights: CHUM supports the efforts by JRLCtorestore voting rights for persons with felony convictions upon return to the community rather than after completion of probation and parole.
Human Trafficking Victims’ Services: CHUM supports the efforts by JRLC to ask for funding for services that address the needs of trafficking victims including case management, housing, health care, language interpretation, and legal services. Especially needed are safe housing opportunities to ensure the safety and recovery of victims.