Parent Experiences: Northside Child Development Center
The Impact of Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center
Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center cares for up to 129 children at a time in North Minneapolis, with many more on their waitlist. Latasha, Brandon, and Dajah describe just how important the program has been — not only for their children, but for them as parents.
What Northside Offers
Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center is a place that many North Minneapolis families rely on for early childhood programming, childcare, and education for children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Beyond those services, Northside is a community hub in its neighborhood, offering many family-focused events, parent education, and parent support groups.
Northside is committed to providing children in the greater Twin Cities metro region with the strong, healthy starts they need to succeed. Through a curriculum tailored to each developmental stage, children receive high-quality care and education that prepares them for school and beyond.
Mark Finds Resources for Homeless Elders
Mark’s Story
Mark was born and raised in St. Paul. When he lost his partner of 23 years to cancer, he couldn’t afford him home anymore. Mark lived in his car with his dog Piper for about a year before finding help at Catholic Charities.
Support for Homeless Elders
At 69 years old, and after working manual labor most of his life, “I never thought I’d be homeless sleeping in my car, ” Mark said. “It could happen to anybody nowadays.”
Mark bought a cheap car from one of his friends after losing his house. He and Piper lived in his car together, often sleeping in the Cub Foods parking lot in Maplewood. “I applied at every organization I could think of for help,” Mark explained. “[Catholic Charities Twin Cities] were the only ones that actually called me back and helped me.”
Mark was connected to Catholic Charities Homeless Elders program, one the provides intensive case management and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable elders experiencing homelessness.
An Important Program and a New Home
Catholic Charities Homeless Elders team found a new home for Mark in just one month after he contacted them.
And when Mark was recently in the hospital for a few weeks, Catholic Charities helped kennel Piper. One of the seemingly small services that makes a big difference when unexpected circumstances arise.
“When I moved in here, I said, ‘Piper, we ain’t going nowhere’,” said Mark. “The program is important, and when they say that they’re going to help you, they help you.”
Mark and Piper continue to live in a home of their own in St. Paul and receive services from the Homeless Elders team.
Jessica’s Family Finds Support in Shelter
Jessica’s Story
When you meet Jessica, her strength and love for her children shine through. She is a single mother who left a bad relationship for the safety of her children — even though it meant starting over with nothing.
Finding Support at Catholic Charities
For nearly a year, Jessica and her children experienced homelessness. They moved from shelter to shelter, often unsure how long they could stay or what they would do next. “One of the hardest times was when I left one shelter because my time was up,” she recalled. “I was outside for 10 days.”
Jessica turned to Catholic Charities for help. She found safety and stability at the Family Service Center — a shelter for 21 families in Ramsey County operated by Catholic Charities. There, she was welcomed with compassion. “Things started turning around when we got to Catholic Charities,” Jessica said.
More Than a Shelter
The Family Service Center provided more than shelter for Jessica’s family. She could finally take a deep breath. Her family had personal space in a clean, safe environment. They didn’t have to worry about where their next meal would come from.
“They give you your own room, your own bathroom, and it’s hard to find that in a lot of places,” she explained. “The food is amazing . . . the tutoring that they have here for the children to help mothers and families . . . the support here is awesome.”
Jessica emphasized that without Catholic Charities, she might still be on the streets. After struggling for a year, she knows how hard it is to find resources. If not for Catholic Charities, “where would the support come from?” she asked.
Planning a Brighter Future
Now, Jessica has a community she can lean on and the support her family needs to start over. She’s rebuilding her life — going to therapy and continuing to nurture her children. Jessica is working with Catholic Charities staff to move forward. Her children are back in school, surrounded by care and structure.
“Because of Catholic Charities, I have housing lined up,” she said. “Things are pending… but a couple of programs have come through for me.”
Since arriving at the Family Service Center, Jessica has been healing, growing, and planning a brighter future for her family.
The Importance of Emergency Shelter
Searching for Stability
Mary and her daughter Ginger have always been there for each other. Mary raised Ginger in California where she worked for decades as a teacher. Ginger, like her mother, chose a career that helps others directly. She worked with people with disabilities and as a caregiver. However, Ginger noted that, “the jobs I’ve had never paid enough to get ahead.”
Pursuing a more affordable place to live, Ginger and Mary relocated to Ohio where some of their relatives were living at the time. Like many people, they were trying to balance financial struggles and seek a more secure future. But they faced unexpected challenges.
Ginger and Mary lost their housing in early 2022. The reasons were complicated, but involved limited financial resources, health needs, and the simple truth that unexpected emergencies can overwhelm even the most careful planners. As Ginger said, “Even a CEO can lose everything in a heartbeat.”
After losing their home in Ohio, Ginger and Mary spent two years moving from place to place in a used truck. It became their lifeline as they searched for stability. When they had nowhere else to go, they sometimes slept in the truck, trying to find rest in cramped and uncomfortable conditions.
Over the course of two years, Ginger and Mary spent a lot of time in several Minnesota cities before landing in St. Paul. One evening in March of 2024, Ginger and Mary heard a scraping noise coming from beneath their truck while driving. When they pulled over, Mary said that, “the whole bottom of the truck fell out from beneath us.”
“Even when shelter is hard, I’m thankful Catholic Charities makes sure we’re safe and indoors.”
Safety at Dorothy Day Place
A passerby saw it happen and called the police who took Mary and Ginger to a hotel for the night. The next day they put their belongings into storage and signed up for shelter beds together at Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Place.
At Dorothy Day Place, Mary and Ginger found safety, and beds to sleep in every night. Mary noted, “They also gave us meals, clothes, toiletries—things we didn’t know how we were going to get otherwise.”
Catholic Charities staff are also helping them work to find stability. “The staff are helping us with the housing applications,” Ginger explained. “It’s a lot, but they’re walking us through it.” Mary added, “They treat us like people, not problems. That matters when you’ve been through so much.”
“Even when shelter is hard, I’m thankful Catholic Charities makes sure we’re safe and indoors,” Mary said.
Finding Stability Again
Even in the middle of hardship, Ginger is keeping her eyes on the future. She dreams of going back to school and finding a stable job. She wants to be able to support herself and her mom.
Mary is determined to build back the life she once knew. She dreams of cooking meals in their own kitchen, decorating for the holidays, and enjoying the peace that comes with stability.
Mary expressed her gratitude for the people at Catholic Charities. “Staff don’t just hand you a list and send you off,” she explained, “they sit down with you, explain things, and make sure you understand what to do next.”
After working with Catholic Charities staff, Mary and Ginger recently moved into a home of their own again.
Footwear, Foot Care and More at Dorothy Day Place
Our Hearts to Your Soles: An Important Tradition at Catholic Charities
For 19 years, the Twin Cities-based “David Lewis Memorial, Our Hearts to Your Soles” has brought together physicians, surgeons, nurses, their families, local businesses, and a host of volunteers to provide Red Wing shoes and boots, foot care, and more for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the Twin Cities. Dr. Lance Silverman, an orthopedic surgeon, and Chris Boosalis are spearheading this year’s event, and The Silverman Family is providing financial support.
Historically the event has provided nearly 500 individuals with socks, shoes, and a professional foot and ankle examination, all at no charge. At this year’s event, Our Hearts to Your Soles donated 600 pairs of socks, Red Wing provided shoes and boots, licensed medical professionals performed foot screenings, Allina Health System donated shoe covers, Fairview nurses provided Flu and COVID vaccinations, a variety of Twin Cities lawyer provided legal guidance, and professional shoe fitters and orthotists helped fit shoes.
“We’re deeply grateful for our longtime partnership with the Our Hearts to Your Soles team of volunteers,” said Jamie Verbrugge, President & CEO of Catholic Charities Twin Cities. “Year after year, they not only generously provide much-needed shoes and footcare to our neighbors, but they also bring warmth, compassion, and respect to every person they serve.”
The event took place at Catholic Charities Saint Paul Opportunity Center providing a wide range of benefits to participants, including:
A Community of Care
The event’s continued success is largely thanks to the vision of Dr. Lance Silverman, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Silverman has spearheaded this effort for many years, working alongside more than 100 community partners to embody caring for individuals experiencing homelessness.
“There are people in the Twin Cities who simply cannot afford to visit a doctor or to replace their worn-out shoes,” said Dr. Silverman. “Our Hearts to Your Soles provides an outlet for economically burdened individuals to receive the care and attention they deserve. As the temperatures continue to drop, everyone needs warm and protective footwear. This is a great way to help those in need in our community.”
A Northside Halloween Tradition
Trick-or-Treaters Visit from Northside Child Development Center
For more than a decade, children from Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center (NCDC) have upheld a Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating at the agency’s administrative offices. This tradition began when the team at NCDC were looking for ways to engage students and staff in a fun way — and help them learn more about Catholic Charities first-hand. “We wanted to go to different spaces within the agency to meet people and make connections,” said Rasheena Bickham, program manager at NCDC. “And we also wanted to give our kids the best experience trick-or-treating on Halloween — especially because it isn’t always safe for some children to go out in their neighborhoods at night.”
Since then, a van full of NCDC staff and students has traveled to Catholic Charities’ administrative center every year on Halloween. And when Catholic Charities moved its Minneapolis headquarters to the Frey Center at Elliot Park, NCDC’s trick-or-treaters followed.
Catholic Charities staff and NCDC students love this Halloween tradition. Everybody wears their best costumes, kids carry buckets for candy, and chaperones bring bags to fill up for older kids who have to stay behind to attend classes. Afterwards, everybody at NCDC — and their families — are invited to a fall festival. Catholic Charities serves nearly 200 children each year at Northside, so these festivals draw a large crowd!
What it Means for Families
NCDC is an important resource for families who are eligible for state-subsidized childcare. Celebrations aside, NCDC is a place that many North Minneapolis families rely on for early childhood programming, childcare, and education for children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Beyond those services, Northside is a community hub in its neighborhood, offering many family-focused events, parent education, and parent support groups.
“Our main objective is to create fun experiences for all of our kids while they are here,” said Rasheena. “We tell new parents that we don’t know what kids go through once they leave us, so when they are here, we give 100% to them and make sure that every minute is full of fun, joy, learning, and love.”
Aging and Disability Services in Action
Helping Neighbors with Disabilities
When you meet Megan, her love for local history is obvious. She especially loves stories about neighborhoods and buildings in St. Paul.
Megan lives with a disability that makes it impossible for her to work. She relies on supportive services that help her with daily life. Although she can’t work, Megan spends time volunteering, crafting, and caring for her two cats.
For years, Megan lived in an apartment that wasn’t safe. “It wasn’t a good place to live,” she remembers. “I was constantly stressed, and I knew I needed to get out.”
She didn’t have the resources to move on her own, but when her building was condemned, leaving was the only option. Megan turned to Catholic Charities for help.
“It’s a relief to know there’s someone I can call when something comes up. Catholic Charities has my back.”
A Safe and Supportive Home
Megan was connected to Catholic Charities Aging and Disability Services program. Our staff helped her find a safe apartment. They helped make sure she would continue receiving the in-home care she needs.
“They helped me get out, and I couldn’t have done it without them,” Megan says. “It’s a relief to know there’s someone I can call when something comes up. Catholic Charities has my back.”
Megan emphasizes that without Catholic Charities’ help, she could have lost her housing and benefits. “Catholic Charities made sure I had a place to go,” she said. “They took care of the details so I didn’t end up on the street.”
Catholic Charities continues to help manage Megan’s support network. Staff make sure she has consistent in-home care and can live independently.
Finding Stability Again
“They didn’t just find me an apartment,” Megan said. “They made sure I had the support in place to keep it.”
Now, Megan feels safe for the first time in years. She can focus on her health, enjoy her pets, and live with peace of mind. Catholic Charities Aging and Disability Services has helped people like Megan for nearly 50 years.
Megan hopes to remain active in advocating for the programs that have helped her. Especially as cuts to Medicaid bring her benefits into question. “Without their help, I’d be in a shelter or worse,” said Megan. “Instead, I have a home where I can take care of my health.”
Teaming Up with the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings Support Northside Youth
This summer, students from Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center were invited to the Minnesota Vikings TCO Stadium training facility! Students at Northside had just completed a summer-long health and wellness program put on by the Northside Achievement Zone, and loved showing off their moves to Vikings starters J.J. McCarthy, Josh Metellus, Blake Cashman, C.J. Ham, Brian O’Neil, Donovan Jackson, and others.
This special experience was made possible by the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, an organization that partners with NFL teams to coordinate engagement with and support for impactful youth programs, like the Northside Child Development Center.
Check out some photos from the day:
An Ongoing Partnership
The Minnesota Vikings continue to support Catholic Charities with their Vikings Table Food Truck, a program with the mission of serving healthy meals and nutrition education to youth across the Greater Twin Cities area. Currently, the Vikings Table is providing meals every other week to children and families at the Northside Child Development Center, and Hope Street Youth Shelter!
For busy families with children, and for youth experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis, regular access to free, delicious, healthy meals makes a huge difference.
Let’s cheer on our Northside students as they kick off a new school year, and the Minnesota Vikings as this season gets going!
Homelessness Can Affect Anyone
Navigating Unexpected Crises
Eric is a successful architect who founded a national firm in the Twin Cities metro area. He spent decades organizing large projects and built a successful life for himself. But behind the scenes, Eric was struggling with anxiety and depression. He tried to manage it alone, but the pressure became too much.
He began self-medicating with alcohol. He went through in-patient treatments but was still struggling. Eventually, Eric’s marriage fell apart. Not long after, he fell and suffered a traumatic brain injury. This led to seizures and mounting medical issues that left him unable to walk or work.
Eric’s savings were drained. He was evicted from his apartment. Eric heard knocking one morning, and when he got to the door, “three sheriffs were there,” he remembered. “They served me the eviction notice and told me to take whatever I could carry.”
“I didn’t know how to survive being homeless, but the staff here showed me what to do—they helped me step by step.”
Finding Safety and Shelter
Eric has been staying at Dorothy Day Place since September of 2024. He has a bed at the overnight shelter. He has access to meals, laundry, and essential services at the daytime center across the street. Catholic Charities staff also connect Eric to medical care, therapy, and housing navigation.
“I didn’t know how to survive being homeless,” Eric says. “But the staff here showed me what to do—they helped me step by step.”
Dorothy Day Place Saves Lives
Eric’s case manager has helped him apply for benefits, get on the Section 8 housing waitlist, and maintain regular mental health treatment. Eric has now been sober for over a year. “I haven’t had a drink in 15 months,” he said. “I’ve got too much to live for now.”
Eric is also helping others. He hopes to become a certified peer recovery specialist. “I love talking to people, showing them the steps they can take,” Eric explained. “Because I’ve been there.”
Today, Eric is working to secure permanent housing and to heal. “This place saved my life,” he says. “You’ve got to give hope to people . . . Catholic Charities gave me that.”
A Special Northside Performance
Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center Presents: Annie Jr.
Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center (NCDC) collaborated with the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) this summer to present a special performance of Annie Jr. at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis!
Students at NCDC worked hard and rehearsed all summer before the red carpet was rolled out for them and their families. Northside’s rendition of Annie Jr. featured a ten-year-old Oliver Warbucks, a strong-willed Miss Hannigan, a wonderful lead Annie, and the rest of the amazing characters that make the play so iconic.
View some of our favorite photos from the evening:
