homelessness Archives

Duluth Opens City’s First-Ever Permanent Warming Center in Lincoln Park

The facility in the basement of the Lincoln Park Community Center on West 3rd Street includes 3 showers and handicap-accessible restrooms

February 7, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth opened its first-ever permanent warming center Monday, located in Lincoln Park. While acknowledging the major step forward in bringing more people across the city inside from the cold, advocates said this new facility barely scratches the surface of housing the 600+ people without a permanent place to live in Duluth right now. “It is good to have…

‘Fill The Tent’ Event Aimed at Helping Homeless Community

The 'Fill the Tent' event will take place at Memorial Park on grand avenue.

November 12, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — The organization Guardian Angels of West Duluth is hosting an event on Saturday in the neighborhood to help the homeless community. The ‘Fill the Tent’ event will take place at Memorial Park on grand avenue. After noticing an increase in the homeless population and individuals impacted by fires in homeless encampments. The organization is looking to pitch…

Warming Centers Preparing to Open

In January, it's moving over to a bigger facility in Lincoln Park.

October 25, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — A few shelters in the twin ports say the need to help the homeless community is growing as both supplies and space to house more people are continuously in-demand. The new executive director of CHUM, John Cole, says Duluth’s homeless population is only getting bigger. The Rainbow Center, which CHUM oversees, is going to open as a…

Duluth Resident Holds BBQ Benefitting Homeless

The organizer Airlea Defoe, herself a recovering addict who was homeless, says she wanted to make the homeless community feel more accepted.

July 31, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A Duluth resident who overcame homelessness decided to give back to that population with a barbecue to raise money and donations Saturday. The event took place in the Central Hillside Park next to One Roof Community Housing. Anyone in need could come take a hot meal or supplies for free. Donations of those items such as toothpaste and…

Salvation Army Continues to Offer Resources for Homeless

With the cities low vacancy rate, and the extension of the eviction moratorium there have been few openings for housing.

May 6, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — The Salvation Army is continuing to offer different resources for the homeless community in Duluth. With the cities low vacancy rate, and the extension of the eviction moratorium there have been few openings for housing. The rapid re-housing program, landlord incentive program and family transitional housing program are some of the resources the Salvation Army have been…

Incoming CHUM Executive Director Talks Goals, Priorities Ahead of New Role

John Cole Will Begin His Job at CHUM Effective June 1, 2021

April 12, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – John Cole, the incoming executive director of CHUM, is preparing to take the reins on June 1, 2021. Cole currently serves as the interim director at Align in Minneapolis. The organization is similar to CHUM. He looks forward to making the move to Duluth and working with outgoing director Lee Stuart before fully transitioning into the role….

Salvation Army Seeking Donations as FoodShare Month Continues

The final day for monetary donations for the extended foodshare month is Sunday April 11th.

April 8, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota’s FoodShare month in March has been extended. The Duluth Salvation Army is taking advantage of the extension with the last day to match donations in-person being on Friday. The organization is hopeful they can reach their goals which will be matched by the Minnesota FoodShare March campaign. “We have a goal locally of $9,000 and 8,000…

CHUM’s Warming Center Saw Record Number Of Winter Visitors

April 7, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s newly located Warming Center is officially closed for the season, and the number of homeless who used the shelter this winter is something homeless advocates have never seen before. This past winter a record number of people — nearly 600 — passed through the shelter for a safe and warm place to stay overnight in what’s…

Duluth Organization Making Push for New Homeless Housing Option

"I love the space. It and peaceful. It's comfortable. But more importantly to live in here and prove its a viable housing option here in Duluth."

February 23, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. – “When you’re homeless you start feeling invisible,”AIM Twin Ports Chair, Kassie Standingbear Helgerson says. “People will turn their heads and look down. They don’t want to see you. If they see you, then they will acknowledge that there’s a problem.” Back in October of 2020, advocates pitched their tents outside of Duluth city hall to bring a…

Duluth Council Approves DEDA Reserve for Kozy Fix-Up, Funding Request for Lasting Warming/Hygiene Facility

A resolution calling for part of Duluth's CARES Act money for the multi-year warming center/hygiene facility, and one for DEDA's money in case a court orders action on the Kozy.

November 9, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- On Monday the Duluth City Council unanimously passed two resolutions involving federal funding for a multi-year warming shelter and hygiene facility, and DEDA funding in case a court asks the city to work on the run-down Kozy Bar and Apartments Building. All councilors approved a resolution from Councilors Roz Randorf and Vice President Renee Van Nett calling for…

Advocates Pitch Tents Outside Duluth City Hall to Call Action to Homelessness

Local organizations gathered the crowd to raise awareness of the growing number of people sleeping on the streets.

October 26, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A different type of rally Monday filled the lawns outside Duluth City Hall with tents symbolizing the homeless population, which advocates hope speak louder than words or signs. “I want city council and the mayor and all of city government to look at these tents out here and realize that these tents represent just a fraction of the…

Duluth Warming Center Locations Still Undecided for Winter

Warming centers face new challenges during the pandemic this year

October 19, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- As the colder weather begins to come into the Northland, staff with the warming centers in Duluth are working on ways to open safely this winter. Officials with CHUM said no locations for warming centers other than the main CHUM shelter have been decided yet. “I do know that talks are going on they looked at a few…

Harbor House Adds Permanent Housing for Homeless

The Tabitha Apartments on Harris street in Superior recently announced they are opening up four rooms.

October 9, 2020

Reece Lindquist,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Superior now has more options for permanent housing for the homeless. The Tabitha Apartments on Harris street in Superior recently announced they are opening up four rooms. Although residents still haven’t moved in yet, directors of the organization say this is a big step in reducing the homeless population in the community. “We’re just trying to help…

7-Year-Old from Virginia, MN Collects Truck-Load of Donations for Homeless at CHUM

"Because there are homeless people in the world and they had nothing, they had to dumpster dive to get food," said Grayson Zebro.

October 3, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- With a pandemic-ravaged summer coming to an end and another cold Minnesota winter around the corner, the homeless population in Duluth is getting some help from a small but mighty source. “I’m collecting donations, for homeless people, said 7-year-old Grayson Zebro. A room fills with donations at the CHUM Shelter in downtown Duluth, gathered by the 7-year-old Iron…

Warming Shelters to Stay Open Longer as CHUM Gets $100,000 Grant

January 30, 2020

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. – CHUM has received a major boost in funding for its warming shelters. Last year, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced more than four-million dollars will be given out to a variety of non-profit groups to help battle homelessness. CHUM will be getting more than one-hundred thousand dollars of that grant money. It will allow local warming centers in…

Second Night of Cold, Second Night of Duluth Warming Centers

Gloria Dei and CHUM Drop-In Warming Centers open again, in need of volunteers and supplies.

December 10, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s the second night of intensely cold air across the Northland, and the second night the new warming center at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is open to give shelter. 10 people arrived at the church warming center Monday night, and nine stayed. Meanwhile at the CHUM Drop-In Center, which is also open through the night this season, 12-15…

Harbor House Crisis Shelters Seeking Volunteers

November 22, 2019

Reece Lindquist,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Harbor House Crisis Shelters in Superior are seeking volunteers before the holiday season. The Organization provides transitional living for the homeless, and are looking for people to help with the upkeep of the homes. Although donations are always appreciated- right now, the organization just needs people’s time. “We need help fixing things that are broken in the…

Blankets, Sleeping Bags Wanted for Homeless as Weather Cools

Donations can be dropped off at CHUM, Damiano Center, or Loaves and Fishes.

September 22, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- There’s a strong need for donations to help keep the homeless in Duluth warm right now and into the winter. Besides hats and gloves, CHUM’s drop-in shelter on First Avenue West needs as many sleeping bags and blankets as possible. This comes especially with the up-and-down weather the Northland has been experiencing lately. “If we look over the…

CHUM to Host Homeless Fundraising Event in Leif Erikson Park

"Walk a Mile in These Shoes" is Happening Saturday, May 4 in Duluth's Leif Erikson Park

May 2, 2019

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – CHUM is set to host a first ever fundraising event, “Walk a Mile in These Shoes.” The event is happening Saturday, May 4 at Duluth’s Leif Erickson Park. The fundraising event for CHUM will call attention to the issues of poverty, hunger, homelessness, and the extreme shortage of affordable housing in Duluth. Participants will learn about the…

West Duluth Warming Shelter is Making Strides

More than 250 people have entered the facility since it's opening on January 17th.

January 31, 2019

Nachai Taylor,

DULUTH, Minn. – About three-fourths of visitors to CHUM have experienced some form of homelessness in their lifetime. The local organization and the homeless community could not be more grateful that the West Duluth warming center is open for use. As overnight temperatures have fallen way below zero recently, the need for use of the warming facility has grown. So…

As Warming Center Opens, Concerns Arise

Homeless Persons Bill of Rights Coalition Writes Letter to City

January 18, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Thursday night marked not only the beginning of extreme cold, but the opening of a new warming center in Duluth. Five people occupied warming center on the 5800 Block of Grand Avenue in West Duluth on Thursday. While the city and the Homeless Persons Bill of Rights coalition, or HPBR, both consider that a victory, HPBR wants to…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Warming Up the Homeless

Ruth House Opens as Warming Center

January 7, 2019

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- As the frigid air of night sets in, the question of where to sleep enters the minds of the homeless in Duluth and Superior. Places like CHUM or Solid Rock often fill up quickly, leaving them with almost no options. Until now. The Ruth House in Superior is offering warmth, and care, to anyone who needs it during Northland…

Community Connect Offering Services to Help People Experiencing Homelessness

The Salvation Army and Loaves and Fishes also helped organize this year's event.

October 26, 2018

Haydee Clotter,

DULUTH, Minn. – Every year community connect helps people experiencing homelessness or poverty. The Damiano Center in Duluth was a one–stop shop for free resources like flu shots, free id’s, birth certificates and winter gear. Damiano staff say this can make a big difference for anyone dealing with homelessness. “It’s pretty incredibly for them to get them all in one place;…

CHUM Community Vigil Remembers Those Affected By Homelessness

CHUM's Street Outreach works with about 150-200 people a year.

December 23, 2017

Haydee Clotter,

DULUTH, Minn. – Nearly 100 people showed up at the steps of City Hall in Duluth for a memorial vigil. It was to honor people who’ve been homeless or who were homeless and died in 2017. “First off, they are people and they’re human beings and families. They’re part of our family. second, many of these folks are forgotten by…

homelessness

The facility in the basement of the Lincoln Park Community Center on West 3rd Street includes 3 showers and handicap-accessible restrooms

The 'Fill the Tent' event will take place at Memorial Park on grand avenue.

In January, it's moving over to a bigger facility in Lincoln Park.

The organizer Airlea Defoe, herself a recovering addict who was homeless, says she wanted to make the homeless community feel more accepted.

With the cities low vacancy rate, and the extension of the eviction moratorium there have been few openings for housing.

John Cole Will Begin His Job at CHUM Effective June 1, 2021

The final day for monetary donations for the extended foodshare month is Sunday April 11th.

"I love the space. It and peaceful. It's comfortable. But more importantly to live in here and prove its a viable housing option here in Duluth."

A resolution calling for part of Duluth's CARES Act money for the multi-year warming center/hygiene facility, and one for DEDA's money in case a court orders action on the Kozy.

Local organizations gathered the crowd to raise awareness of the growing number of people sleeping on the streets.

Warming centers face new challenges during the pandemic this year

The Tabitha Apartments on Harris street in Superior recently announced they are opening up four rooms.

"Because there are homeless people in the world and they had nothing, they had to dumpster dive to get food," said Grayson Zebro.

Gloria Dei and CHUM Drop-In Warming Centers open again, in need of volunteers and supplies.

Donations can be dropped off at CHUM, Damiano Center, or Loaves and Fishes.

"Walk a Mile in These Shoes" is Happening Saturday, May 4 in Duluth's Leif Erikson Park

More than 250 people have entered the facility since it's opening on January 17th.

Homeless Persons Bill of Rights Coalition Writes Letter to City

Ruth House Opens as Warming Center

The Salvation Army and Loaves and Fishes also helped organize this year's event.

CHUM's Street Outreach works with about 150-200 people a year.

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