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New beginnings after a house fire

There was nothing left. 

There was nothing left of the house and belongings that once provided sweet memories, shelter and hope for Tammy and her family, who had already lived through many struggles. The house caught fire on a wintry night last March, with snow still on the ground. It was around 5 a.m., when Tammy was awakened by the sound of glass shattering as a stranger kicked through her door, shouting that the house was on fire, saving the lives of her two grandsons, herself and her dad, who was visiting at the time. They made it out just in time.

The house fire changed Tammy’s life forever. Nearly everything in the home was destroyed, but that didn’t stop her from pushing ahead and working hard to overcome the continuous challenges that lay ahead.

Before the fire, Tammy struggled financially and had faced many difficulties throughout her life. She worked various part-time jobs while caring for her two grandsons as their foster mom. 

Tammy puts others’ needs before her own and will do whatever she can to keep her grandchildren safe and healthy. When challenges arose she knew she needed to seek out help, which led her to the Neighborhood House Family Centers. There she worked with a Family Coach to get the support she needed. 

“What brought me to the Family Centers is my grandson,” she said. “He was a former student at Dayton’s Bluff Elementary and I would come in and get resources for different things like housing assistance and food.” 

Tammy was able to use the food shelf inside the Family Center. She also got signed up for other programs and was managing to get by, she says, until the house fire took away the home that she had been renting.  The fire occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, which made finding shelter much more difficult, since Tammy and her two grandsons were now homeless. 

“Due to Covid-19, the shelters weren’t accepting a lot of people and they were already packed to their capacity to where they couldn’t really shelter anybody but put you on a waiting list,” Tammy said. “My mom was like, ‘you could come over here with me and your sister until you could find you a place to stay.’ We went there. It was very challenging.”  

Tammy and her two grandsons moved into her mother’s house, but it was not a sustainable living situation. “It was frustrating, because my mom had us all in one room. Within that household there were seven adults and five children living there.”

She explained that it was a really difficult time for her and that she just felt “stuck.” She didn’t know what to do or where to turn. 

“I was in shutdown mode to where I felt like, ‘where do I go from here?’” Tammy said. “I was kind of confused. I didn’t have any knowledge of where to start after a fire. I didn’t have renter’s insurance. Everything that I had is gone. The Red Cross did reach out and help us with $500. That was it and that was to pay for whatever we needed like clothes, shoes and small things. And that right there was like the most trying and challenging point in my life during the pandemic.”

Remembering the Family Center at Dayton’s Bluff Elementary, where she had received support in the past, she decided she would reach out again to see if they could help her. 

“I walked into the [Family Center] resource room and met Greta, a family coach, and she helped me out tremendously,” Tammy said. “The program has been tremendously helpful and beneficial to me and my family during the pandemic. Things that I didn’t have and directions that I didn’t have, they [Family Centers] could help me with. Greta was here, she helped me and guided me all the way until I was able to get my life back on point, like the way it is now.” 

Though it was a long and often painful process, Tammy and her two grandsons are now living in a spacious apartment and have income coming in. The children are in school and also have daycare services, while Tammy is in the process of finding new and secure employment and furthering her education.  

Tammy now says she refers people she knows to Neighborhood House and the Family Centers when she sees their struggles. She said she even referred another family member who needed support. 

“If you’re struggling right now, as I was some months ago, you can come here and seek resource help and get the help you need and move forward,” Tammy said. “It’s been very, very beneficial to me and my family to come here, to get us out of the rut that we were in before. Thank you!”

Neighborhood House’s five Family Centers are located at the Wellstone Center on the West Side, Sibley Manor on West 7th Street, and three schools: Dayton’s Bluff Elementary, John A. Johnson Elementary and St. Paul Music Academy, all located on the East Side of St. Paul. All five provide participants with a wide-range of services including housing support, emergency financial assistance, family coaching services and government benefits enrollment.

Our Family Center coaches work with participants in various stages of need. Many of the participants, like Tammy, are not sure where to turn. With help and support from a family coach, they learn about their options, come up with a plan and work on it together.

Please fill out and submit the form below to contact us.

Birgitta Anderson | Child Development Specialist

Birgitta comes to Neighborhood House as a licensed K-6 teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Elementary Education from Metropolitan State University, as well as a degree in Science Communication and Environmental Journalism from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  As a former classroom teacher for St. Paul Public School, as well as years of experience as a substitute teacher for the district, she comes with a wealth of knowledge in helping families prepare their children for entering the school system.  Her role at Neighborhood House is conducting home visits and supporting families in getting their children school ready.  She also supports in the Small Steps Childcare program, as well as in the Skills for School classroom.  Her hobbies include cycling, rock climbing, and spending time in nature.

Carrie Sowada | Child Development Specialist

Carrie comes to Neighborhood House as a recent graduate of the U of M’s Family Social Science program, where they graduated with distinction. They have more than five years of experience working with and mentoring children in St. Cloud area youth programs, as well as customer service and restaurant experience. Additionally, Carrie has experience in community building, advocacy, and working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In their spare time, Carrie enjoys crocheting. It’s their favorite hobby. 

Valerie Dorschner | Early Childhood Instructor

Valerie has worked at Neighborhood House since 2004.

Valerie leads the Skills for School preschool program and is responsible for the curriculum. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood working with parents and children, and has training and experience working with neurodiverse and dual language students.

  • Valerie is a licensed teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas.
  • She holds licenses in elementary education and in early childhood education, and has several years of experience
    teaching elementary school.

Valerie enjoys her free time with her five children and one grandchild.

Victoria Campoverde

Victoria Campoverde is the program manager of Neighborhood House’s Latino Leadership Program. She is originally from Peru and was a licensed high school teacher in her home country.

Her extensive experience within the education sector exemplifies her commitment to education and families.

  • Currently, she serves as the Cultural Liaison between Columbia Heights School District and Anoka-Hennepin School District.
  • In 2008 Victoria began working with The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s Latino Leadership Program on adapting their curriculum for the Latinx community. Since then, she has continued working in the Latino Leadership Program after its 2020 transition to Neighborhood House.
  • Coauthor of Education: Our Best Legacy (EOBL), a school success program designed for parents or caregivers with one or more children in middle school. EOBL is part of the Partnering for School Success project (PSS) with the University of Minnesota’s Extension program.
  • Lead teacher and Program Director at Joyce Preschool.
  • A 25 on the Rise, Latino Leader recipient from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
  • Facilitator with different Latino parent programs in the Twin Cities.
  • President of Kuyayki Peru MN Cultural Association.

For Victoria it is important to value ones culture and cultivate ones heritage. She believes in the importance of empowering the community through her work with Neighborhood House and the Latino Leadership Program. During her free time Victoria enjoys dancing.

Winter / Spring Fresh Produce Distributions Events*

(November – May) take place at Metro State University in St. Paul. During each event, we distribute approximately 3,000 pounds of food to approximately 75-100 families on average.

For additional questions about the Food Markets, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!

  • Requirements: Not a thing, just yourself. An identification is not required to attend.
  • Recommendations: You will want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one.
  • COVID-19: This event is held indoors, masks are encouraged.
  • Please note that your fist visit will require an onsite registration process that will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Parking: You can park in the Metro State ramp parking for $5. Otherwise, street parking is available along 7th St. and Bates Avenue.
  • If available, please consider brining your own reusable bags. On average our visitors take home around 40 pounds of food. 

Location

Metropolitan State University

(Student Center Room)
101 690 E 7th St
St. Paul, MN 55106

TIME – 2:30–4 P.M.

DATES – November 15, 2023 | December 13, 2023 

January 10, 2024 | February 14, 2024 | March 13, 2024 | April 10, 2024 | May 8, 2024

 

* Weather permitting – If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.

Still have questions? Kindly email Kaitlin Lee, Fresh Produce Coordinator

Summer / Fall distributions* (Summer 2023)

From July to October, all are welcome to come pick up a variety of free fruits and vegetables for family and friends at five St. Paul locations. 

The distributions are held outdoors and are farmer’s market style. No documentation or identification is required to participate.

For additional questions about Food Support, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page

Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!

  • Requirements: Not a thing, just yourself. An identification is not required to attend.
  • Recommendations: You may want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one. On average, visitors will leave with approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce per event. 
  • Please note that your fist visit will require an onsite registration process that will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Parking: You can on the street at most of our locations. At the Wellstone Center, you may park in our ramp.
 

Locations

The Wellstone Center*

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107

Dates

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday
From July to October
7/12, 7/26, 8/9, 8/23, 9/13, 9/27, 10/11, 10/25
Hours: 1:30 – 3pm

VIEW OUR FLYER

Dayton's Bluff Elementary*

262 Bates Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106

Dates

Every 2nd Thursday
From July to October
7/13, 8/10,  9/14, 10/12
Hours: 2 – 3:30pm

VIEW OUR FLYER

Francis Basket Food Market*

1293 East Maynard Drive #410
St. Paul, MN 55116

Dates

Every 3rd wednesday
From July to October
7/19, 8/16, 9/20, 10/18
Hours: 1:30 – 3pm

VIEW OUR FLYER

bruce vento elementary

409 case ave e
St. Paul, MN 551

Dates

every 4th thursday From July to October
7/27 (CANCELLED DUE TO HEAT), 8/24, 9/28, 10/26
Hours: 2 – 3:30pm

VIEW OUR FLYER

St. Paul music academy

27 geranium ave St. Paul, MN 55117

Dates

every 1st thursday From august & October
8/3, 10/5
Hours: 2 – 3:30pm

VIEW OUR FLYER

* Weather permitting – If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.

Still have questions? Kindly email Katelyn Yee, Fresh Produce Coordinator.

Food Market Location

Francis Basket

1293 East Maynard Drive #410
St Paul, MN 55116
Phone: (651) 699-0986

Building Hours

Monday

9AM – 11:30AM

Tuesday & WEDNESDAYS

9AM – 11:30AM
1PM – 4PM

Highland / Sibley Manor

Food Market Location

The Wellstone Center

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: (651) 789-2500
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630

Appointment Scheduling Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Appointment Scheduling Hours

Mondays

TUESDAYS – FRIDAY

 

EVERY THIRD SATURDAY

 

  • 1PM – 4PM 
  • 9AM – 11:30AM
  • 1PM – 3:30PM

 

  • 10AM – 2PM
Wellstone Center Food Market

St. Paul Music Academy

27 Geranium Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55117
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

St. Paul Music Academy

John A. Johnson Elementary

740 York Avenue
St Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

John A. Johnson Elementary

Highland / Sibley Manor Apartments

1300 West Maynard Drive
St Paul, MN 55116
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Highland / Sibley Manor

Dayton's Bluff Elementary

262 Bates Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Dayton's Bluff Elementary

Bruce Vento Elementary

409 Case Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55130
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

9AM – 4PM

Bruce Vento Elementary

Main Campus

The Wellstone Center

179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Main Phone: (651) 789-2500
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630

Building Hours

Monday – Friday

8AM – 9PM

Saturday

8AM – 4PM

Sunday

NOON – 5PM

The Wellstone Center

Parking

The Wellstone Center Parking Ramp is located on the west side of the main building. The ramp has three levels with one elevator bank. Take the elevator to the first floor and follow the signs towards the information desk.
Parking is free.

Note: Building hours may be adjusted due to holidays, emergencies, program changes or weather. Check our website homepage and social media for possible building hour changes.