07/14/2026
For the rest of July, we are focusing on DIRECT support for this family in St. Paul. Their story is familiar because we've shared it before ~ it is almost the end of the month and this family will have nowhere to go if they cannot come up with the security deposit in full.
Payments can be made directly to the management company and that information is below. This is not a HIPAA privacy law protected family so you're able to speak with Mom directly and gift to her directly. π
The family has applied for emergency county assistance; the county office is backed up - but they have been given priority status and they're hoping to hear back this week from that department.
Other organizations are requesting a denial letter of payment of the double security deposit that is required, before being willing to help and time is of the essence. It's NOT guaranteed that other organizations will be able to help ~ but before they even consider looking at an application they need that denial letter upfront.
******
AFTER 13 YEARS IN THE SAME HOME, THIS FAMILY FINALLY HAS SOME GOOD NEWS. CAN YOU HELP THEM GET THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR? π‘ π
I have shared pieces of this family's story over the past few weeks, but today I finally get to share something we have all been waiting and praying for:
Rhonda and their family have officially been approved for a townhouse in St. Paul. π₯Ή
This family has lived in the same rental home for 13 years.
Thirteen years.
They paid their rent. They took care of their home. They built a life there. They have excellent rental references and have never been late on their rent.
They aren't moving because they did something wrong.
The home they have rented for 13 years was sold, and they have to be out by the end of July.
And for the past several weeks, I have been trying everything I can think of to help them.
I have personally contacted more than 175 churches and organizations seeking help with their security deposit.
I have heard back from four churches who were so sweet and kind and gracious - but unable to contribute... and I completely understand that churches are inudated with requests for help.
I have written emails, made calls, followed leads, researched resources, and knocked on every metaphorical door I could find. At this point, if there is a church office with an email address in Minnesota, there is a decent chance they have heard from me. π€£
The family applied for Emergency Assistance through the county approximately three weeks ago. They checked on the application again yesterday and were told the county is behind and that it could be another three weeks before their application is processed.
Unfortunately, their housing deadline is not running on county time.
Their new townhouse is available now.
Because they have little to no established credit, the property requires a DOUBLE security deposit, even though this family has 13 years of excellent rental history and has never been late paying their rent.
Their total deposit is more than $4,200.
Their ongoing rent is secured and manageable for the family. This is not a situation where we are trying to put someone into housing they cannot maintain.
They simply need help getting through the door.
And I really want people to understand who we are talking about.
They have been the ones helping.
Rhonda has volunteered with Dorothy Day, Jesus Delivers, and every year this family helps with Adopt-A-Family For The Holidays MN.
They show up.
They volunteer.
They help other people while carrying burdens of their own that most people never see.
This is a family living with disabilities, trauma, and significant mental-health challenges within their household. There are family members who cannot simply pick up extra shifts, work three jobs, or magically make thousands of dollars appear because life suddenly demanded it.
And still, they serve others.
That matters to me.
I've been inside their home many times. I know this family personally. I know how they live, how they treat people, and how little they ask for themselves.
They are not a family surrounded by brand-new furniture and expensive belongings.
After 13 years in one home, they are now packing, sorting, renting a dumpster, trying to figure out U-Haul costs, replacing things that cannot make the move, and facing the reality that their new home may be very, very empty when they walk into it.
They need beds.
They need pots and pans.
They need basic household items and furniture.
They need a washer and dryer.
Etc etc etc
But do you know what they have said?
They will happily move into an empty townhouse and sleep on the floor if they have to.
They just need to get inside.
π π
So right now, my biggest focus is helping this family secure the remaining deposit necessary to move into their new home.
For transparency, I have documentation showing the deposit amount and housing approval. You are able to send money directly to the management office of the townhouses they will hopefully be moving into, provided they come up with the security deposit before the last day of the month.
Sponsors are able to connect to this family DIRECTLY.
I also want to be very clear about something:
Adopt-A-Family For The Holidays MN is not a brick-and-mortar organization with a giant emergency fund somewhere.
π I wish.
We are quite literally a grassroots program operating out of our home, our garage, and a storage unit that has seen things no storage unit should ever have to witness. π π¦
What comes in goes back out to families.
That's how we operate.
So today, I'm asking our community to help me do something that feels incredibly important:
Let's give back to a family who has spent years giving to other people.
Maybe one person can't cover a $4,300+ deposit.
Most people can't.
That's an enormous amount of money, I know!
But communities can do things individuals cannot.
Twenty people can do something.
Fifty people can do something.
A hundred people can do something.
A church can do something.
A business can do something.
And sometimes a whole bunch of people saying, βI can help a little,β is exactly how a family gets the keys to their next chapter.
They have spent 13 years building a home in one place.
Now circumstances beyond their control are forcing them to begin again.
I want their first memory of this new home to be this:
When they needed help, the community they had spent years serving showed up for them, too.
If you can help toward the deposit, U-Haul costs, beds, pots and pans, furniture, a washer/dryer or basic household necessities, please reach out to me. I will connect you DIRECTLY to the family and you're able to donate DIRECTLY to the family and speak with them yourselves.
They are not covered under HIPAA privacy laws because they aren't involved in any program that we're connected with - they are only volunteers for our program and others.
We are NOT accepting donations on their behalf because we want you to be able to talk to them directly ~ if you really want to donate anonymously we can set that up but I still would like you to have some kind of initial conversation with the family whether it be over email or a phone call, etc.
The immediate priority is the security deposit, because the other stuff can come later.
A bed can be donated next week.
A table can be found.
Pots and pans can slowly fill a cupboard.
But first, they need the keys. πβ€οΈ
Please share.
Please TAG churches, businesses, community groups, or individuals who may be able to help.
And if you have ever been helped by this family, volunteered beside them, or watched them show up for others, this is the moment to help us show up for them.
It's their turn. β€οΈ π‘
THANK YOU!!!!
Bethany Nelson-Lieser
[email protected]
612-384-6318
The PROPERTY MANAGER:
Vanessa Holtzkamp
Georgetown Park of St. Paul
Office: 651-738-2806
[email protected]
2257 Hillsdale Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55119
Rhonda herself also has a cash app:
$ShyLo651
