CREATING SPACE FOR NEW BEGINNINGS: SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS AND ONWARD

Shepherd of the Hills is exploring a potential partnership with Onward, a local organization that provides stable housing and support for young adults ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Over the past several months, members of our church council—including John Owens (Council President), Tom Sheldon (Serve Liaison), and Pastor Yolanda—have met with Onward’s leadership to prayerfully discern how this partnership could benefit youth in our community.

Onward’s mission is to help young adults build a foundation for independence by offering safe, affordable housing for up to two years, caring case management, and life-skills support. Since 2018, they’ve served 22 young people from Hopkins, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, and nearby communities—most of whom identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ+. Residents pay modest rent, with half set aside as savings to help them launch their next chapter, and Onward provides aftercare support once they move out.

The organization hopes to expand into the Edina/Hopkins area and is in conversation with Shepherd of the Hills about renovating the church’s vacant parsonage to create a second Onward home. This partnership would likely require little financial investment beyond sharing the parsonage but could offer many opportunities to love and serve young adults in need.

A representative from Onward will share more about this opportunity during 9:30 a.m. worship on Sunday, November 9.