MN Coalition for the Homeless: REN Campaign

We are the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. We believe that shelter saves lives and housing ends homelessness.

But our name doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about us. 

Here’s the truth:

Everything we do, from our legislative advocacy to engaging organizations across Minnesota is not just FOR people who are homeless…it is LED BY people who have experienced homelessness. And our organization is so much stronger for it.

Donate to Support Lived Experience Leadership 

Here’s the scoop: MCH is the facilitator and convener of the lived-experience focused Regional Expert Network (lovingly called the REN around here). 

And in our GTMD campaign this year, you’ll get a chance to support them directly. Each year, it takes $275,000 to fully fund the leaders and the facilitation of the REN. We have the initial foundation and community support, but we still have about $100,000 to go to start the year off strong in 2023.

The REN is a group of dedicated community leaders and advocates that carry a wealth of knowledge from their lived experience with homelessness and/or years of service to their community. Since homelessness is a statewide issue, we collaborate with twelve partner organizations across the state; half of our REN members are in Greater Minnesota, and half are in the 7-County Metro.

A peer-led community of people with lived experience is the most powerful tool to push policymakers to create change that can prevent and end homelessness and build a powerful, healing space together. 

Jordon Eunison-Chisti, REN member from Duluth asks us to consider how we can “move forward in a way that is also healing. It is important to come from a place that is not reactive, but maintain our values and respond with a powerful voice."

Everything about the REN, from the work that members are engaged in to how they are compensated, is directed by REN members. The REN has a big vision: that advocates with lived-experience hold leadership roles at all levels of public service.

Without the leadership of people who have gone through homelessness at the top of decision-making structures, we leave so much power, opportunity and wisdom out of our work that is needed to shape the solution. 

A REN member from St. Paul shared that “any architect of anything should want input from the people who have the most experience. I can’t think of an area where people with lived experience shouldn’t be consulted.” 

MCH is a proud fast follower of the REN’s expertise, and we’d like to invite you along. When the individuals most impacted by housing crises are supported and amplified, we WILL see an end to homelessness in our lifetimes.  

Make your gift today and tell the REN you see them. You hear them. And you will stand up beside them as they work toward their vision of leadership in the fight against homelessness.

We asked members what they want you, supporters of MCH, to know. See more of their messages to you on the “REN” tab at the top of this  page.

Give to the Regional Expert Network (REN)

To learn more about our work, please visit: www.mnhomelesscoalition.org. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. MCH's donor privacy policy is available here: http://bit.ly/1TEejGS