Recently, members of the Owatonna Foundation Board of Trustees, along with Staff and Board Members from the Hospitality House celebrated the completion of a Foundation funded project to improve the laundry facilities and lower level living quarters at the Hospitality House.Hospitality House offers temporary and emergency accommodations for men who are transitioning through homelessness.  They are a non-profit 501(c)3 community based-organization whose purpose is to provide a place of hospitality that is safe, clean and comfortable.  Its purpose and function are modeled after the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Movement houses of hospitality.At the house they strive to be a home free of judgment where men can find respite and a base from which to organize themselves for the next phase of their lives.  Hospitality House works with guests to locate and access the resources they need to progress towards self-sufficiency and independent living. The home receives no government funding and currently provides shelter to 17 men.“We are extremely grateful to the Owatonna Foundation for their support of this project. This beautiful, historic home is a welcome respite for our clients, but there are always maintenance and improvement projects for us to deal with to keep the home in good condition and safe and secure for those we serve.” said Mary Carstensen the facilities manager. Pete Connor, who serves as the Hospitality Board President stated “The Owatonna Foundation has long served our community by supporting worthy projects. We are very appreciative of their ongoing support of the Hospitality House and the men we serve.”

“It is always rewarding for our Trustees to see projects such as the Hospitality House completed and grant funds being put to good use! The Board and Staff at Hospitality House have done a wonderful job with bringing this project to fruition. They have donated countless hours of their own time to facilitate the project’s completion and have been a great community resource for the men they serve.” noted Foundation President, Betsy Lindgren.

The Owatonna Foundation makes grants for capital purchases and improvements in the following categories:Community – with projects that have an impact on the quality of life of the people of Owatonna, and the parks and places they use and enjoy. Arts – with projects that support the fine arts, both visual and musical, and encouraging a diverse cultural environment.Recreation – with projects that help improve the recreational opportunities of Owatonna, offering all ages a recreational outlet throughout the year. Education – with scholarships and improvements promoting education and preserving the history of Owatonna. The Foundation provides up to $30,000 annually for both traditional and non-traditional scholarships for youth and adults that are residents of or work in Owatonna.

Any 501C3 non-profit located in Owatonna and its environs with a capital project are encouraged to apply for a grant. All grant criteria and information is listed on the Foundation website at www.owatonnafoundation.org. The next grant deadline is May1^st, 2018.The Foundation office is located at 108 West Park Square, Owatonna. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am till 1 pm. For more information please go to the Foundation’s’ website or call 451-2995.

Pictured below left to right are: Jolene Sherrets: House Manager, Trustee: Todd Hale, Mary Carstensen: Facilities Manager, Trustee: Ray Stawarz, Pete Connor: Hospitality House Board President, and Trustees: Betsy Lindgren, Dr. Carol Winter and Dave Einhaus.