St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Ministry
Open for Minneapolis residents: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30-11:30am in the lower level of the Basilica (first come, first served).
Services provided at this time are:
- Prayer/listening
- Bus cards for verifiable new jobs
- ID vouchers for state ID, driver’s license, and birth certificates from any state
- Gas cards for licensed drivers
- Hygiene items
- Rent Assistance (offered before 10:45am on THURSDAYS ONLY)
Guests should bring photo ID (does not have to be government issued) and a current piece of mail. Those staying in a shelter should bring a shelter verification form.
The Basilica provides an emergency rental assistance program with Align Minneapolis.
To apply you must:
- Live in the city limits of Minneapolis
- Not owe back rent more than three months or over $3,000
- Not need the help for 1st month rent and/or deposit
- Not be in a court-ordered eviction process or court-ordered payment plan
- Have been denied for assistance from Hennepin County
If you are interested in rent assistance, please bring the following items with you as your rent application cannot be processed without these items:
- Photo identification
- Lease or legal rental agreement
- Hennepin County denial letter for Emergency Assistance/Emergency General Assistance
- Proof of income, such as employment or any public assistance
- Late rent notice from landlord
- Document of crisis that led to back-due rent, for example but not limited to
- Receipt for emergency car repairs
- Medical report of injury and proof of income loss
- Receipt for travel expense for funeral
- Unemployment statement or termination letter
If you have additional rent assistance questions, visit the Align Minneapolis or call 612-703-9978.
Since 1995, The Basilica has worked on Habitat for Humanity houses throughout our community, helping to make the joy and stability of home ownership a reality for local families. The Basilica has partnered with Twin Cities Habitat For Humanity by sponsoring a week-long annual “work camp.” Every summer, the Basilica provides a sponsorship fee and volunteers each day for five days to work on a home. Throughout the past two decades, the Basilica team has taken part in building a variety of home types including townhomes, duplexes, and single-family dwellings.
Volunteers who participate in the “work camp” are treated to complimentary breakfast and lunch each day, provided by generous donors, and many volunteers return year after year. Basilica teams have been instrumental helping local families achieve their dream of affordable home ownership. Basilica groups have also played a significant role in assisting to re-build areas of north Minneapolis that were damaged by the devastating tornado which hit the region several years ago.
Within the Habitat “work camp” there are volunteer activities for everyone of all ages—those 16 and up are welcomed to build. No experience with construction is required—we’ll train you and you may work at your own comfort level. Anyone of any age can help to greet the builders and/or make/serve snacks or breakfast/lunch.
Prisoners or Patients? is a group of volunteers who come together to discuss issues around when the criminal justice and mental health systems connect. The group is made up of members of The Basilica’s Mental Health Ministry, its Voices of Justice Ministry, and the larger Twin Cities community. The committee has worked in partnership with NAMI-MN, Minnesota DHS, Hennepin Healthcare, Minnesota State Legislators, Amicus, Minneapolis College, and other organizations. Begun in 2017, this task force has provided educational programming, advocacy efforts, and resource development for the parish and the community at large.
In late 2019, Prisoners or Patients was charged with developing a mentor program for those leaving prison with mental health concerns. The Prisoners or Patients Mentorship Program will link mentors of The Basilica of Saint Mary in partnership with re-entering citizens identified by either the Minnesota Department of Corrections or Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation. The trained mentors will accompany the participants re-entering the community, who are struggling with mental health challenges, and who have expressed a desire for a spiritual connection. These mentors will walk with the participants and help them access resources that will decrease their isolation and assist them as they re-engage and re-connect within the community.
Monthly meetings currently take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 1:00-2:30 pm. For more information, contact Jill Severtson.
Street Voices of Change (SVoC) is a group of individuals who have current or past personal experiences with homelessness who come together to build community and make positive changes in the lives of people experiencing homelessness and the systems that contribute to and keep people in homelessness.
Weekly Meetings at The Basilica
Fridays from 8:30am-10am
Meal is from 8:30-9am. Enter at the door under the left of the grand stairs and go downstairs to the large hall.
St. Vincent de Paul Mission Statement
To develop community by providing services to our guests and by working to help all fulfill their potential. SVdP staff, volunteers, and those we serve accomplish this through the following actions and services:
- Offer emergency relief and the opportunity to build relationships in an environment of comfort, healing, faith, and hope.
- Advocate for the dignity of all by addressing the root causes of societal injustice.
- Promote the spiritual growth of everyone involved in the ministry.