Jonathan House (IAFR)

Description

Asylum seekers come to the US seeking protection from persecution or human rights violations. They come from the most troubled regions of the world in hope of finding safety and a normal life. While completing the years-long asylum process, they face many material challenges, the greatest one being the ability to find stable housing.

Up to 20,000 refugees are currently seeking asylum in our state; no other Minnesota organization focuses specifically on asylum seeker housing.

Jonathan House extends shelter, hope, and healing to asylum-seekers in Minneapolis/St. Paul. We offer supportive housing, strategic connections, practical assistance, and a welcoming community with a desire to help our new friends recover from forced displacement and begin to rebuild their lives.

Jonathan House currently accommodates thirteen asylum seekers at three sites. Jonathan House guests receive shelter for an average of 1-2 years and partner with IAFR staff to create a personalized "roadmap" for rebuilding their life.

In the Bible, Jonathan helped his friend David "find strength in God" while he was a political refugee (1 Samuel 23:16). At Jonathan House, we want every asylum seeker to experience that they are seen, heard, and cared for by God. We do so through compassionate accompaniment, knowing that in relationship with our asylum-seeking neighbors, we ourselves will be encouraged and transformed.