Union Gospel Mission leader spends 24 hours on a bench to spotlight homelessness
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
The CEO of a Twin Cities church spent 24 hours sitting on a bench to raise awareness about homelessness in Minnesota.
Union Gospel Misson Twin Cities CEO Pam Stegora Axberg kicked off Conversations on a Bench, a 24-hour livestream event, Thursday afternoon.
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is one over 50 ministries taking part in this national initiative by Citygate Network, an organization working to unite ministries across North America in its mission to end homelessness. They are the only participating ministry from Minnesota.
“Our real goal is to educate our community around the causes and the solutions around homelessness,” Stegora Axberg said.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
More than 40 Twin Cities community leaders and partners pulled up a seat with Stegora Axberg. Her round-the-clock dialogue started with Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and ended with Ecolab CEO Christophe Beck.
Heading into the colder months, Stegora Axberg said she’s worried they have not yet found a solution for warming spaces in the Twin Cities.
“It is important for all of us, non-profits, local governments and congregations, to work together and proactively ensure that all unsheltered Minnesotans will have somewhere safe and warm to stay protected from the dangerous elements this winter,” Stegora Axberg said in a statement.
Over 9,000 people in Minnesota were homeless on a single night last January, according to a study from the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness.
“What I’ve learned is everyone has a strong commitment to making our community better,” Stegora Axberg said. “We are united in that.”
