When Tom (not his real name) walked through our doors, the weight of months of uncertainty hung heavy on him. After losing his long-term job at the University of Minnesota due to budget cuts, he had done everything he could to provide for his wife and three children – including a young daughter battling leukemia. But with no income and no food left at home, hope was dwindling.

When Sophie (not her real name) arrived at Jericho Road Ministries, she carried nothing but the clothes she was wearing. She had fled a violent, abusive situation and, to escape safely, had been forced to leave everything behind. Shaken and unsure where to turn next, she simply asked for help getting to relatives who could offer shelter and protection.

It was the middle of winter, when Hannah (not her real name) walked into Jericho Road Ministries. For nearly two years she had been homeless with three young children – just 2, 5, and 7 years old – after being evicted.

They were currently living in one of the Twin Cities tent encampments…