Dear Friends of Normandale House,
Summer has brought new beginnings, joyful connection, and hopeful momentum at Normandale House—and we couldn’t have done it without you.
🏠A Warm Welcome For A New Family
In June, we welcomed a new family into our community: a single mother and her two beautiful daughters. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase beds and bedding for the girls and a new bed frame for mom, household items, and a well-stocked fridge for their first week.
Your swift response made their transition smoother and their new space feel like home.As they settle in, we’re still in search of two gently used items:
- A small kitchen table (no longer than 5 feet, ideally with removable legs for easier moving).
- A modular or futon-style couch that can be easily carried up in sections to the third floor through narrow hallways with sharp turns (think IKEA-style).
If you have something that might work, please email me a photo at pwerley@normandalehouse.org, so the family can see if it fits their style and space.If you’d rather contribute financially toward a new sofa, donations can be made on our website—just note it’s for the “sofa fund” by shooting me an email (click on the green link) so I can direct the funds appropriately.
Click Here to Donate Today.
⛳ Community Fun at Lilli Putt
Just this past week, we hosted a community outing to Lilli Putt where families, volunteers, and staff enjoyed mini-golf, go-karts, bumper boats, and pizza.
We asked silly “get to know you” questions like “What’s your favorite color?” and “If you could have ice cream with any famous person—living, deceased, or fictional—who would it be?”
There was laughter all around, and Liam scored the only hole-in-one of the day—congrats to him! You may recognize our very own Liam from Normandale Lutheran Church, where he often serves as an acolyte. If you see him at church, be sure to congratulate him on his hole-in-one!
While the parents and care teams gathered to share joys and challenges, our program director, Desiree, first led us in a short devotional.
Meanwhile, I and five amazing volunteers from Normandale Lutheran Church——rode the rides with the kids over and over again. Despite the poor air quality that day, the smiles and connections made it all worth it.
Watch for an upcoming article in the 75 stories newsletter, featuring Normandale House—we’ll be sharing about the families we serve and the impact this community makes. I’m interviewing two of our families and look forward to sharing their voices in the September issue.
A Fresh Start: Freedom from Predatory Lending
As part of our early discussions with Lutheran Social Services (LSS)about a potential partnership for future case management at Normandale House, we connected with their Financial Services team. LSS brings decades of experience and the infrastructure to support individuals and families navigating housing instability, financial stress, and emotional or mental health challenges.
One of the families we support was facing a deeply challenging situation prior to arriving at Normandale House. In a moment of crisis, this young mother turned to two predatory lenders—with an interest rate so staggering it made long-term repayment nearly impossible. These loans contributed directly to the financial instability that ultimately left her at risk of losing her housing.
With the support of our Normandale House care team, who attended the LSS meeting with her, she was able to explore alternative solutions and resources. LSS helped her identify a sustainable path to pay off the loans and dramatically reduce her monthly expenses.
Beyond the significant financial relief, this experience restored her confidence and sense of control. She described it as a “fresh start”—and a moment that gave her hope for the future.
👟 Back-to-School Support
Thanks to you, we’re seeing wonderful progress with the Shoes That Fit and Back-to-School programs, supporting students not only at Normandale House, but across ministries like ACT-TC and SAYFSM.
This is the final week to sign up, so if you’d like to help provide new shoes and school supplies to help kids start the year with confidence, please email Kim Sannerud for more details.
Additionally, two of our Normandale House families need help purchasing school uniforms for their children who attend Hope Academy. You’ll find information about that opportunity from Kim as well.
Looking Ahead
Behind the scenes, our board has been actively touring properties as we continue our search for the next home for Normandale House. There’s a strong sense of hope and forward momentum.
We’re also growing our vision for the future—and if you’re interested in shaping that future, consider joining our board. Help us define new strategies for:
- Volunteer engagement
- Property management and oversight using a management company
- Case management in partnership with a third-party provider
This is an exciting time of transformation—and you can help us deepen our impact. To learn more contact Pam at pwerley@normandalehouse.org or call 612-865-0339
With gratitude for all the ways you walk alongside us,
With appreciation,
Pam Werley, Desiree Emanuel and Jeff Huggett