Dear Friends of Normandale House,
As summer begins, we have so much to celebrate — and even more to look forward to. Your continued support has made it possible for families at Normandale House to end the school year strong, step into new opportunities, and feel deeply cared for by this incredible community.
Searching for a New Home, Together
We remain in active pursuit of a new property that will allow us to expand our mission and impact. We are grateful to Charlie Mitchell, Vice President of our Board, who continues to lead the way in securing support for this exciting next chapter.
Thanks to Charlie’s leadership — and the generosity of so many of you — we’ve now reached $950,000 in commitments toward our future. We are so thankful for each of you who have chosen to invest in what comes next.
Once we find the right location, the pace will move quickly. To prepare, we are seeking 5–6 new board members who can help shape and steward this next phase. We especially welcome those with experience in:
- Property and facilities management
- Congregational and community engagement
- Social services and case management oversight
If you or someone you know feels called to join us in this work, please reach out — we’d love to connect. Email Pam Werley: pwerley@normandalehouse.org
Happenings at Normandale House
With the school year behind us, our seven school-aged children are entering summer on a positive note — most are enrolled in Hope Academy’s summer program for the month of June. We’re excited to see them stay active, keep learning, and continue building friendships.
Thanks to the generosity of several supporters, one of our older youth is participating in a local caddy program — a chance to connect with new mentors, earn income, and, if all goes well, become eligible for a full college scholarship that covers tuition and housing.
Your donations helped outfit her with the shoes and gear she needs to walk the course with confidence. Thank you for helping her take this meaningful first step.
A recent highlight was when Desiree, our Program Director, brought this young caddy, her mother, their volunteer care team, and board member Charlie Mitchell together for a fun and meaningful planning session. With Charlie’s deep knowledge of the caddie program, he was able to answer questions and offer encouragement. After sharing a meal of Jersey Mike’s subs, we broke the ice with a round of Two Truths and a Lie — led by Pam Werley — that had us all laughing and guessing. It was a beautiful moment of connection, clarity, and care.
Volunteers Make the Difference
Volunteers Make the Difference
Special thanks to Deb Stortz and Diane Lindquist, who will begin offering one-on-one reading support to one of our young learners entering third grade this fall.
Through a generous donation, he’ll be attending a summer reading program — and with Deb and Diane’s help, he’ll get the extra attention he needs to feel confident and prepared. And to the Humphrey family, thank you for the gift of a second TV to one of our families — it brought immediate joy and smiles to their home.
Looking Ahead: A Family Fun Night
Later this summer, we plan to gather all of our families, care teams, and staff for a Family Fun Night — an evening of food, laughter, play, and shared celebration. These gatherings help us deepen relationships and mark the progress families are making in their journeys. We look forward to sharing more soon!
A Gift of Hope For the Future
This month, we also want to recognize a powerful act of generosity from a group known as The 12 Joes — a small circle of men who meet regularly to encourage one another and live out their faith through meaningful giving.
One of our families was thoughtfully chosen by this group to receive a Gift of Hope — a financial blessing set aside in a savings account, to be available when they transition to permanent housing. It is a quiet but powerful vote of confidence in their future, and a reminder that they are not walking this journey alone.
Thank you for being part of this work. Your prayers, presence, and support continue to transform lives — helping families at Normandale House feel seen, supported, and set up for success.
With appreciation,
Pam Werley, Desiree Emanuel and Jeff Huggett