May 23, 2016

Tim Marx, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis:

“Catholic Charities is, of course, disappointed that the legislature did not authorize funding for the new Dorothy Day Opportunity Center and additional housing in the recently completed session. An historic public-private partnership has been established to build the Center, and nearly $32 million of private dollars have been raised to support it. The new Center will provide help and hope to some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens.

“In spite of this setback, we remain confident that Minnesotans will come together to support this project, and Catholic Charities will stay the course and work with its many partners to finish the job. We are very thankful for the support we have received so far—both private and public, including from the Governor, legislative leadership, and from the bipartisan and statewide support at the legislature. The continued success of this public-private partnership is critical to this transformational project.

“The new Dorothy Day Opportunity Center is an integrated two-phase effort. The first phase of the new Dorothy Day Center—Higher Ground St. Paul—will open this December. Construction on the second phase—the Dorothy Day Opportunity Center and additional housing—was scheduled to begin next spring and be complete in December 2018. Both phases are critical to the impact and success of this project, and to ensure there is not a disruption of critically needed shelter and services.

“We stand ready to work with lawmakers to advance this critical project.”

More information about the New Vision for the Dorothy Day Center is available at www.DorothyDayCampaign.org.