Beyond New Beginnings seeks support for second fourplex, highlights program outcomes

Jill Angus Beck, founder of Beyond New Beginnings, and Molly Quipmacki, executive director of Beyond New Beginnings, told the City of Chaska City Council on Feb. 24 that the organization operates a supportive-housing program for young mothers and their children and is pursuing a second fourplex downtown to expand capacity.

The program offers transitional housing and wraparound services — parenting classes, education and job training, childcare and mentoring — and uses a rent model in which families pay about 30% of household income, council members were told. "Our main goal is to provide loving foundation," Jill Angus Beck said, describing Monday-night group programming and services such as financial literacy, nutrition and mental-health support.

The nut graf: Beyond New Beginnings presented program results and an outline of a proposed second fourplex after the group that runs the program received a donated fourplex and launched operations in Chaska. Speakers said the program has a high rate of self-sufficiency among graduates and is pursuing additional funding and partners to replicate or expand the model.

Molly Quipmacki, the program's executive director, said five current residents have enrolled in community college and that the program aims to move mothers toward stable work and independent housing after one to two years in the program. "We are not about sympathy," Quipmacki said. "The moms that come to us are inspirational and motivational."

Bob Ratke of Community Asset Foundation described the foundation's role as a prospective funder and said the foundation expects to contribute roughly $80,000 toward a $1.1 million finance plan discussed for a proposed second fourplex; the land was described as donated in planning discussions. Ratke also said state-level incentive programs are being used in preliminary fundraising plans.

Council members asked whether the program serves Chaska residents only. Quipmacki said the program principally serves the Twin Cities metro area and Scott and Carver counties but is not strictly limited by geography.

Why it matters: Council members and staff framed the project as leveraging local partnerships and one-time and ongoing funding streams to increase affordable, supportive housing capacity for a narrowly defined vulnerable population: young, single mothers and their children. Council members expressed support and asked for follow-up as plans and financing firms become firm.

The presentation included two fundraising notes: the organization is part of a Minnesota St. Paul Foundation pilot grant and Community Asset Foundation has begun pledge work toward a larger fundraising goal. Council members and staff thanked the presenters and encouraged continued collaboration on site selection and funding next steps.

Ending: Beyond New Beginnings said it will return with a concept plan and additional funding details as the partners finalize site options and budgets.