Jonathan House

Jonathan House (jonathanhouse.org) extends shelter, hope, and healing to asylum-seekers in the Twin Cities area. We offer supportive housing, strategic connections, practical assistance, and a welcoming community with a desire to help our new friends recover from forced displacement and begin to rebuild their lives.

Jonathan House currently accommodates thirteen asylum seekers at three sites. Jonathan House guests receive shelter for an average of 1–2 years and partner with staff from the International Association for Refugees to create a personalized “roadmap” for rebuilding their lives in Minnesota.

St. Matthew’s members who are interested in providing supportive community to asylum-seeking neighbors are encouraged to join an accompaniment team. These teams consist of 3–5 individuals or families who are interested in volunteering together to welcome a new resident, offer supportive friendship, and assist in helping residents get access to community resources, such as food, clothing, health care, English classes, transportation, and other needs. Men are especially encouraged to participate, since the new residents at this time will be at the men’s house. Volunteers will make a one-year commitment, during which they will check in with or visit the resident two or more times a month, and communicate regularly with each other and Jonathan House staff.

In the Bible, Jonathan helped his friend David “find strength in God” while he was a political refugee (1 Samuel 23:16). At Jonathan House, we want every asylum seeker to experience that they are seen, heard, and cared for by God. We do so through compassionate accompaniment, knowing that in relationship with our asylum-seeking neighbors, we ourselves will be encouraged and transformed.