(Update: Wednesday, October 30) – We are excited about the upcoming transition of Safe Space to Central Baptist Church. Due to unexpected delays in the delivery of some equipment needed and construction activities needed to complete the renovation of the new space into an overnight shelter, the relocation will now take place on Tuesday, Nov. 12 instead of Monday, Nov. 4.
Thank you to our partners and community for patience and understanding as we work to create a welcoming and supportive new space for staff and overnight shelter guests. We invite you to continue to monitor our website where we will post any additional updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
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(Saint Paul, MN – Wednesday, October 2) – After months of searching and navigating unforeseen challenges, Model Cities is proud to announce that a new location has been secured for Safe Space Shelter at Central Baptist Church in St. Paul located at 420 North Roy Street, St. Paul. This pivotal milestone comes after a call was put out to community earlier this summer for help after another relocation partnership fell through leaving the future of Safe Space and those that relied upon its services unknown.
“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with Central Baptist Church,” said Model Cities CEO Kizzy Downie. “Their support has been instrumental in making this relocation possible. This collaboration embodies the strength of community and shared compassion for our fellow neighbors experiencing crisis.”
Safe Space Shelter is a referral-based overnight shelter operated by Model Cities. Safe Space is open year-round 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. All guests require reservations. Reservations are made by the Ramsey County’s Shelter Entry & Diversion Team. Community partners or people in need of emergency shelter can contact the team for assistance. Unlike long-term shelters, guests do not store belongings at Safe Space, and reservations need to be made through the referral system for each overnight stay. Through this model, Safe Space is just one shelter solution bridging the gap between homelessness and housing stability offering a safe place to rest, refocus, and have a better tomorrow.
Safe Space launched in 2019 by Model Cities as a year-round shelter with support by Ramsey County. In 2023, the partners began to seek a new location for Safe Space as the county finalized plans to close the Government Center East building and prepare it for sale. Unfortunately, the new location agreement fell through at the last minute leaving Safe Space to turn to community for assistance.
Fortunately, the call for help was answered by Central Baptist Church. Central Baptist Church had already been providing winter warming space for community in need and the congregation had expressed interest in expanding their emergency shelter services as they saw the critical need grow.
“We are truly excited to partner with Model Cities on this new chapter for Safe Space,” said Pastor Craig Dahl. “Our mission calls us to serve those in need, and this collaboration is another way we can directly support individuals experiencing homelessness. Together, we can help restore hope and dignity to those who need it most.”
With temperatures starting to turn cooler, Safe Space and Central Baptist are eager to launch their new partnership. The new partnership will begin on Monday, November 4 with Safe Space officially starting services at Central Baptist Church. Final services at Government East will conclude on Sunday, November 3. Model Cities does not have staff or funding to operate in both locations at the same time so the transition will take place overnight with ample communications to guests and partners done in advance.
Initially, Safe Space at Central Baptist will be able to provide 25 overnight beds to women. Model Cities and Central Baptist are proactively working with the city of St. Paul to increase that to 64 beds so they will be able to return to offering overnight beds to all gender identities at the same capacity as the former location. During the transition, Ramsey County’s Shelter Entry & Diversion Team will assist community in need to find alternative shelter options through the referral system.
More information is available on the Model Cities website including information on how to donate and volunteer.
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For media inquiries contact, Genesia Williams: genesia@genesiadoingthings.com, 612-205-7531
