Special Thanks to Valley Community Presbyterian Church — October 13, 2021

Recently we sat down with church members Jim Cook and Jan Sacco to talk about how their organization has stepped up in various ways over the years to support residents at Clare Terrace, one of Clare Housing’s four apartment buildings.

Valley was there at the beginning! Even before Clare Terrace opened in 2015, Jan and a team of 6 other volunteers put together Welcome Baskets for each of the new residents containing kitchenware, plates, towels, and other essentials. For our residents, many of whom are coming out of homelessness, these baskets make an empty apartment a welcoming home.

Since then, the baskets have kept coming! Last year, Jan dropped one of them off and got to meet the new resident who received it. He was thrilled to learn that the towels and sheets just happened to be his favorite colors — blue and gray. “He said ‘I love this, this is great!'” Jan shared later, “It felt very well-matched.”

The Valley is one of many religious and community groups that support our residents! Over the years, they’ve done a number of wonderful things like community dinners, bingo nights, and more. When asked why church members support Clare Housing in this way, Jim Cook said, “Supporting people in crisis abroad is important, but we won’t leap over the people at our doorstep. People don’t know how much joy they miss when they don’t become good neighbors.

“That’s why we do it, and that’s why we will continue to do it. We look forward to the day when we can begin hosting community meals again. We miss connecting in person!”

Thanks so much to Valley Community Presbyterian Church for their continued partnership. You too can find ways to conduct drives, volunteer and support residents as a group or an individual at HandsOn Twin Cities.