Our Mission

Listening House of St. Paul is a day/evening shelter and community referral center that provides hospitality, practical assistance and counsel to people who are homeless, disadvantaged or lonely.

Our mission founders worked with homeless people in other settings, and sensed a profound loneliness felt by people who did not believe they fit in.  Their aspiration was to reach the “inner needs of the poor” by giving attention to individual stories as a way to recognize one’s value. Twenty-five years later, listening remains the cornerstone of the mission.  For many, our living room has become their place to share good news, work through a problem, or seek guidance when they don’t know where else to turn.

Yet, creating community calls for a shared responsibility.  Everyone is expected to show courteous and lawful behavior in and around the “house,” and though consequences are given for transgressions, staff and volunteers value forgiveness as well.  In most cases guests who misbehave are welcomed back following a bar from the facility, which is why guests say, “Listening House is clean on the street; if someone gets kicked out, they did something wrong because staff at Listening House respects us.”

Practical services include hygiene products, socks, clothing and other basic goods.  Referrals are made to other specialists or agencies for mental and chemical health. Some professionals visit on-site to address specialty needs of guests.  Spiritual support is offered through foot ministry, bible study, memorials and visits with volunteer clergy and others.