Theresa Living Center Provides Critical Housing Support for East Side Women

Theresa Living Center helps women and single-parent families move from homelessness to stability and self-sufficiency. Our general operating support helped increase onsite programming and case management staffing.

Founded in 1987 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Theresa Living Center’s (TLC) mission is to provide transitional/rapid re-housing opportunities for women and single parent families who are striving to reclaim self-dignity and economic independence following a period of homelessness.

The residential program, located in the former convent of St. Casmir’s Catholic Church, provides housing for 16 women who are single, pregnant, or with a child under the age of one year. They receive case management services to help them determine the resources they need to achieve self-sufficiency—such as rental assistance, transportation, counseling and medical care, job training and employment opportunities, and access to information and referrals. Participants may stay in the program for up to two years.

The Caroline Family Services program provides case management services and rental assistance to 30 single-parent families and their children living in their own apartments in Ramsey County, including Saint Paul. The families usually consist of two or more children (of any age), and program services are provided for up to two years.

Over the last 35+ years, over 830+ single women and children have been served. When scattered sites are added, more than 612 households and 1,185 individuals were served with case management and rental subsidies.

Under new leadership in 2022, TLC improved its financial situation, increased program services that lead to better self-sufficiency outcomes, increased program and case management staff, and began upgrading facilities. The organization retains its close ties to the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who continue to provide financial support and volunteer work, including service on the board of directors. A new 3-year strategic plan was adopted for 2024-2026.

Rooted Philanthropic has provided three years of general operating support to help sustain and grow TLC’s critical services for women.

“Rooted Philanthropic’s unwavering support has not only been a beacon of hope for Theresa Living Center but a catalyst for transformative change. Through their generous funding, single-parent families in East Saint Paul are not just recipients of financial assistance; they are empowered individuals on a journey toward sustainable independence. Theresa Living Center now pioneers in-house workshops, providing invaluable tools and support to single women facing homelessness. Together, Rooted Philanthropic and Theresa Living Center are nurturing resilience, and cultivating a brighter future for those who need it most.”  Angie Hays, Executive Director

Photos courtesy of Theresa Living Center.