The New Ulm Ministerial Association (NUMAS) has operated an emergency shelter on Center Street for single women and their children since 2016. The annual fundraiser will be held Saturday, Sept. 23.

NEW ULM — Since 2016, the New Ulm Ministerial Association (NUMAS) has provided emergency shelter and support services to 84 homeless women and 85 homeless children in the Brown County Area.

In order to continue their work, NUMAS needs to cover an operating budget. The 2023 Annual Hope Grows NUMAS Haus fundraiser is a chance to support this cause. The fundraiser is on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Turner Hall.

NUMAS Haus Executive Director Nicole Schmiesing said they hope to raise about half of NUMAS Haus’ operating income during the fundraiser. This year’s goal is $100,000. The operating income is used to provide resources and support to the women and children who stay in the house.

NUMAS Haus provides shelter for homeless women and their children for up to 90 days. The shelter house, located on Center Street, has room for three families. Each family has their own private bedroom with the rest of the house serving as a shared space.

The 90-day program helps connect families to education, resources, employment and housing within the community. The family has access to nutritional and financial education to help them remain stable long-term. After moving into their own housing, families may receive case management for up to two years to ensure long-term stability.

The services offered by NUMAS have grown significantly in the eight years since the shelter began, but the need has also grown.

“I don’t know if we are more aware of [homelessness] or if there is just a greater need,” Schmiesing said.

Currently, NUMAS Haus is full. There are five families on a waiting list to get into the house. Schmiesing said the most recent family to move into the house was camping in New Ulm during the recent heat wave.

Schmiesing said the NUMAS Haus board is planning to expand the shelter. The position of the board is until NUMAS Haus always has one room open, they are not the size they need to be for Brown County.

However, expansion is a long-term goal. The purpose of the Sept. 23 fundraiser is to cover the current operating budget. The budget covers resident support like house needs, clothing, car maintenance, or schooling needs.

Schmiesing said NUMAS receives support from Brown County. The shelter serves all of Brown County, not just New Ulm. NUMAS also receive some grants from various organization. However, most of their funding comes from local donations. The annual fundraiser typically covers the funding needed for the shelter.

“It is remarkable how much the community supports us,” Schmiesing said.

“We couldn’t do it without the community,” Shelter Coordinator Riemann said.

The fundraiser is on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Turner Hall. The event begins with a 5 p.m. social hour with the dinner to follow at 6 p.m. During the dinner, guests will hear testimonials from previous residents of NUMAS Haus. Entertainment will include a musical performance from Andrea Lyn. Lyn has written a song specifically for the fundraiser. It will be premiered during the dinner.

Tickets for the fundraiser are available at The New Ulm Chamber or purchased online through NUMAS Haus’ website https://numashaus.org.

NUMAS Haus also takes mail-in donations at P.O. Box 291, New Ulm MN 56073, or online donations through the NUMAS Haus website.