NUMAS acquired the former church in January, and they are expanding their shelter and services into this location.

The NUMAS Haus provides shelter and support services to homeless women and children, NUMAS Haus located in New Ulm, serves Brown County. As of February, the shelter has fostered 92 children and 88 women.

NUMAS Haus Executive Director Nicole Schmiesing said Wednesday’s event was to raise awareness of the project and show the public their plans to renovate each room in the former church to fit as a living space for up to five families.

“In the upstairs we’re looking at three to five additional bedrooms, and two of them will be expanded like a hotel,” Schmiesing said. “So we will be able to accommodate larger families with the expansion of the joining doors.”

Project Manager of Capital Campaign and owner of marketing firm Twin River Strategy, Andrea Lynn, stands in front of remodeling blueprints at future NUMAS Haus.

Schmiesing said that the project was blessed to have community support, with a good staff and employees. She also praised those in Brown County for their support and partnership with the First United Methodist Church, who gifted the building.

“Our biggest obstacle will be raising enough funds so we can move forward with what the building is intended,” Schmiesing said.

NUMAS’s goal is to raise $1.1 million, and Schmiessing said that they are currently at half of that goal.

“That would include a community space in the sanctuary, and a play space for the kiddos,” Schmiesing said. “In the basement we have a gathering space in the stage area, and that will remain largely unchanged. Then we have two additional, larger rooms that would ideally be turned into studio apartments.”

The NUMAS Haus has two full-time employees, one part-time and two quarter time employees. The project has ten volunteers, with an upcoming volunteer orientation planned for those who are interested in contributing to the project.

Rhonda Froehling shares the new NUMAS space with Cleo Bolduan who was a former congregation member of the First United Methodist Church.

“We are always in need of volunteers,” Schmiesing said. “Particularly those who can help with transportation.”

NUMAS Haus Project Manager of Capitol Campaign, Andrea Lynn was on hand to inform the public of the new expansion, and to look for support to grow the NUMAS Haus.

“We have raised $482,000, and have found fairly significant donors that have been with us for a long time, and have been very generous in their giving,” Lynn said. “So now we are looking to the community for more private donors to be able to get to our goal.”

The former First United Methodist Church needs significant renovations to make it a home for families in need.

“All of the things we want are for the women and children to stay,” Lynn said. “It takes a very significant input of money. We’ve been very blessed with significant donations from private donors. Now we are going to the public to ask for support for the cause.”

Lynn said that since she began collaborating in January, they’ve been able to move forward with the project.

“We’ve been able to grow a campaign that tells everybody what the need is,” Lynn said. “They are willing to come forward, and do a strategic plan to be thoughtful and intentional with the money raised. It’s exactly what the NUMAS Haus needs to fit more families through the doors.”

Lynn said, what sets NUMAS Haus apart from other shelters is the programming of transitional housing, education and support, creating a sense of independence from past negative circumstances.

“The residents go through a 90-day program that teaches parenting, pretty much the fundamentals of transitioning back from homelessness, and there’s support a few years after that. There is actually case management for two years, which is huge,” Lynn said.

Detailed information and methods of donating can be found via their website at numashaus.org or their Facebook page.