 Donate to the Saint Paul Bridge Fund by clicking the photo above.
The City of Saint Paul is looking to our community to help us expand our impact. Any contribution amount helps a family in need.
When you give here, you join the many generous donors working together to provide relief to vulnerable families and small businesses in our city significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of it's members." -Coretta Scott King
Not everyone can donate money and there are other ways to help. A lot of the resources and messages sent out by the city need to be spread wider. Can you help us share information that you feel is important for others to have? Do you have neighbors, friends and community members that could use city resources, like the Language Resource Line? Or can you volunteer?
 FOR YOUTH
A limited number of beds are available now through Monday, April 27 for unsheltered youth who are ages 18-24. To request a room, youth can call the Salvation Army Shelter Line 10 a.m. -10 p.m. any day of the week at 651-444-5757.
FOR FAMILIES
Families with at least one minor child in need of emergency shelter should call 211, the United Way's Helpline and Crisis Line, for a prescreen at 651-291-0211. If a family is currently unsheltered, they can also call Ramsey County's Homeless Services Team directly during business hours at 651-266-7818.
Shelter space is reserved for Ramsey County families with minor children. To determine eligibility, call the United Way at 651-291-0211.
FOR FOLKS NEEDING A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP
For those experiencing domestic violence, Day One Services may be able to help find a safe place for families while fleeing abuse. Call Day One Services at 1-866-223-1111.
There is an Anti-Violence Program at OutFront Minnesota, a program working with LGBTQ+ victims/survivors of relationship abuse. Their services remain open (remotely), and we have trained advocates available to provide support, talk through options and listen.
They can be reached at 612-822-0127 option 3, 800-800-0350 OR if talking isn't safe right now, you can email us at advocate@outfront.org.
Families who are sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation (streets, car, camping, public transit, etc.) or staying at a domestic violence shelter and are looking for supportive housing can call 651-215-2262.
Today, the Saint Paul City Council heard the second reading of Ordinance 20-16 which creates significant restrictions around the purchase and sale of detached catalytic converters. Catalytic converters are the devices incorporated in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, containing a catalyst (precious metals) for converting pollutant gases into less harmful ones. The ordinance addresses the increase of catalytic converter thefts.
“Catalytic thefts can deeply impact the financial stability of the victim at a time when we need everyone to be stable and safe,” said Council President Amy Brendmoen. “The cost for replacement of a catalytic converter can be more than $1,000 to $2,000.”
In 2014 there were 45 reported thefts of catalytic converters, which climbed to reported cases 345 in 2019. The highest increase was in 2018 and 2019, there was an increase of over 200 reported cases.
“Thefts of converters can happen in 30 seconds,” said Saint Paul Police Senior Commander John Bandemer. “Given the number of cars on residential streets right now, swift and direct response is timely.”
“This licensing requirement provides an additional tool for our city to protect residents and visitors from catalytic converter theft,” said Department of Safety and Inspections Director Ricardo Cervantes.
“Because detached converters cannot be sold or purchased, it eliminates the market demand in Saint Paul. Catalytic converter legislation will be most effective as a statewide effort and we know there are bills in motion at the Legislature,” Brendmoen added. “But these thefts have reached a point where we can wait no longer; we are moving ahead. We encourage other municipalities to do the same.”
The ordinance prohibits the sale or purchase of a used catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle. The exception to this ordinance is bonafide Auto Repair Garage, whose license permits the installation, replacement, maintenance, or removal of catalytic converters. The ordinance will be a requirement of the business license.
To access the full ordinance language visit https://stpaul.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
This information isn't meant to push people further into fear. While this moment in time is uncertain, the information on the website is to help connect you to the facts.
Sir Patrick Stewart has been reading a sonnet a day. Who knew Professor X was such an orator?
Wash your hands, stay at home and don't forget to find ways to connect with one another. We are in this together.
Hang in there everyone.
Click the photo below to watch him read Sonnet #12.
 
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