Sharing and Caring Hands History
Sharing and Caring Hands was founded in 1985 by Mary Jo Copeland of Minneapolis. Before 1985 Mary Jo had been a regular volunteer with an organization that help the poor. She was an innovator in this work, especially in the area of organizing outside volunteers to help. In spite of her best efforts, however, Mary had been often been frustrated with the bureaucratic nature of the organizations and she saw many who needed help slipping through the cracks. In 1985 she was recognized for her volunteer service by local TV station KARE as one of their "Eleven who Care."

With a $2,200 stipend that came with the award she was determined to begin her own outreach to the homeless and the poorest of the poor. Her plan was to provide services through volunteers, to give local churches and organizations an opportunity to serve. To provide charity with a human face, with true compassion.

Sharing and Caring Hands first location on Glenwood Ave on the edge of downtown Minneapolis.

A place where the poor and homeless could clean themselves and maintain their dignity has always been a part of our mission.

She located a storefront on Glenwood Avenue in a tough area of downtown Minneapolis and convinced her husband to personally sign for a three-year lease. She put a sign in the window "Sharing and Caring Hands." It was a gamble. Mary Jo then embarked on a campaign of preaching to church congregations at their Sunday services. Her message was and is "unconditional love", following the biblical injunction, "Love one another as I have loved you." People were inspired to help and the donations came in. She set up showers and a free clothing store in the basement of her building. Mary Jo bought gloves, mittens and shoes to supplement the donated clothing in the Free Store. Her vision was to give everything to the poor. No one was paid a salary, not even herself.

In 1988 city redevelopment plans forced the shelter to move. That necessitated the first purchase of property. Sharing and Caring Hands bought its first building about a half mile away from the original rented property. The building cost $225,000 and $250,000 was spent to remodel it. The new facility had a beautiful new kitchen with walk-in refrigerator and freezer space, much more room for eating and a Free Store. It was bulging at the seams almost immediately, and the clientele changed from predominantly male street transients to mothers with little ones.

Our second location greatly expanded our ability to serve. It also brought more mothers and children to our attention

Even in the earliest days Mary washed the feet of those in need. New shoes and socks are also provided if necessary.

In 1990 she added onto the facility, nearly doubling the size. The expansion cost about $500,000, all paid for by private donations - no public money was involved at any time. Her concern was that public money would bring public control. 1992 brought the biggest project yet. Due to changes in government policy the need for transitional housing for the homeless was great. Often times Mary was putting those in need in hotels and motels at great expense.

Mary's Place, Transitional Housing was dedicated in 1995 and expanded in 2000. It's 92 apartments can
accomodate over 500 needy people. For a tour of Mary's Place, click on images above.

Sharing and Caring Hands bought 5.3 acres of land adjacent their building to build apartments to shelter the poor. At first the city council refused the permits necessary for the apartments to be built. Mary Jo called her friends in the media - columnists and editorialists lined up in her corner. She hired a lawyer who threatened to sue the city. It didn't take long and Mary Jo had her permits. The land cost $1,050,000 and the building and furnishings cost $6,500,000. The project was built entirely with private money. The facility was finished in 1995. It is named Mary's Place in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary's Place was expanded in 2000 at a cost of $6,000,000.00. Thirty six family units were added in the completed expansion. These are transitional apartments, planned to carry people until they find permanent homes. The 92 apartment units caused a change in policy. For the first time Sharing and Caring Hands needed to hire some full time people. But even this was just a step along the way. Mary's vision was expanding to fit the greater needs she found.

Mary's place provides a safe place for children in a world that can seem very cruel at times.

The day shelter was bulging at the seams. The corporation purchased land across the street and proceeded to build a new day shelter - 27,000 square feet as compared to less than 10,000 in the original facility. This increased capital expenditures by $4,500,000. It gave larger and better facilities in all areas - kitchen, eating area, clothing store, food shelf, medical, dental, office and elbowroom. The new Day Shelter opened in 1997.

In 1998, the remodeling of the original day shelter was started. The ground floor is now a Teen Center with numerous wholesome activities and the second floor is devoted to a children's activity center for young children. The remodeling for this building cost $500,000. The building is called Mary My Hope Children's Center.

Mary Jo was and is the main fundraiser, the recruiter of volunteers and director of the shelter. Mary Jo has recruited church groups to buy, prepare, bring in and serve the noon meal each day. She has a different group for each day of the month. This system has been in place since the first days of Sharing and Caring Hands. Some of the original groups are still serving today.

So what does the future hold? Mary Jo subscribes to the philosophy expressed by Pope John XXIII, who considered himself the servant of the servants of God. Ever since the transitional housing center, Mary's Place opened, it has been at capacity. Mary's faith is wondrous to behold. Sometimes when she articulates her plans and desires, the Board of Directors roll their eyes and caution her to go slowly. She responds that "God will provide," and He does.

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