Augsburg Central Health Commons - 25 year anniversary event - Help Us Accessorize Our New Space!

Who we are

The Augsburg Central Health Commons is a free, drop-in health center dedicated to serving people in need, with a focus on hospitality for over 25 years! We offer basic health services as part of the Restoration Center at Central Lutheran Church, which is a community center for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Minneapolis. Health concerns of people who visit might include nutrition, medication, stress management, respiratory conditions, injuries, skin problems and chronic disease such as diabetes and hypertension. 

We believe in building lasting relationships with those in need so that we can collaborate together for a healthier community. Our focus is on creating a welcoming, safe space and as part of this, we provide simple necessities for health. The basic supplies we purchase or receive through donations contribute to a supportive environment for community members to access health care professionals and for nursing students to learn about the lives of people that they might not get to know in a typical clinical setting.

Central Lutheran Church is remodeling this year!  Everything but the sanctuary is being torn down and rebuilt.  The Health Commons is currently located in a temporary trailer in the parking lot of the church until construction is complete. The Health Commons will have a space in the new church building that is the Health Commons during the week and the Sunday School room on the weekends.  The new space is projected to be completed in August of 2018. 

Student Involvement

Our nursing practice is embedded in social justice praxis and transcultural nursing principles.  Our mission is to intentionally seek to honor the dignity of all our participants and focus on reducing stereotypes in our healthcare system.  Health disparities affect our local and global communities in deep ways embedded in historical context and social norms that need to be dismantled to focus on creating a more healthy, and peaceful world. Nursing faculty members and students from Augsburg College lead, organize and participate at the Augsburg Central Health Commons in hopes to create changes in our healthcare system to honor the wisdom of all people as they seek to reduce bias, increase compassion based care, and discover what it means to be a citizen nurse. 

Testimonials and Stories 2016

Working at Health Commons has been very rewarding because it strengthens the love I have for caring. It is a powerful way of getting to know people and build good relationships. My experiences at Health Common have shown me that human beings are interdependent on one another. We appreciate  and draw strength from each other. I have gotten to know this neighborhood more than I would have ever. 

Why we need you

Since its opening, the Health Commons has been supported by donations alone. Our goal this year is to expand our donation base to create a more sustainable system for funding our health center in the future. To do this, we need donors like you to help. Your monetary donation helps to purchase basic hygiene supplies such as socks, diapers, baby wipes, razors, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant and toothpaste for people living in poverty. 

Fundraising Projects 2017 - 25 year anniversary!

Purchase accessorizing items for our new space that is being built throughout this year!  We need shelves, chairs, storage units, foot basins and other items as we prepare for our new home.