by Megan Nitschke

As the case manager for Welcome House, Inc., a non-profit, faith-based organization that provides shelter for those experiencing homelessness, Kriedeman has provided the way to many open doors.
Welcome House, Inc. was established in May 2004 when it was determined by community members that there were unmet needs for homeless families. The Chamber of Commerce recognized and documented this need, and in June 2004, Welcome House became a non-profit organization aiming to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families in the Bismarck-Mandan area.
One need that Welcome House meets that other homeless organizations in the community don’t allow is that it provides services for single male families and families with teenage boys.
“Initially the organization was just for single women and families,” said Nancy Kleingartner, secretary of the Welcome House, Inc. board of directors. “But the niche it fills now is that we shelter families together.”
According to Kriedeman and Kleingartner, the features Welcome House provides grew with the demanding need.
As an organization that launched without building services, Welcome House started and continues to work with hotels in the Bismarck-Mandan area to provide housing for their clients.
“When you’re working with families of different ages, sexes and races, I don’t see how you can put them all in the same shelter,” Kriedeman said. “In order to do that one needs separate units.”
The rented rooms they supply to individuals and families are given to them at a reduced rate, so the expenses remain more inexpensive than the price of shelters.
Kriedeman, who served as the interim director for the Salvation Army shelter in Mandan before it closed down about 6 years ago, works with the clients to find housing within 90 days of their hotel check-in, but within the week, she requires them to seek services, such as health care agencies and food stamps.
“To step out of homelessness you have to do the steps, and sometimes that requires one to apply for services,” Kriedeman said.
While the families are staying in the motel, they get a microwave and small fridge. The food pantry initiated by the organization in 2009 stocks items useful for cooking in the designated housing, and works as a grocery store for the clients.
“We let the clients go through the pantry and actually take the things that they need,” Kriedeman said. “I think they find that almost comforting.”
With a strength-based mission centering on what works best for each client, Welcome House paved the way for 273 different people last year which resulted in 2,900 nights of shelter for those seeking a way out of homelessness.
But the help doesn’t stop for the clients after immediate assistance. Welcome House remains a valuable connection to those who need their support for three years. This includes everything from talking about a problem and making a referral to helping those who are on the verge of becoming homeless again, according to Kriedeman and Kleingartner.
“Welcome House believes it is important to provide extended case management services to families for up to three years,” Kleingartner said.
Starting only six years ago, Welcome House, Inc. has grown immensely and branched out their services. Kleingartner, who was Kriedeman’s student adviser while she was attending the University of Mary, serves as the Program Director of Social Work at the University of Mary. She got involved with Welcome House through the University of Mary’s Emerging Leaders Academy when her and three of her students became intrigued by the organization’s activities and joined the board of directors.
Kriedeman also got involved with Welcome House early in its stages and continues to encourage the clients and motivate those interested in moving on with their life.
“We try to encourage them to move on,” Kriedeman said. “The point it so start a life for oneself and help them be productive. It doesn’t take courage to do what I do, it takes courage for them to come in and see us.”
Welcome House is always looking for volunteers and donations to keep their organization running strong. But at the heart of the organization is the will of the clients and their belief in bettering their lives.
“By recognizing their strengths and accomplishments, they see themselves as more capable,” Kleingartner said. “We believe that one’s faith should drive good works.”