Mary Jo Copeland's Faith-Filled Mission: At a Glance
Compassionate Care
Saving Body & Soul outlines the story of Mary Jo Copeland, often called "America's Mother Teresa" and heralded by everyone from street people to President Bush, as she touches the lives of more than 1,600 poor people a day at her Sharing & Caring Hands outreach on the edge of downtown Minneapolis.
Since 1985, Mary Jo has grown a $2,200 philanthropy prize from a local television station into a $4 million outreach program for the poor that engages the help of more than 1,000 volunteers each year. Following is a brief description of Mary Jo's gifts to the community EACH MONTH through her leadership:
• More than 25,000 visitors are touched by Mary Jo's services;
• More than 600 feet are washed at Sharing & Caring Hands;
• Over 20,000 meals are served to the hungry;
• Approximately 200 pairs of new shoes are provided to the needy;
• Over 500 adults and children are housed in transitional apartments;
• More than $9,000 worth of shoes and clothing are donated to the needy;
• Over 2,000 special requests are granted, including rent support, bus tokens and hygiene product donations;
• More than 500 people receive medical and/or dental care;
• Approximately 1,000 people take advantage of showering facilities;
• More than 8,000 people receive donated food and clothing;
• Over $300,000 is dedicated to meet the needs of the poor each month.
A History of Sharing
After the last of her 12 children began school in 1981, Mary Jo started volunteering at Catholic Charities' downtown Minneapolis program for the poor. Following is a brief outline of Mary Jo's more than twenty years of community-building and selfless giving:
• In 1985, using prize money for her work with the poor, she opened a homeless drop-in shelter, Sharing & Caring Hands, in a humble north Minneapolis storefront;
• In 1988, Mary Jos shelter building was condemned by the city to build a sports arena. With donations from supporters, she was able to purchase a building a few blocks away;
• In 1995, Mary Jo opened Mary's Place transitional apartments as a place for those in need to rest their souls and get a chance to turn their lives around;
• In 1997, she built a 227,000 square foot building to house her outreach, which includes serving meals and providing medical and dental care, clothing, food, showers and Mary Jo's one-on-one care;
• In 1998, Mary Jo converted the old outreach building into the Children's Activity Center and Teen Center, a safe place for the kids living in the transitional apartments;
• In 2000, Target Foundation made a $3 million contribution towards a children's home, a $30 million residence and educational center still in the planning stages that will house more than 160 orphaned and at-risk children.
Awards and Accolades
Mary Jo Copeland has received many awards and commendations, including:
• Norman Vincent Peale Unsung Hero Award
• David W. Preus Leadership Award
• Named One of the most Caring People in America by the Caring Institute in Washington, D.C.
• Pax Christi Award
• Person of the Week on “ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings”
• Featured profile on Tom Brokaw's “America Close Up”
• Featured speaker at the 2001 Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
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