During the winter of 2013, long-time Anoka County employee and retiree Edna Hoium stepped in to work at Stepping Stone Emergency Housing to help prevent it from closing after a few pivotal employees walked out one day.

Edna’s passion and tenacity stabilized Stepping Stone, slowly getting it back on solid financial ground.

Today the shelter is a model in the Twin Cities metro area, serving on average 66 homeless men and women daily seeking to resolve their personal issues and find stable housing through Stepping Stone’s programs and case management services.

With Edna’s passing in September 2018, memorials were made to the shelter in her name. Edna’s family wished to do more to permanently acknowledge her legacy. A committee formed to explore and decide what that legacy should be. Edna’s oldest granddaughter, Lindsey Grove wanted to create a painting to hang on a memorial wall for all who entered the shelter to see. The committee desired to find a way to sustain donations to a fund that would focus on current and former residents with unmet educational expenses or support, such as equipment needed to gain or retain employment.

Effective immediately, Stepping Stone is accepting donations to the Edna Hoium Education and Support Fund. 

Contributions can be made as a memorial to a family member or friend, or in honor of a person on a special occasion such as a birthday. Please note on your donation your intent of restricting it towards this fund.

The family hopes that the Edna Hoium Education and Support Fund will be an ongoing tribute to Edna and provide much needed support for those working their way out of homelessness.