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Since hiring a dedicated director for Luverne in 2014, ATLAS of Rock County has expanded office hours, opened a thrift store and added outreach services.
But those who work for the Christ-centered non-profit organization want to extend more of their services into the community.
Lonna Heideman began as director of the Rock County office in 2018. Before that, the Pipestone ATLAS served Pipestone and Rock counties.
“People have walked into the office with a heavy load on their shoulders and they leave lighter,” she said.
ATLAS stands for “attain truth, love and self-control,” and there are 13 ATLAS for Life organizations nationwide.
They support hurting men, women and families by offering tangible support, advocacy and mentoring.
Heideman said ATLAS employees and volunteers work alongside other local organizations such as churches, social service and mental health professionals to provide mentoring — not counseling — to people and families who are encountering any number of life challenges.
On a monthly basis, Heideman estimates ATLAS helps 25 to 35 individuals and/or families through its mentoring program.
Workplace ministry added
In September 2018, ATLAS board members suggested adding a workplace ministry, so Michael Blank stops at 13 Rock County businesses weekly, monthly or quarterly for 10-minute non-denominational visits that include prayer and reflection.
“When we started this facet of the ministry, we knew how important the time is for employees and employers,” he said. “We would love to have more businesses for our workplace ministry.”
Blank also assists with the male mentoring program.
“We will help anywhere we can and anyone we can,” he said.
The ALTAS office is located on the second floor of the Cragoe Realty building at 201 E. Main St., Luverne.
The confidential and free service operates on donations from businesses, churches and individuals. The annual budget of $177,000 is also supported by the organization’s thrift store, Redeemed Remnants.
Thrift store fills niche
Redeemed Remnants opened on East Main Street in Luverne in 2015. The store provides about 25 percent of ALTAS budget.
Manager Greg Hoogeveen said the daily foot traffic has increased threefold since the store opened four years ago.
“We averaged 30 customers a day in the early years,” he said. “It’s tripled since it has opened.”
Clothes make up most of the store’s merchandise followed by décor items, housewares and furniture.
Items are donated to the store, and the ones in the best condition are resold at reasonable prices.
Nearly three dozen volunteers sort and prepare items for resale, and they help Hoogeveen, assistant manager Deb Boomgaarden and store clerk Dawn Nath with customer service.
The store is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with closures Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m.
Clothes that are not suitable for resale are transported to the Justice For All facility in Rock Valley where the clothing is further recycled.
Other ministries available
Above the Main Street Luverne thrift store are two apartments called The Loft, which fill a need for crisis housing in Rock County.
Heideman said the apartments are regularly occupied.
“People don’t realize we have homeless in Rock County,” she said.
ATLAS also works with the Southwest Crisis Center and other agencies that may need immediate housing for individuals or families.
Matthew 6 Outreach is for Rock County residents facing life-threatening medical conditions.
The group provides support to families both emotionally and financially.
Since 2006, Matthew 6 Outreach has helped more than 50 families, donating more than $50,000 to those in need.
Recently the ATLAS office became the new home to the Luverne BackPack Program.
The group uses a large back conference room to assemble more than 150 food bags for school-aged children in Luverne each week.
“We had the space and we weren’t using it,” Heideman said.
ATLAS also provides space for the One Warm Coat program, which accepts new or gently used winter coats through Oct. 31 and distributes them Nov. 2 and 7.
A box in the ATLAS lobby is available for the coat donations.
No more banquets
ATLAS supporters used to organize a community fundraising banquet each fall but stopped last year.
Heideman said instead of one large event, ATLAS completes several smaller events, such as Pizza Ranch Tip Night, throughout the year.
All donations are used within Rock County.
Currently the group is weighing options for an updated, more reliable delivery van for pick-ups and deliveries.
“We won’t take that out of town,” Heideman said.
In addition to a van, the group would also like to fill an empty position on its ATLAS board of directors.
For more information, the ATLAS office is open from 9 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Laura Luitjens works part time for ATLAS as the organization’s administrative assistant.
The phone number to ATLAS is 507-449-5777.