Dream Center Marks 30 Years, Seeks Community Help for Christmas Outreach

(KNSI) – The Overcomers International Fellowship Dream Center of St. Cloud is marking a major milestone as they celebrate three decades of assisting men rebuild their lives, and are asking for help to make their annual Christmas celebration a success.

The program serves formerly incarcerated men, individuals coming out of treatment centers, and others working to overcome addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges.

Executive Director Pastor Michael Laidlaw, who founded the organization, spoke with KNSI and says this year’s Christmas outreach is especially meaningful. “We’re celebrating our 30th year of Christmas for the disenfranchised, the homeless, the justice-involved, and we’re putting on a spread like we’ve always done before.”

The organization is seeking donations of turkeys, hams, pies, and other holiday meal essentials, plus winter clothing. The Christmas celebration will include multiple meals throughout the holiday weekend, including events on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Community members can support the effort by dropping off items, making a financial donation, or volunteering on site. “Anything will help-just stop in and say hello or greet us. The guys never get a Christmas card. They’re kind of isolated, but now they’re on a new path to change their life totally.”

Cash donations are also welcome, especially as the group works to complete a $125,000 capital campaign to replace the stucco on its main building at 529 16th Avenue North. Laidlaw says they’ve already raised about $90,000 and hope to complete the project by April.

Overcomers International currently houses 46 men on its main campus and another group at an eight-bedroom home nearby for program graduates. Many residents are in long-term recovery, attending treatment, receiving mental and chemical health services, and even enrolling in college or vocational programs. According to Laidlaw, five residents are currently attending St. Cloud Technical & Community College full-time.

Donations can be delivered anytime through January 1st at the organization’s headquarters at 529 16th Avenue North in St. Cloud.

___