Our Saviour’s Community Services (OSCS) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness and expanding educational opportunity. It works in the Phillips neighborhood, one of the most diverse areas of South Minneapolis, to support adults experiencing housing instability and immigrants or refugees learning English. OSCS provides free, dignified services that help people rebuild stability and improve their lives.
The organization operates two main programs. The first is Our Saviour’s Housing, which offers emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing for single adults who are unhoused. The shelter operates 24/7, provides beds and meals, and connects guests to supportive services. Permanent supportive housing serves adults living with mental illness, physical disability, or substance use conditions. OSCS helps residents find stable housing and improve overall well-being.
The second is the English Learning Center, a free educational program for adult immigrants and refugees. Classes include English language instruction, math, digital literacy, and citizenship preparation. Volunteers and staff work together to create an inclusive learning community where students build skills, confidence, and community connections.
OSCS traces its roots to a church-founded language project in the early 1980s, but today operates as a legally independent nonprofit welcoming people of all backgrounds. The organization emphasizes mutual respect, open communication, diversity, and ethical conduct in its work.
Volunteers play a vital role in OSCS’s impact. People can serve meals, teach classes, or support residents and learners in meaningful ways. OSCS also offers opportunities to donate or advocate for policies that expand housing and education equity.
OSCS serves as a community safety net and a bridge to long-term stability. It meets immediate needs while building skills and connections that reduce isolation and expand opportunity in Minneapolis.