2025 Christmas Letter

Dear Friends,

We hope this letter finds you surrounded by the warmth and joy of the season.

Christmas reminds us of the importance of family, friends and community. It is also a time for

reflection, renewal, gratitude, hope and goodwill.

Enkrateia turned 4 this year. We had three mothers at the same time and found out that it can

be done in our modest home.

One of our long-term guests started her journey to independence on October 22nd. We wish her

and her baby well. Mommy M is becoming fluent in English through the help of a volunteer

English teacher.

This year we had 39 applicants through November 2025.

We shared an Italian dinner for EHOH at Trinity Lutheran in Waconia. Dinner was served by

sixteen volunteers from St Therese of Deephaven under leadership of our Chair Ms. Marilyn

Olson. Ninety-four patrons were served dinner along with all the workers. Guests learned how

they can further our mission and help the families in need. We raised 25K to everyone’s delight

and gratitude.

Deacon Patrick Kirsch, our Spiritual Director, shared our Mission and Vision. Core mother

mentors, our Executive Team, briefed the patrons regarding EHOH’s Intake process, volunteer

opportunities and daily activities at the house.

We have continued to expand awareness of our home in our communities. Our hearts are full

of gratitude for each of you. Pictures speak a thousand words! Photos attached.

As we journey into New Year, May God Shower you all with His sustaining power that guides

you, protects you, and directs you toward His purpose! Let us trust His wisdom though we may

not understand His plan!

Sincerely,

Dorothy A Arockiasamy

< Older Post

Enkrateia's First Fund Raising Dinner!

October 6, 2025

Dear Friends, After hearing about our progress over the last 3 years, going on 4, a patron came forward to foster us! A dinner for “Rooting” for Enkrateia House of Hope’s Mission. We were obliged! Trinity Lutheran in Waconia, came forward to host! Thank you for Championing us, Trinity! Volunteers were ready to take on another challenge! An Italian Dinner. The response to Enkrateia’s midyear update was extraordinary. Thank you notes accompanied by monetary support and the guaranteed prayers for Enkrateia’s wellbeing is greatly appreciated. We had 94+ supporters come for dinner and found out what our wing bearers are doing to help the displaced young women in need and how each one of you could help! Patrick Kirsch, our Spiritual director, talked about our Mission and Vision. Core 4, our Executive Team briefed the patrons about Enkrateia’s Intake process, Volunteers, Mother mentors, and daily activities at the house. Italian dinner was served by a team of volunteers from St. Therese Catholic community in Deephaven under the leadership of our Chair, Marilyn Olson. They were troopers! We had Lasagna (meat, veggie and gluten free), Fresh green beans off the garden, fresh fruits (a combination of all berries, melons and grapes) Salad, Italian bread, and dessert (of course we had chocolate) and beverages. It was a great opportunity to meet and greet our patrons in person. The informal and laid back setting promoted mingling. It was a gathering of people who believed in the cause! I am happy to note that the” Italian dinner rooting for Enkrateia House of Hope’s Mission” was a success. You, the sustaining as well as the new donors, helped us raise 25K. Thank you for spending September 29th evening with us to show your support and making the event a success! Let us plan to celebrate Enkrateia’s 5th birthday in 2026 and Root for 50K? Yours sincerely, Team Enkrateia! Note: Hats off to our Fundraising Chair, Marilyn Olson “The Energizer” keeping Enkrateia in her heart and mind always and bringing awareness about Enkrateia’s mission to all whom she comes across in her daily life! She is on a Mission!

Mid Year Update 2025

July 25, 2025

“A midyear update from Enkrateia! “ July 2025 Dear Friends, Enkrateia reached its full capacity! We have three moms and 3 babies! The Enkrateia team is busy! Our volunteers are busy! 16 Guests have reached out to us this year in 6 months. We did help all of them in the little ways that we could. Quite a few of the Guests had a toddler along with the baby that they were carrying. Though we had a small room open, we could not help the mothers with toddlers, since our home is not toddler friendly! One Guest moved out in January and is settled with her own apartment. Her mother mentor Tami has done a wonderful job of settling and following up with her. Guest “C” had baby boy “D” in March. Mom and baby are warming up to their roles. Mother mentor Kim is on her toes darting between her work, family and Enkrateia! Second Guest “M” moved in as soon as our second room opened. Mama “M” and baby girl “M” are keeping House of Hope busy. Mama M had her wisdom tooth (3 of them) surgically removed and her mother mentor Jennifer and volunteers were busy taking care of Mama and the baby. Mama M is being tutored by a volunteer English teacher to accomplish proficiency in English and Mama is making strides in communicating in English. Third Guest “A” came in on June 4th. She started her onward journey on July 2nd after a short stay with us. We wish her and the sweet baby Boy “D” all the best in their journey forward. We need you! E nkrateia House of Hope is a mission run by Volunteers! God and Angels are priceless so are our wing bearing volunteers! Enkrateia is often run off with doctor’s appointments, Gather and Grow, Walgreens and Target visits. Mother mentors are on call 24/7. Our awesome volunteers are trying to be available as much as they can. The care coordinator is available only on 3 days during the day. Garden was planted in mid-May! Grateful to Melinda and Helene for taking charge of the garden. It looks beautiful. As we express our gratitude to all of you, for your support, I would like to share with you a kind note that one of our Guests “DJ” and the little boy “I “(you might recollect) sent to their mother mentor Jennifer. Jennifer has been in touch with DJ for the past three years. DJ lives out of state, bought a small house, had a baby girl, boyfriend works 2 jobs and planning a summer wedding with 18 guests. Jennifer is planning to crash the wedding party! Dear Enkrateia, I would be lost without my experience with y’all. You guys gave me and my son a safe place, a beautiful town and yard and love. With your help I was able to take the time to think about my future and my hopes and dreams. While I did not finish college the knowledge I did obtain is helping me plan our family business and that would not have been possible without the encouragement of everyone that's a part of House of Hope. You guys helped bring our Heavenly father into our family and into our everyday lives. My life and the life of my family have changed so much from the knowledge I gained being around such amazing people. I hope you guys get to help so many other mothers and family on your journey. What you guys did for me still matters to this day 🫶🏽 We wish her joy and peace filled family life! God Bless, Dorothy A Arockiasamy (Executive Director)