The Community Resource Center (CRC) was born out of necessity. Pastor John Hogenson came to St. Andrew’s during a time of economic hardship, when people of all socio-economic backgrounds found themselves seeking assistance for basic needs. Hogenson’s passion for helping the hurting fueled the creation of the CRC. Through this resource, St. Andrew’s stepped up and stepped in, filling gaps in the community.
Pastor John’s daughter, Jana, was on the front lines when the CRC was created and saw firsthand how necessary these resources were for our neighbors. After a brief hiatus, Jana has returned to the CRC, the place where the passion she inherited from her father first blossomed.
Pursuing Her Passion
Jana grew up in the small town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, in a house right across from the church where her dad served. People were always dropping by—any time, any day—and her parents taught her from early on how to respond when someone needed assistance.
“Church wasn’t just part of our week; it was our whole life. Volunteering, mission trips, and helping others weren’t just things we did occasionally—it was who we were,” Jana said.
When she headed off to the U of M to study Sports Management, she thought she was ready to leave all of that behind and focus on something completely different. But during college, she found herself pulled back into service—working with student athletes, first-generation college students, and taking trips to the Caribbean with St. Andrew’s Mission Jamaica teams.
“Slowly, I realized my passion for youth work and social impact was more than just a part of my upbringing. It was part of me,” Jana said.
After a few years working in college athletics, including time with the University of Minnesota Gophers, she shifted into social work, joining AmeriCorps in 2015 to work with troubled youth at a middle school. Around that same time, her dad was diagnosed with an inoperable, stage 4 glioblastoma brain tumor. That moment really grounded everything for her, and she felt compelled to support her dad’s work.
Starting at the CRC in June 2017 as a temporary front desk worker, Jana Hogenson was quickly promoted to a Case Manager position, assisting with rental aid, housing assessments, families in shelter, and community meals. With limited full-time staff, the CRC relied heavily on volunteers, and she wore many hats. The work was fulfilling, but it also shed light on the housing crisis in Minnesota.
In February 2020, she transitioned to working as a county Social Worker in the Department of Health and Human Services. The role was intense, involving forensic interviews with children who had suffered abuse. Testifying in court and handling 24-hour investigations took its toll on her.
She then moved to a social work intervention position coordinating and facilitating family group decision-making conferences, developing strength-based support plans that focused on keeping families together, safe, and stable. Despite the importance of the work, it became clear that bureaucracy and paperwork were consuming, limiting the time available for direct contact with families in crisis. She longed for opportunities for hands-on support like she had at the CRC.
Coming Home
A chance encounter in 2024 with Breanna Kealy, CRC Director (and also a family friend), led to a job offer. Now, with a larger team, an expanded space, and growing resources, the CRC is able to have more impact in meeting needs in the community.
“Now I see I’m right where I need to be—using my life and career to make a difference in the lives of others. Looking back, it’s crystal clear. Directly and indirectly, my whole life has led me to this point.
And it’s so good to be back! I’m shocked how much the CRC has grown. Pastor Mike is really carrying out my father’s vision for this project. I’m seeing what a truly good and supportive place, team, and environment this is. I wish my dad could see this today,” reminisced Jana
Filling the Gaps
The CRC operates with minimal barriers—no income requirements are needed for food or clothing, the paperwork is simple, and services are provided with dignity and care. The team creatively problem-solves to assist those in need, recognizing that while they can’t fix everything overnight, they can provide immediate relief and hope.
Our Hugo Family Shelter, unique because the house provides private rooms rather than communal spaces, offers a true sense of stability. The weekly Thursday Night Community Meal welcomes all, fostering connection and support. Beyond material aid, the CRC serves as an anchor, offering a safe place for people to land during their most challenging times.
The CRC’s food market is designed as a short-term supplement, offering enough support to help someone make it through a few days until their next paycheck or other assistance comes through. Basic hygiene items are available, as well as employment mentors, and a shopping trip at The Clothesline. Beyond meeting immediate needs, the CRC also connects individuals to other resources and services they can’t provide directly.
“Everyone here works really well as a team—truly. We balance each other out with our opinions and experiences. We rely heavily on our volunteers, as well as the St. Andrew’s greater community, and it’s just amazing to see that support,” said Jana.
The CRC offers services that go beyond what even Washington County provides, filling critical gaps in the system with compassion and accessibility. Their Family Shelter in Hugo, MN is the only family shelter in Washington County, one of the ways they are filling gaps from existing service programs. Despite growing over the years, the CRC still sees some of the same challenges it has faced since the beginning—limited finances and staffing. Often, the CRC is the first point of contact for individuals experiencing crisis, sometimes on the worst day or week of their lives.
“Being able to offer someone who’s sleeping in their car a second blanket so they can keep their children or pet companion warm—that makes a world of difference,” Jana acknowledged.
It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing as much as possible with the resources available. This is the heart of the CRC’s mission: to step in where there are gaps, create a safe space without judgment, and provide tangible help when people need it most.
Moments of Hope
The work is not without its challenges, but it is filled with moments of inspiration. Whether it’s a guest moved to tears by the generosity of volunteers, parents prioritizing their children’s needs over their own, or individuals determined to turn their lives around, hope is ever-present.
One winter day, a freezing -15 degrees, a woman arrived at the CRC with only a laundry basket of belongings. She had no coat, hat, mittens, proper shoes, and no car. Despite her struggles, she refused to take more than she needed. She felt called to the CRC and overwhelmed by the care she received. That night, with a warm place to stay, she found the encouragement to make necessary changes in her life.
A Message to the Community
The CRC embodies faith in action and is a beacon of hope for many. Volunteers and staff live out their mission by serving others without expectations. Guests at the CRC are not just recipients of aid, they become part of a larger family. The relationships built here extend beyond filling immediate needs, sometimes even leading to invitations to graduations or baptisms.
“I can truly say that the members and volunteers in the community are living out their faith while being humble and supportive—giving people access to showers, food, clothes, and laundry facilities. Jesus would wash people’s feet, give them bread. We are doing those things, just in a modern way,” Jana said.
The CRC is more than a resource center. It is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and unwavering faith in the resilience of the human spirit.
“I feel like I’m home,” Jana said when reflecting on coming back to the Community Resource Center.