Rochester Nonprofit Expands Free Lodging for Police Officers Seeking Mayo Clinic Care

House of Shields plans to move from volunteer-led home to new six-unit facility near Mayo Clinic's downtown campus.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Since 2008, the Rochester-based nonprofit House of Shields has provided free lodging to active and retired police officers and their families while receiving care at Mayo Clinic. The organization recently announced a five-year plan to build a larger, purpose-built facility with six units near Mayo's downtown campus to meet growing demand.

Why it matters

House of Shields fills a critical need by removing the financial burden of lodging for police officers and their families who travel to Rochester for medical treatment at Mayo Clinic. The expansion will allow the nonprofit to serve more families in need of this support during difficult times.

The details

House of Shields currently operates two one-bedroom units and provided 585 nights of free lodging to 48 families in 2025. However, the organization had to turn away nearly 500 additional nights of requests due to limited space. The new six-unit facility will allow House of Shields to accommodate more families seeking affordable housing options while a loved one receives care at Mayo Clinic.

  • House of Shields has provided free lodging since 2008.
  • In 2025, House of Shields provided 585 nights of lodging to 48 families.
  • House of Shields recently unveiled a five-year strategic plan to build a new six-unit facility.

The players

House of Shields

A Rochester-based nonprofit that provides free lodging to active and retired police officers and their families while receiving care at Mayo Clinic.

Roger Dickison

A Staff Sergeant with the Indiana State Patrol who is currently staying at House of Shields while receiving a 100-day treatment plan at Mayo Clinic after undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

Kathy Dickison

Roger Dickison's wife, who is staying with him at House of Shields during his treatment at Mayo Clinic.

Sarah Cronk

A board member at House of Shields.

Mayo Clinic

The renowned medical center in Rochester, Minnesota where police officers and their families receive care.

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What they’re saying

“It's just been, it's been a big relief. It's been great. It's amazing is what it is.”

— Roger Dickison, Police Officer (kaaltv.com)

“For me, the housing was the big concern, finding out how where we're going to stay. I mean, we've never never been to Rochester, Minnesota, in my life.”

— Roger Dickison, Police Officer (kaaltv.com)

“It's hard to explain how how great it is... we can worry about making sure I get fixed and not have to worry about where we're going to live for a hundred days.”

— Roger Dickison, Police Officer (kaaltv.com)

“Being able to know that this was available for us and that we were able to get into it was just huge, huge for us. Very thankful for this facility.”

— Kathy Dickison, Roger Dickison's Wife (kaaltv.com)

“Right now, having only two units, we turn down a lot of people, a lot of people that need that need the care.”

— Sarah Cronk, Board Member, House of Shields (kaaltv.com)

What’s next

House of Shields plans to break ground on the new six-unit facility near Mayo Clinic's downtown campus within the next 12 months.

The takeaway

House of Shields' expansion will allow the nonprofit to serve more police officers and their families who travel to Rochester for medical treatment at Mayo Clinic, removing a significant financial burden during an already difficult time.