Joylenna Sims likes to have a goal. She’s always working toward something – learning, growing, and striving to be better. And as a Family Advocate at Simpson, she puts that attitude toward her program participants, too.
“I’m always driven by what’s next, how I can be better,
“To provoke thought and to get you to actively participate and engage in your own life.” That’s Jean Loyd’s personal mission statement. It guides her life, both personal and professional. Jean’s been working at Simpson for nine years and her mission statement drives her work.
“I like asking people questions.
Tony Szczepaniak first got involved with Simpson ten years ago through his church, Immanuel Lutheran church, Eden Prairie. “My involvement began as the church coordinator and all around cheerleader to raise awareness and engage volunteers,” Tony says. “It felt like the right thing to do.”
Over the years,
“I am a professor at Metropolitan State University. I have connected dozens of law enforcement and criminal justice students with Simpson for service learning opportunities as part of a course I teach called “Citizenship and Community Involvement.”
Simpson is by far my most recommended service learning opportunity for students because it introduces them to issues of urban poverty that many of them have never experienced from the perspective of a concerned citizen.
Malcolm Adams changed schools a lot growing up. There wasn’t a lot of consistency or stability. When Malcolm’s family moved to Minneapolis around 2004, the instability continued. Malcolm, along with his father and older brother, stayed at the People Serving People homeless shelter until they secured a spot in one of Simpson’s housing programs.
This fall, Jonathan was homeless and sleeping in his car. His friend, who had a bed at the Simpson shelter, brought Jonathan to visit. He hadn’t been to the shelter before and wasn’t really interested in staying. There happened to be an extra bed open that night and Jonathan’s friend persuaded him to stay and get a decent night’s sleep.
I met Natasha outside a gas station.
I just happened to stop for a morning paper and there she was, her baby in arms, two bags at her feet. She looked fearful. When I asked if she was alright, she told me she was leaving an abusive relationship and was waiting for a ride.
Earlier this summer, families enrolled in Simpson’s Family Housing Program and staff came together at Minnehaha Park to celebrate at a picnic sponsored by the Cargill Cares Council from the Starches and Sweeteners North American division. The Cargill Cares Councils are made up of employee volunteers and retirees and annually contribute over 100,000 volunteer hours to organizations in our community.
Betsy came to Simpson Housing Services last year after leaving her apartment in North Minneapolis. Her neighbors were violent and she didn’t feel safe there, but had nowhere else to go. She heard about the Simpson Shelter lottery for women and participated, keeping a positive attitude.
Betsy’s positive thinking paid off;
In March, bdh+young employees kicked off the company’s 45th anniversary by dedicating 2016 to a Caring Campaign benefiting Simpson Housing Services. The interior design and architecture firm’s 44 employees are volunteering over the course of the year with events scheduled each month to support shelter guests and individuals and families in Simpson’s supportive housing programs.
