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.
This Fall, Simpson Housing Services helped open the doors to Adult Shelter Connect, a new collaborative with the five Minneapolis single adult shelter providers. Simpson manages this office at St. Olaf Church and provides assessment and placement for adults seeking shelter in Hennepin County. During the first week hundreds of people came to the office to seek shelter.
The Adult Shelter Connect office was formed by the Single Adult Shelter Collaborative and opened on October 17th, 2016. Participating shelters include Catholic Charities, Our Saviour’s Housing, Salvation Army, Simpson Housing Services, and St. Stephen’s Human Services. The Adult Shelter Connect office is funded by Hennepin County and Simpson Housing Services oversees the day-to-day operations.
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.
St. Olaf Church | 215 S. 8th St., Mpls
Parking Info:
The summer newsletter is here! Checkout the 2015 program outcomes and learn more about updates at Simpson. If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive future newsletters, email Elisabeth at eloeffler@old.simpsonhousing.org.
We are now offering Simpson merchandise available for purchase. Show your Simpson Spirit with our new t-shirts, sweatshirt and other items. Click here to make your order today.
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.
