Our Team

Cherita Tenhoff

Adult Shelter Connect Program Manager
Pronouns: she/her/hers ctenhoff@old.simpsonhousing.org 612-248-2350

As an Adult Shelter Connect Advocate, Cherita is often the first contact for people who are experiencing homelessness—whether the occurrence is recent or has been longer-term. She helps guests navigate the coordinated system and find a place to stay for the night, which is often shelter. 

Cherita describes herself as the first person that gives guests hope, despite all that they have encountered the night, week or month before. She provides hope that something is going to get better by helping guests get beds for that night, week, or month. “I give them a sense of relief that they have not had by making them feel comfortable coming into the office and asking for help that they need, by giving them respect and not judging. Making people feel human,” she says.  

Providing guests with hope, comfort and respect, Cherita finds her work to be deeply meaningful. “What I find most rewarding is when a person says to me after they have been through so much, ‘Thank you. I am glad that you are doing this work,’ and when I am able to make someone smile after they have been crying all night long,” she says. 

Cherita has a Bachelor in Information Technology, but she has worked most directly with people in her professional life.  She started out working in a nursing home before assisting individuals with disabilities. Now she enjoys helping guests who are currently or were previously experiencing homelessness. In addition to her role at Simpson, Cherita also works as a Case Manager at St.Stephen’s Human Services, where she has been for three years.    

Cherita was born in Peoria, IL and grew up in Minneapolis, MN. She has a wide range of interests including watching movies, reading books and having fun with her youngest child. Cherita is currently taking steps to become a foster parent. 

Cherita has been with SHS since 2017.