Simpson Housing Services

On Wednesday, Simpson team members attended Minnesota’s Homeless Day on the Hill to advocate for crucial investments and policy solutions to address homelessness. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home — and we’re proud to stand alongside community members and other advocates in this important work. #MCHDOTH Learn more about the 2025 legislative agenda: https://lnkd.in/gp6TTTKA Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless #HomelessDayOnTheHill #Advocacy #SimpsonHousingServices

We're #hiring a new Early Childhood Specialist in Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area. Apply today or share this post with your network.

The majority of youth mentees receive educational support from Simpson, including support through our Tools for School fundraiser. Tools for School empowers families to provide young learners with the specific supplies and learning tools they need to do their best work in school, from calculators to internet access to culturally specific resources. We believe that investing in multi-generational education is investing in our community’s health. Young people are more likely to be successful in the classroom when they are prepared for school, their parents are invested in their education, and they have a network of supportive adults in their lives. By equipping students for educational success, together we can break cycles of homelessness. We invite you to be part of this community of care. Learn more and empower young people at https://lnkd.in/gz3-QuGb. #NationalMentoringMonth

Simpson's Youth Group Mentoring program provides a space for young people to be heard and to take the lead in their own learning. Each amazing young person has dreams, goals, and unique strengths. For #NationalMentoringMonth’s Youth Voice Day, mentees share their lived experience and their thoughts about building community based on mutually respectful relationships. “[Mentoring] is great because you can talk to a grown-up whenever you need to.?The adults support us and they want to learn about our interests and what we’re going through.” “This space is really calming. Adults here respect us and take us seriously.” “The drives [when mentors transport young people to and from programming] are fun, when we’re just listening to music and chatting and laughing.” “[My mentoring group] gives me a chance to talk to new people…and hang out with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I feel more confident about making friends.” “We’re all working together and having a good time. We are learning about each other’s strengths and how to be a team.” “Sometimes adults will treat me like I’m just less of a person when they don’t know anything about what I’ve been through. Respect is important in relationships and [I appreciate] when adults try to earn my respect. It makes me want to earn theirs.” “The things [adults] say to young people matter. We want adults to listen.” Learn how you can become a supportive adult to young people at https://lnkd.in/eWszte-v.

During a time of upheaval and division, Simpson Youth Group Mentors are thankful for what this next generation of young leaders embodies. “I feel hopeful,” a mentor says. “Kids today are more open-minded [than my generation] and have a lot to say if you ask the right questions and are willing to listen.” Young people have strengths, knowledge, and leadership abilities. Youth Group Mentors have regular opportunities to encourage, empower, and learn from participants in the program. “I'm thankful for the chance to be a supportive adult in their circle,” one mentor says, adding that the youth have opened up new musical horizons: “I've learned about [new artists].” Another mentor sums it up: “Like the community organizers, activists, and teachers that have come before me, I'm excited to see young people being compassionate and engaged. When has there been a 'certain' time in our history? There is only our vision for a better future and the willingness to craft it into reality.” The staff and volunteers of the Youth Group Mentoring Program are proud to build community alongside young people. Learn more about the program and get involved at https://lnkd.in/eWszte-v.

We're highlighting Youth Group Mentors today for #NationalMentoringMonth. Simpson mentors support young people in grades 7-12. Working in pairs, these volunteers build relationships with a small group of 3–5 young people and participate in large-group activities. They act as positive role models, facilitators, guides, cheerleaders, and sounding boards for youth. Mentors also manage group dynamics to ensure that young people can grow in their unique strengths and connect in a safe, supportive space. When mentors speak about their experience in the program, common themes are connecting and learning. ?? "I’m learning about video games and hot chips, but also about how much young people are going through, especially how different school is [from when I was young]. Today’s challenges are just very different." ?? "I had expected needing to go through a list of questions to get to know a young person, but [the way our group came together] has been very organic." ?? "We humans want to be accepted and appreciated in our community. I try to give that to our mentees. I feel all warm inside when they give that to me as well." Learn more about the Youth Group Mentoring program at https://lnkd.in/eWszte-v.

New volunteer opportunity! ? During long Minnesota winters, shelter guests need warm layers and personal care products. These needs are perfect for a supply drive. January 28th is Global Community Engagement Day, so we invite you to gather your family, friends, or coworkers to purchase, organize, and drop off or mail supplies. ?? Please contact Katelyn Jaksha, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected] for details. ? Learn more about donating supplies at https://lnkd.in/gi5cjzbr. #globalcommunityengagementday #endhomelessness #donatesupplies #volunteermn #volunteermpls #MN #minneapolis #mpls #localnonprofit #twincities #twincitiesnonprofit #nonprofit #nonprofits #simpsonhousingservices

Simpson Housing Services is committed to being inclusive and anti-racist. We're proud to partner with a community who shares our values. Together, we're working toward a future where people of all races, orientations, and gender expressions have a home. "Don’t let anybody, anybody convince you this is the way the world is and therefore must be. It must be the way it ought to be." —Toni Morrison OUR VALUES: We believe that everybody has the right to safe and affordable housing. Racism is a key cause of homelessness; therefore, we work to dismantle racism on individual, organizational, and systemic levels. We honor the inherent strengths and dignity of each person and promote the power of self-determination. We are driven by compassion and accountability as we build authentic relationships to strengthen our community.

We're highlighting our new Youth Group Mentoring Program all week in honor of #NationalMentoringMonth. At Simpson Housing Services, we work to break the generational cycle of homelessness in multiple ways. We know that young people are amazing and deserve to be heard. Through our innovative mentorship program, Simpson provides the opportunity for youth to be in and lead in spaces designed for them. The Youth Group Mentoring Program is a space where young people, in partnership with supportive adults and with each other, build on their inherent strengths and capacity for leadership. Adult volunteers commit to being in relationship with a small group of young people in order to support their learning, exploration, and development. Mentors become part of these young people’s network of support as they pursue personal and collective goals and grow into active participants in civic and community life. Simpson is the only housing provider with a mentoring program in the state of Minnesota. By investing in young people, we are partnering with families in our Family Housing program as they work to break cycles of homelessness. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eWszte-v.

Volunteer opportunity: Simpson Shelter needs volunteer groups to serve meals in February. Serving a meal is a great way for your company or group to be part of our mission to house, support, and empower people impacted by homelessness. Meal groups plan, purchase, prepare, and serve meals for guests at our extended-stay shelter. Serving a meal is a great opportunity to learn more about Simpson’s shelter and supportive housing programs. Experience the impact of our work firsthand, get to know the shelter guests, and make a meaningful contribution with your friends, family, or coworkers. Learn more and sign up at https://lnkd.in/gyTRk8S3 or contact Aaron Ramos, Volunteer Engagement Manager, at [email protected]. Photo credit: Erica Loeks Photography.