Simpson shelter advocates PJ Ingalls and Tessa Kurkowski
In September, Simpson added 20 new temporary women’s shelter beds at our current shelter site to accommodate the increased need for housing and services for women experiencing homelessness. Hennepin County is generously funding the operating expenses for these additional beds.
With the 20 new beds, Simpson’s current shelter provides a safe space for 70 guests. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shelter has operated 24 hours per day and seven days per week to ensure safety and social distancing. The shelter will continue to operate 24/7 through August of 2022.
This increase in Simpson’s shelter capacity is part of a comprehensive effort by the Single Adult Shelter Collaborative – Simpson, Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, St. Stephen’s Human Services, and Our Savior’s Housing — and Hennepin County to add another 200 shelter beds to the shelter system by the end of the calendar year.
A welcoming space
Simpson staff created an inviting and socially distanced space on the second floor to accommodate the 20 new women’s beds. The reconfigured area, with big windows and natural light, includes sleeping space with 20 beds, an adjacent eating area, a sitting room with a desk, a lounge area with couches and chairs, a changing space with access to lockers, and a bathroom. Guests access the lower level of the shelter for additional restrooms and showers.
On the day the new shelter beds opened, the staff worked together to paint a colorful mural on the second floor that says welcome in many different languages. The mural reflects the unique spirit of Simpson, celebrating and embracing the uniqueness and dignity of every person.
Simpson is grateful to Simpson United Methodist Church for accommodating this shelter space through their generous gift of the building in 2019. We are honored to carry forward this important legacy of social justice.
New shelter advocates equipped for critical work
Simpson hired 12 new shelter advocates to provide support to the expanded community of guests. Simpson’s Shelter Operations Manager Marian Wright is excited about the team’s newest members:
“The people we hired are really amazing. We have staff who have experience in de–escalation, helping people navigate benefits eligibility, and other skills. Staff are listening to concerns from guests. They are asking questions and taking a lot of notes. They want to help people.”
Committed to the training needs of staff, shelter managers offered a series of training opportunities for staff focused on mental health needs, sexual trauma and trauma-informed care, culturally-specific strengths and needs, de-escalation, Narcon training, and creative support of individuals who have experienced long-term homelessness. Simpson appreciates the contributions of skilled staff members and agency partners who provided these relevant trainings.
The shelter managers are especially grateful to long-term shelter staff who helped onboard new staff to the team: “The staff at the shelter have played a huge role in welcoming and training new staff. I really appreciate them for welcoming them the Simpson way,” says Marian.
What is happening at the shelter
Meeting guests where they are at, shelter staff are focused on creating meaningful working relationships with each person. Tessa Kurkowski, a new Simpson advocate, shares more about this important work:
“It’s really difficult when women experience unsheltered homelessness. It’s dangerous. That’s the reason that women are grateful to have a bed, to be in shelter, behind a locked door, to have a shield from the life-threatening, adverse experiences on the streets. They can feel safe,” says Tessa. “Our staff is focused on giving guests a stable environment. We can be an ear — sometimes that is all that is needed — to be heard and validated. And we can offer resources that are helpful.”
When guests are comfortable, staff ask more questions to find out about each person’s unique strengths and needs. Oftentimes they check in with guests about any physical or mental health needs. They assist with the basics like getting identification — like a state ID, social security card, or birth certificate — and help guests access government assistance. After working through these barriers, staff can more easily assist with job searches, housing, and other needs.
“I hear often from the women who are staying here that ‘the staff really cares.’ The staff goes the extra mile for people, to help them further their journey in a positive way. They’re invested in the well-being of the people who stay at the shelter,” says Tessa.
This dignity and care for each individual creates a welcoming community at Simpson’s shelter. Guests check in with one another and offer support when the daily challenges of going through recent homelessness, working through barriers, and living in a congregate setting for a period of time — especially during COVID-19 — can be extremely difficult.
“Things can get tense,” says Tessa. “Even when guests have these moments, shortly thereafter, they come together to work it out. People are supportive and say, ‘that’s okay. If I was going through that situation, I would feel that way too.’ “The sense of community that is formed is really amazing. People really support each other and lift each other up.”