After 10 years at Simpson Housing Services, Nedra Robinson retired from her role of Early Childhood Program Manager in December 2023. Friends, family, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Nedra through stories, poems, tears, laughter, food, and a mayoral proclamation.
Nedra has been a pillar of the early childhood professional community in the Twin Cities for decades. Her impact on children, families, and the wider community is immeasurable. The legacy of Nedra’s work resonated in the people celebrating her and the stories they told.
We commemorated her tireless work and advocacy with a mayoral proclamation: December 11, 2023, was Nedra Robinson Day in the City of Minneapolis!
One of Nedra’s most recent projects was creating a play space for children at our administrative office. Simpson plans to dedicate this room to Nedra in recognition of her work. At the celebration, we gifted her a framed copy of her favorite poem, which will be hung on the wall of Nedra’s Playroom.
We at Simpson are so grateful for Nedra’s leadership, compassion, and sense of humor, and we wish her the best as she transitions into this next stage of her life (and comes back to visit–often, we hope!) Her years of service encourage each of us to continue working toward a community where all children and families can thrive.
Thank you to Glass House MN, Not Just Puddin’, and Manitou Photos for helping us honor Nedra Robinson.
Proclamation Honoring Nedra Robinson for her 10 years of Service at Simpson Housing Services and Decades of Work in the Twin Cities to Ensure Children and Their Families Thrive
WHEREAS, Nedra Robinson has served the mission of Simpson Housing Services for 10 years, partnering with families transitioning out of homelessness and generational poverty and into lives that are thriving and focused on their futures; and
WHEREAS, as an active member in Minnesota’s early childhood professional community for decades, Nedra has developed innovative child and family programming centered on people’s dreams and possibilities, and has been a key and effective leader in transitioning Simpson’s work to a transformational, as opposed to transactional, model when assisting families; and
WHEREAS, Nedra has enthusiastically stewarded community collaborations, recognizing that strong partnerships are essential to support better futures for families, and has served as a teacher, mentor, leader, and an inspiration to countless individuals; and
WHEREAS, Nedra has provided leadership in expanding the community’s understanding of early childhood education, the effects of trauma and poverty on the development of children and families, and how to effectively utilize a culturally relevant lens in program delivery; and
WHEREAS, Nedra has consistently shown a passion for the welfare of all children and families, including through her vigorous efforts to create pathways for children to flourish in school as a teacher and mentor, sharing her knowledge and best practices to the community, and teaching future early childhood professionals at area colleges, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, Nedra has garnered a state-wide impact through partnership, program innovation, and mentorship – as well as demonstrated persistence, humility, vision, courage, tenacity, humanity, and compassion; and
WHEREAS, the City of Minneapolis joins Simpson Housing Services in honoring her tremendous, longstanding work and the important contributions she has made on behalf of young children and their well-being; and
WHEREAS, the City of Minneapolis congratulates Nedra on her retirement and recognizes her unique and honorable role in creating a positive, supportive, and successful community for all residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JACOB FREY, Mayor of the City of Minneapolis, do hereby proclaim December 11th, 2023 as:
NEDRA ROBINSON DAY IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS