Simpson’s Family and Housing Programs are our largest programs. Simpson serves families who are experiencing homelessness by providing intensive case management and subsidized rental housing. Emphasis is placed on helping families quickly secure stable housing. Individualized services are focused on life skills, positive parenting, education, and employment. These services all seek to help families achieve long-term housing stability and success.
What happens in Simpson’s Family & Youth Housing Program?
A Family Support Specialist is paired with each family in our housing program. Focused on relationship-building, the Family Support Specialist creates a safe space for participants. “Our advocates really take the time to get to know the parents and the family. They take time to be with the person, to carry some of the weight, and build trust. Through the work they discover, ‘I bet this would be possible’, uncovering the hope in everyone,” says Janelle Leppa, Director of Family and Youth Programs.
Simpson advocates help participants achieve actionable goals they set for themselves. “Simpson is committed to building purposeful relationships. These are families — people — with real lives. We need to connect with a purpose, articulate goals, and ask questions: Are we on the same page? How do we need to move forward? Are the goals we are going for the most important? … We need to be respectful of the family’s time, set goals, and measure progress, so the family can say this is a good use of time and feel a sense of accomplishment.”
Simpson advocates support participants in this journey and celebrate with them along the way. “When something is accomplished, it is always them [the participants]. Getting to be a part of their story is incredibly special.”
Children and Youth Services
Simpson’s dual focus on family support and children’s programming is unique among organizations providing services to families experiencing homelessness. Dedicated advocates help connect parents to our Children and Youth Services Programs to provide specific support to children, including:
- Early Childhood Home Visiting Program: Provides support for families with children ages 0-5
- Passage Literacy Tutoring Program: Provides education support and literacy tutoring to children grades K–6th grade
- Middle School Mentoring: Matches mentors with 5–8th grade students to explore the students’ areas of interest in academics, career, or enrichment opportunities and help youth build skills such as leadership and self-efficacy.
To learn more about Children and Youth Services, click here.
Youth Housing Program
Simpson provides comprehensive supportive housing to youth in two programs:
Youth Parent Program: Simpson provides permanent supportive housing to parenting youth, ages 18-24, who have experienced homelessness through the Young Parent Program. Participants have young children, ages 0-5, and live in both site-based and scattered-site housing in Hennepin County. Support services focus on goal setting around education and employment, as well as early childhood home visiting with an emphasis on child development and positive parenting skills.
66 West: Simpson provides support services to 39 youth transitioning out of homelessness, ages 16-24, at 66 West. Services focus on setting and working toward personal goals in education, employment, and wellness. This site is a housing development in Edina owned by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative.
Read more about the services we provide at 66 West here.