Donate Get Help

Public Policy
Advocacy

The Minnesota State Capitol building with a central dome, statues, and a blue sky in the background.

Systemic solutions to systemic issues

People Serving People has a dedicated team working to advance the public policy initiatives that advance meaningful change and combat the root causes of homelessness.

Advocate for families

Funding for critical shelter renovations


Our Downtown Shelter was originally constructed as a snowplow storage facility. When we converted it to a shelter in 2002, we did not anticipate the demand for shelter and did not yet know about trauma-informed design and its impact on the well-being of our families and staff. As a result, our Downtown Shelter lacks fundamental attributes that support our work and provide safe, welcoming, and healing spaces for the parents and children we serve.

Pursuing state funding for life-giving and life-saving facilities renewal (H.F. No. 205 | S.F. No. 948)

The total cost of this project is $11.5 million. People Serving People can invest $6.75 million and is asking the State of Minnesota for $4.75 million in funding, as part of our first-ever request for state funding in our history.

Why is the project necessary?

Trauma-informed design focuses on creating spaces that reduce stress and promote healing. While such spaces are essential for all of us, parents and children experiencing homelessness need healthy and supportive spaces most of all. Examples of how our spaces are inhospitable for our families:

  • Our hallways are stark and institutional
  • There is no outdoor space for families to gather
  • There is no space where families can prepare and enjoy food and meals together
  • The floors are old, rough, and unfriendly to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
  • There are insufficient indoor gathering spaces, forcing families to isolate in their rooms.

Current guest room vs. Re-imagined guest room

A brightly lit room with 2 bunk beds and a full size bed with blue comforter and dark wood frames.A mock-up of a reimagined guest room with green and white walls, counter space, and grey carpet.

Current guest lounge vs. Re-imagined guest lounge

A room with old blue chairs and a blue couch surrounded by light purple and white walls. A rendering of our reimagined guest lounge, with white walls, grey carpets, TV, and bookshelves.

For more information or to discuss this project and funding request, contact:

Annie Leomporra, Systems Change Manager
aleomporra@peopleservingpeople.org

Facilities renewal project expense breakdown

Design

$870,000

Project Management

$280,000

Lighting Renovation

$420,000

Shelter Rooms Renewal

$3,430,000

Renovating 1st and 2nd Floors

$2,150,000

Exterior Renewal

$1,550,000

Elevator Replacement

$1,250,000

Furniture Replacement

$105,000

IT Cabling

$20,000

TOTAL PROJECT COST

$11,500,000

Pre-Employment Program


Partnering with families for success

People Serving People provides pre-employment career services to parents to ensure that families are successful when they leave the shelter. We do this by providing holistic pre-employment support, including:

Our Request (H.F. No. 3979 | S.F. No. 3937)

We request one-time funding of $250,000 to support our Pre-Employment Program. These funds will be used to improve the earning potential and economic stability of families experiencing homelessness.

Three people sit around a table with laptops and papers, engaged in a discussion in a casual office setting.

For more information or to discuss this project and funding request, contact:

Annie Leomporra, Systems Change Manager
aleomporra@peopleservingpeople.org

2025 pre-employment program quick facts

Families experiencing housing instability and homelessness experience many barriers, one of which is parents and heads of households finding employment that is sustainable (hours conducive to child-rearing and near affordable childcare). At People Serving People, families find support with whatever their particular barriers to employment are—from assistance in completing a job application to finding suitable clothing for an interview.

  • 367 financial literacy education classes

    attended by guests

  • 11 to 28% growth

    in rate of employment for participants

  • 190 guests

    received pre-employment support

A woman wearing a black t-shirt and black leggings, with her hair wrapped behind a pink headband, smiles in front of red brick wall.

“Because of their support, I was able to complete CNA training, get a job at HCMC, and move into housing.”

Brianna – Former Guest

Help us advocate for families

Donate

Give Money

Invest in families. Invest in children. Invest in your neighbors.

Donate
Volunteer

Give Time

Share your time. Share your talents. Share your love for your community.

Volunteer
Advocate

Give Voice 

Raise your hand. Raise your voice. Advocate for your community.

Advocate