During these uncertain times, how can we help?
See below to access our COVID-19 Resource Hub, and to explore our growing directory of COVID-19-specific and virtual volunteering opportunities.
Simpson Housing Services, Inc.
**Our mentoring positions are open and mentors will be matched with students virtually when possible. While mentors will begin volunteering virtually, we plan to transition mentors to in-person service as soon as it is safe to do so. In order to facilitate this, prospective volunteers should be residents of Minnesota.**
Simpson Literacy Mentoring Program
The Simpson Mentoring Program builds on the inherent strengths of young people in our housing program enabling them to maximize their potential. The Literacy Mentoring program uses adult volunteers who commit to a long-term relationship built around supporting, teaching, and exploring with a young person. By becoming part of the social network of adults and community members who care about the youth, the mentor can support the young person in fostering a love of reading and exploring their strengths, interests, history, and identity through literature and outings.
A note during COVID-19: Simpson prioritizes in-person contact in relationships. However, during the pandemic, it may not always be safe for mentors and mentees to meet in person. Following state and local guidelines, Simpson mentors should be prepared to engage in virtual meetings with their mentee, modified in-person meetings following additional health and safety guidelines, or a combination of both.
As of August 2020, Simpson's policy is that mentors meet with their mentees over Zoom or another approved video platform, with the expectation that they will transition to in-person meetings as soon as it is safe to do so. Training on using video platforms, online safety expectations, and Simpson’s process for deciding when to approve in-person meetings will be provided.
Mentor Role
Mentors will be paired up with one young person with whom they will meet with regularly. This program is designed to be a mutually beneficial relationship, not a short-term intervention; mentors are strongly encouraged to be open to an ongoing partnership and are expected to commit to the formal program for a minimum of 10 months, with opportunities to continue in formal and informal ways beyond that. They will support the young person in the following ways:
Time Commitment
Mentor Eligibility Requirements
Vital Qualities
Benefits
Application and Screening Process
For more information, contact Simpson’s Children and Youth Services Manager, Jocelyn Pickreign, at jpickreign@simpsonhousing.org.
We are committed to building a diverse group of mentors. Mentors of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual/romantic orientations, religions, dis/abilities, and socioeconomic statuses are encouraged to apply. The majority of our families are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and members of these communities are especially encouraged to apply.
160 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405, US
To house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness.
We know that with close, individual advocacy and support, men, women and families experiencing homelessness achieve housing stability.
We are committed to Housing First: house people quickly, then provide services as needed.
We operate over 20 programs for three distinct groups of participants:
We'll work with your schedule.
Simpson Housing ServicesBell House2100 Pillsbury Ave SMinneapolis, MN 55404
December 15, 2020
N/A