Families are referred to People Serving People by Hennepin County. PSP also accepts "walk-in", self-paying clients. Self-pays are those persons who are homeless and do not meet the county criteria for service, but who have another source of support, such as funding from another agency, social security, wages from a job, etc.

When a family arrives, they are required to complete an assessment and meet with an advocate who helps them set goals. Our programs, which include 21 collaborative partners, generate the best practices aimed at fostering resilience in children whose families are suffering from homelessness and poverty.

We offer a common-sense, holistic approach to moving families back into their own homes. On-site services include: a pre-school and infant/toddler childcare center, medical clinic, housing & employment center, job training center, mental health & counseling services, computer labs, libraries, and a cafeteria.

Emergency Housing – There are 99 emergency housing rooms at People Serving People. Most of our guests are referred to PSP for emergency housing. The average stay for a guest is 28 days.

Guest Services – Guest services operates much like a hotel concierge where messages and mail are kept and basic need items are always available. During a families stay guests are given "move-in" baskets which include cleaning supplies, hygiene products, items for their children like diapers, formula and games/books specifically used to initiate family-time. Families are also given "move-out" baskets consisting of items one would need when moving into an apartment (cleaning supplies, kitchenware, linens, etc.).

Security – We provide 24-hour security for our guests and staff; maintaining our pledge to provide a safe and sober environment for all who enter our "home".

Advocacy – The Advocate Program provides information on all services offered at PSP. Within forty-eight hours of registering at PSP, each family, single adult or unaccompanied youth is scheduled for an interview with a family advocate. On-site and community services available to each family are presented in a comfortable, one-on-one environment. During this time, the family is given a brief tour of the facility, with emphasis placed on services specific to that guests needs - which are as unique as they are. Each family, with staff guidance, develops realistic short-term and long-term goals. To promote the completion of these goals, our program offers on-site training in the areas of life skills (coping skills, community connections, money management, budgeting, resume writing and interviewing workshops) in an attempt to give them the best possible opportunity for success once they move into their own community and home.

Supportive Housing Program – Many extensive and intensive efforts take place to assist residents in emergency shelter. There are, however, even greater opportunities to help families when a longer-term contact with them is possible. With the space and ability to operate a Supportive Housing program, PSP is now able to work with 10 families with multi-level barriers an unlimited timeline.

People Serving People has 10 two-bedroom apartments. Residents of these apartments pay reduced-rate rents for their space and can avail themselves of the services offered by the on-site collaborative agencies. In addition, Supportive Housing residents are provided free telephone service, laundry facilities, utilities, furniture and appliances, and are able to provide and cook their own meals and provide supplies necessary for personal needs and apartment upkeep.

The purpose of the Supportive Housing program is to help families establish a solid foundation of good rental history, employment, education, and family stability.

Employment Assistance – Having the skills to find a job and successfully apply and get hired is the focus of the Employment Assistance Program. The Employment Coordinator meets one-on-one with clients to create or edit a resume and conduct job searches. After the appointment is made, the client is given a sample job application. The application is used to help create a resume and a reference guide that the client can use when filling out job applications.

During the appointment, the Employment Coordinator and the client discuss the client's work history, what he or she would like to do in the future and what steps need to be taken to get there. If the client does not have e-mail the Employment Coordinator will set up a free account and instruct the client how to check and use it. Next, they work together to create a resume. When finished, the resume is saved on a disk that the client will keep. The Employment Coordinator reviews various job sites and assists him or her to apply for jobs and register for updates.

Technology Center – Families use the Technology Center as a resource for job searches, resume writing, e-mail access and homework assignments. Individuals seeking to enhance their computer skills are offered classes in the Client Technology Enhancement Program. The Technology Center is open six days a week and serves to close the gap in communication access between residents and the online world.

The Client Technology Enhancement Program was made possible by the contributions of the following companies:

• Microsoft Corporation
• IBM
• Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
• Piper Jaffray
• Edina Realty
• The Best Buy Children's Foundation

Education & Activities Program – The Education & Activities Program creates activity programs for children ages three to seventeen. The program divides it services and activities into three major areas: 1) preschool programming; 2) education programming; 3) family programming;

Programs are provided seven days a week for the children and families. Programs change with the seasons and the children's school schedule. During the summer months, morning programs are offered, along with extended afternoon and evening programs and the number of field trips is increased.

Education & Activity programs offer children suffering from homelessness and their families, the opportunities to enjoy new experiences, interact with their peers, develop leisure and social skills and positive interaction with adult staff members and volunteers in a safe and secure environment. Three primary objectives of the programs are to empower children and adolescents in areas of personal development, building positive self-esteem and self-image and building the family experience through positive, educational and recreational activity.

Children's Infant Center – Opening in April, 2008...

Children's Center – The Children's Center is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota Institute for Child Development and People Serving People, Inc. The Center for Children's Center is a program for toddler's ages 16 months to up to four years. This is a licensed facility allowing parents to access an on-site childcare and learning center for their toddlers.

The center is run by licensed early childhood educators who work with both the parent and the child to educate them on best practices. During the center hours, the teacher facilitates creativity, games, housekeeping, blocks, science and sensory, and cognitive and language arts. The center provides parent and child education for homeless and mobile families while also developing and evaluating innovative practices for mobile families. The program also focuses on connecting mobile families with community resources.

Children's Center Statement of Philosophy – The People Serving People Children's Center is a year-round program that provides early learning classes. Our program honors the developing child through encouraging and guiding social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth. We provide an environment where the joy of learning is enhanced. Our center provides a physically safe, emotionally secure, and intellectually stimulating environment where children can explore and experiment with a variety of materials in a supportive, confidence-building atmosphere.

We support the whole child concept of development based on the premise that quality care, protection and developmentally appropriate education must be interwoven. Understanding that children live in a diverse and complex world, teachers strive to integrate a multi-cultural, anti-biased approach to curriculum planning.

Children's Pre-School Center – The preschool program is designed for children ages 3-5. The program incorporates skill building in the areas of large and fine motor, cognition, language, art, sensory, and dramatic play. The program also stresses positive reinforcement, sharing, and respectful communication with others. Each session consists of two parts. The first hour is a structure time in which the mentioned skill areas are exercised. Although there is room for creative expression in the structured hour, children engage in free play for the second hour. Free play allows children to interact with their peers in a safe atmosphere; this is precious time to children in difficult transition.

The program also offers parents the opportunity to search for housing or go on job interviews knowing their children are safe and cared for.

Tutoring Program – The General Tutoring Program is for children in grades K-12. This program is offered three nights a week during the school year and on an as needed basis by request of parents. Volunteer tutors work one on one with students residing at People Serving People.

The students are able to work on homework or get tutored in subjects where they struggle. Tutoring sessions include homework, educational games, grade appropriate worksheets, reading, writing, or computers. With the one on one attention or in small group settings, the child is also improving social skills, self-esteem, and confidence. After each tutoring session, the tutor meets with the student's parent to discuss the progress of the student and what the parent can do to continue the learning process.

The Community Tutoring Program is supervised by the People Serving People Tutoring Associate. Individual families have the opportunity to schedule an appointment with the Tutoring Program Associate. During the meeting, they discuss the academic and social needs of their child. They also work with the associate to complete an Individual Learning Plan. After the initial meeting, the Tutoring associate coordinates with the parent to make sure the child attends the General Tutoring Program.

The child is placed with a volunteer tutor who is able to assess the student and work on the academic and social needs addressed by the parent. During their stay, the tutoring associate will follow up with the parent periodically. The tutoring associate also follows the progress of the student with the tutor. When a family is ready to move out of People Serving People, they schedule an exit interview with the tutoring associate. Each family will receive resources for tutoring programs outside People Serving People in both the Minneapolis and St. Paul School district.

Children's Field Trips – Field Trips are offered to children ages 3 to 17. PSP staff plans both educational and recreational field trips. Field trips include places such as: The Children's Museum, Underwater Adventures, French Park, The Science Museum, Minnesota Zoo, and many more. Outdoor trips give children staying at People Serving People a chance to go to places and try things they may not have had the opportunity to do before.

Elementary/Teen General Activities – The Elementary/Teen Recreational Activities is for children ages 6 to 17. They are offered during the summer session and on school release days. A staff member plans a general activity that could include art, board games, puzzles, movies, or bingo. The Elementary/Teen activity allows children to interact with their peers in a safe atmosphere.

The Family/Adult Activities are offered for any family or adult currently residing at People Serving People. The activities give parents and their children a chance to work together to create an art project, play a game or watch a movie in a safe environment. The program gives the families a chance to take a break from their everyday stresses and enjoy spending time together. The Adult activity is an activity for any person staying at People Serving People 18 or older. The activities include art projects, game nights, discussion groups, yoga and movies.

Facilities Training Program – This new program consists of a 12-week structured, hands-on learning process covering Maintenance, Housekeeping and getting their boilers certificate. Areas of training include Electrical, Plumbing, General Building, Maintenance and Housekeeping. Each discipline has its own module, so students can learn at their own pace. The final test entails the students to take the lead in receiving service calls at People Serving People for one day.


Culinary Arts Training Program – The Culinary Arts Training Program gave me the tools and confidence to succeed." Jessica Cooper - graduate of the Kitchen Training Program and baker at the Franklin Street Bakery.

(Photo at right) People Serving People Food Service Manager Mike Seiler (left) and Asst. Manager, David Paetznick (right) visit Kitchen Training graduate, Jessica Cooper at the Franklin Street Bakery.

People Serving People is proud to offer the Culinary Arts Training Program, a progressive program that offers specific skills to those interested in culinary arts. Students train for twelve weeks in areas of sanitation, food preparation, roasting, baking, sautéing, equipment, soups and more.

Upon completion each graduate is given a uniform, cookbook, a set of industrial kitchen knives and a certificate. More importantly, they are given an opportunity to earn a livable wage.