Homeless Shelter for Families I People Serving People – Minneapolis, MN

Homeless Shelter for Families I People Serving People – Minneapolis, MN
Until
Every Family
Has What They Need
People Serving People’s commitment to families goes beyond what they need to get through today, this week, or this month. Families deserve more than a quick, temporary fix—they deserve a future where they will thrive and never experience homelessness again. That’s why we won’t stop supporting families and advocating for systems change until every family has what they need.
Give & Get Involved
We are
People Serving People
Supporting families since 1982
We support families navigating housing instability by providing essential shelter and meals, facilitating housing stabilization, nurturing early childhood education, and advocating for transformative systems change.
WHAT WE DO
Shelters & Supportive Housing
Programs & Services
Early Learning Program
Advocacy & Systems Change
About
family homelessness
Every family deserves a safe and
stable home
Many mistakenly believe that only single adults experience homelessness. The reality is that on any given night in the United States, nearly 60,000 families experience homelessness. The causes and impacts of—and solutions to ending—family homelessness also differ from those of single adults. Homelessness disrupts every aspect of a family’s life and is a source of enduring trauma. Among other things, it interferes with the education and development of our youngest community members, our children.
Why support
People Serving People?
Learn more about our outcomes, our impact, and who we serve.
OUR IMPACT
441 Families
sheltered & supported
95% of Families
we served did not return to shelter within one year
63% of Our Guests
were children under 18
138 Children
participated in our early learning programs
OUR IMPACT
Life can be hard. So many people are one paycheck away from being homeless. But even in the hardest of times, we chose to be positive and work to rebuild our lives. Our advocates were there to provide the help we needed to do that.
Alie
- mother, fiancé, former guest, 2025
Our
news
Get our latest news, commentary, and thought leadership
Minnesota foster youth call on state lawmakers to stop seizing their federal benefits
April 9, 2026
People Serving People Supports Passage of Survivor Benefits Bill
April 7. 2026
Should there be an "Eviction Pause" in Minneapolis?
March 25, 2026
Why Renters Harmed by the ICE Surge Need Time and Money
March 23, 2026
Hoang Murphy Interview: Mayor Frey Proposes $1M in rental assistance
March 11, 2026
Cheryl Paynes, Director of St. Anne's Place, on CityCast Twin Cities
February 25, 2026
Hoang Murphy, CEO, on Drivetime with DeRusha
February 16, 2026
Minneapolis shelter vandalized more than year ago asked for leniency for attacker as it mends
February 9, 2026
Keeping Families Housed: Rental assistance not eviction moratoriums
February 4, 2026
People Serving People Honors and Demands Justice for Alex Pretti
January 26, 2026
Punishing Poverty: The Rising Cascade of Harms
January 22, 2026
People Serving People Stands with All Minnesotans Demanding Justice for Renee Good
January 8, 2026
Emergency housing fills as more seek shelter
December 12, 2025
How a group is helping people experiencing homelessness have their voices heard
October 29, 2025
Punishing Poverty, Part Three: Cuts to SNAP
October 22, 2025
Minneapolis' model anti-homelessness program faces "fiscal cliff"
October 14, 2025
Experts warn of rising dehumanization of unhoused community, impact of federal cuts
September 20, 2025
Support your
community
Learn how you can give, get involved, and raise your voice for our families
Donate
Donate
Invest in families. Invest in children. Invest in your neighbors.
Volunteer
Volunteer
Share your time. Share your talents. Share your love for your community.
Advocate
Advocate
Raise your hand. Raise your voice. Advocate for the families in your community.
Connect
Connect
Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay in the loop on how to support families.
Angie Johnson
Chief Advancement Officer
ajohnson@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0256
Angie Johnson brings nearly 20 years of nonprofit development experience, grounded in a deep commitment to mission-driven work. Most recently, she served as Director of Capital Development and Investor Relations at Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and Associate Vice President of Development Operations at CommonBond Communities, where she was a key leader for their recent $65 million comprehensive campaign. Angie brings a wealth of expertise in community-centric development strategy and operations, pairing strong relationship building with clear KPI tracking to help teams measure progress, improve performance, and align with organizational goals.
Angie earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Communication and a master’s degree in Management from The College of St. Scholastica. A champion napper, she also loves working on arts and crafts with her daughter, walking her two puggles, reading the latest bestseller, traveling, and enjoying a well-timed snack.
Casey Niemeyer
Major Gift Officer
cniemeyer@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0221
Casey is a mission-driven fundraiser committed to advancing equity through meaningful, community-centered, trust-based relationships. She is passionate about engaging donors and community members to support families working toward stability and long-term housing. Her work is grounded in the belief that philanthropy should amplify community voice and be rooted in dignity, partnership, and shared purpose.
Casey began her career in Youth and Family Ministry
before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, where she helped strengthen organizations’ operations and community engagement initiatives. Prior to joining People Serving People, Casey served as an Individual Giving Officer at Common Hope, partnering with supporters to expand access to education, housing, healthcare, and family development programs for students and families experiencing poverty in Guatemala.
As a graduate of Viterbo University with a B.A. in Religious Studies and double minors in Theatre and Arts Management, Casey brings both heart and strategy to her work. She is known for being proactive, empathetic, and intentional—always striving to uplift the voices of those most impacted by injustice.
Outside of work, Casey enjoys walking along the many of lakes in Minnesota with her husband and dog, traveling to National Parks, thrifting, savoring a Miel at Twin Cities coffee shops, attending live music, and curling up with her Kindle and a cozy blanket.
Jasmine Castañeda
Donor Relations Associate
As a Donor Relations Associate, Jasmine project manages events, communications, and 1:1 donor stewardship. Jasmine is fueled by her childhood experience of living in numerous shelters throughout the country, and her belief in being a good neighbor to those within our community. She has a wide range of experience in development work and digital communications.
When she’s not at work, Jasmine enjoys reading, spending time with family, and cooking.
Marcus Barrios
HR Implementation Director
mbarrios@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0263
Marcus Barrios is the HR Implementation Director at People Serving People. Before joining PSP, Marcus built his career in charter schools, serving in HR and operational leadership roles that strengthened organizational systems and supported mission-driven teams. He is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis.
Outside of work, Marcus enjoys traveling with his family, listening to Springsteen, and making a good espresso.
Nolan Isaacson
Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator
nisaacson@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0246
Nolan joined People Serving People in January of 2025. He came to us with several years of volunteer management experience through various organizations including HandsOn Twin Cities, PRISM (People Responding in Social Ministry), and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Nolan is also a University of Minnesota alumni with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
Having started his career through volunteerism, Nolan is passionate about social services and loves to leverage connections with others who want to share their time, talents, and expertise towards missions that are critical to our community.
Outside of work, Nolan loves to spend his free time hiking all the lakes the Twin Cities has to offer. He is a passionate parrot owner and will take his companion outdoors with him in a harness when the weather permits! He also has a variety of hobbies including aquascaping, drawing, billiards, reading, and indulging in video games.
Denyse Johnson
Institutional Giving Manager
denyse.johnson@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0224
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Denyse Johnson is an innovative and forward-thinking community member who leverages her experience in communications, data collection, project support, and community relations to intentionally build strong relationships and foster equitable opportunities. Her commitment is to enhance community well-being through impactful initiatives in housing, education, wealth building, and career development.
Denyse graduated from Metropolitan State University with a BA in Organizational Communications and a minor in Ethnic Studies. Before joining People Serving People in November 2024, she worked with other community non-profits that were centered around economic stability and youth engagement. She prides herself on working in the community of Minneapolis and will always strive to make it the best community to live in for marginalized people.
Denyse enjoys advocating for the overlooked and is happy to be back in her home driving change after having lived in Charlotte, NC for three years. In her free time, she enjoys going to watch local musicians perform, attending community festivals, traveling with her son, and enjoying her favorite place—Como Park Conservatory.
Sajinee Fernando
Major Gifts Officer
sfernando@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0209
Sajinee is a
community-centered fundraiser and connector, building and deepening collaboration across the community to support those with the most need. The core of everything she does is in improving the human experience, individually and collectively.
She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts and the College of Design with an Individualized Degree in Psychology, English and Design Studies with a focus in User Experience applied to inter and intra human experiences. Her career started in Employee Relations and retention work, then transitioned into fundraising in major giving at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for 6 years before starting at People Serving People in 2024.
When Sajinee isn’t working, she enjoys spending her time writing, drawing, dancing, crocheting, and consuming all things science fiction and fantasy.
Kenzie Maybrun
Development Operations Specialist
Kmaybrun@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0258
Kenzie Maybrun is the Development Operations Specialist at People Serving People, where she tracks data for the Development team and translates it into actionable insights. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and is a certified Salesforce administrator.
Kenzie’s goals are always to use data and analytics to assist her team members in making the best decisions possible to support our shelters. When she isn’t deep in an Excel spreadsheet, you can find her on the golf course or petting her cats.
Kathy Moe
Advancement Associate of Volunteering for St. Anne's Place
Kmoe@peopleservingpeople.org
763-326-1347, ext. 209
Kathy Moe is the Advancement Associate of Volunteering for St. Anne’s Place and has coordinated the St. Anne’s Place volunteer program since 2017. She is grateful to work with volunteers and donors to support the families at People Serving People and is appreciative of how the community continues to step up to fight homelessness and create systemic change. Connecting volunteers to opportunities to create change is the perfect fit for her goal of making the biggest impact possible using each volunteer’s unique skills and interests to serve People Serving People’s families with dignity.
Kathy holds a BA in psychology from St. Olaf College and a MS in Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Public Policy & Management. She has spent decades managing volunteer programs throughout the Midwest.
In her free time, Kathy enjoys time with her family, traveling, cooking, being active, and spending time near the water.
Elaina Barbieri
Communications Coordinator
ebarbieri@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0223
Elaina is passionate about uplifting her community and amplifying People Serving People’s work through ethical storytelling and community-centric fundraising. She uses her love of writing to encourage others to stand up for their neighbors and challenge the systemic inequities that perpetuate homelessness.
Before joining People Serving People in 2021, Elaina served a year in the AmeriCorps program as a Marketing and Communications AmeriCorps VISTA for Aeon, a local housing non-profit. She graduated from Carroll University in 2019 with a degree in Political Science and Professional Writing, alongside a double minor in Marketing and Communications. During her time in college, Elaina interned with her alma mater’s marketing team and supervised University events as a student worker. She is thrilled to use her professional and educational experience to advocate for the needs of families.
When she’s not working, Elaina is either hanging out with her cat or focused on her plethora of hobbies. These include rock climbing, jiu jitsu, archery, reading, playing video games, backpacking, rollerblading, and hanging out at arcades.
Cheryl Paynes
Director of St. Anne's Place
cpaynes@peopleservingpeople.org
763-326-1333
Cheryl Paynes is the Director of St. Anne’s Place at People Serving People. With more than 15 years of experience in Human Services, Cheryl has devoted her career to supporting families experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Her background includes work as a domestic violence advocate, housing specialist and case manager, as well as serving families through Section 8 and Public Housing programs.
Throughout her career, Cheryl has been a strong advocate for equity, dignity, and empowerment. Her passion lies in helping individuals and families overcome barriers, achieve stability, and reach their personal and professional goals.
Melia Smith
Interim Director of Development
melia.smith@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0230
Melia Smith is a community-driven fundraiser with a focus on establishing, analyzing, and overhauling fundraising operations and community-centered funding strategies. Her fundraising praxis is rooted in justice, and she does her best work when she gets opportunities to blend traditional and grassroots fundraising practices to advance equitable philanthropic practices.
Melia graduated from Pepperdine University with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Social Work. Before joining People Serving People in July of 2025, she has worked the spectrum of development roles at a variety of social service nonprofits, including Andre House, a homeless services agency in Phoenix, AZ, and two Feeding America food banks: Three Square in Las Vegas, NV, and United Food Bank in Mesa, AZ.
Melia is an organizer, artist, and community ed enthusiast, and moved to St. Paul from Phoenix, AZ in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys petting every dog she meets, taking long walks along the Mississippi River Trail, and giving unsolicited pop culture commentary.
Kristen Wheeler Highland
Director of Early Childhood Education
kwheelerhighland@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0241
Kristen Wheeler Highland is a veteran Early Childhood/School Age professional with many years of experience both in direct service and in the role of consultant/ coach for providers, programs, and staff. Throughout her career, Kristen has held many positions within the field. Currently, Kristen is the Director of Early Childhood Education with People Serving People.
Her broad experiences in early childhood settings and leadership roles have brought with them an appreciation for the rich depth and diversity of settings available for children and their families. Kristen utilizes her past experiences to inform the topics she researches and speaks on. Kristen’s speaking and training style is laid back and approachable, infusing humor and stories from her own life and experiences. In her (rare but cherished) spare time, Kristen enjoys basking in nature, exploring new crafts, and spoiling her grandchildren.
Kristin Smith
Scheduler and Project Specialist
kristin.Smith@peopleservingpeople.org
612-227-0233
Kristin Smith is the Scheduler and Project Specialist who supports the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team in their planning and execution of executive-level meetings and events. Before joining People Serving People, Kristin provided project management and consultation support across academia, nonprofits, aviation, and publishing. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literary Studies at Georgia State University and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University.
When she’s not working or binge-watching Star Trek, Kristin volunteers with her congregation to promote the communal unity, compassion, and empathy that serve as recurring themes in her manuscripts.
Alain Kpela
Controller
Alain Kpela
is a
proven financial leader
with over 15 years of experience in nonprofit and grant-based accounting, financial operations, and strategic resource management. As Controller at
People Serving People
, he oversees finance and accounting functions, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and alignment with the organization’s mission to support families experiencing homelessness.
Prior to joining People Serving People, Alain held key financial leadership roles at US Math Recovery Council, Avivo, and the YWCA of Minneapolis, where he led initiatives in ERP implementation, audit readiness, budgeting, forecasting and internal controls. His work has consistently driven operational efficiency and strengthened financial stewardship across diverse nonprofit environments.
He holds an MBA from Metropolitan State University and a master’s in economics from the University of Lomé. Fluent in French, Alain brings a global perspective and analytical rigor to his work. His collaborative leadership style is grounded in integrity and a strong commitment to community, reflected in his long-standing volunteer service as a treasurer and finance committee member for faith-based organizations.
Outside of work, Alain enjoys cycling, amateur photography, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Shalonda Flowers
Director of Shelter Services & Family Wellness
sflowers@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0237
Shalonda Flowers is the
Director of Shelter Services & Family Wellness
at People Serving People. She has years of experience serving families who navigate systems involving housing and financial instability. She is passionate about building trauma-informed, person-centered services that foster stability, resilience, and long-term well-being. Shalonda has a strong background in crisis response and family programs.
Prior to joining People Serving People in March 2024, Shalonda served as Director of Youth and Family Services at Minnesota Associations for Children’s Mental Health. She also served at The Union Gospel Mission, where she held multiple roles from 2009 to 2022. Her final role at UGM was Director of Programs.
Shalonda has worked with families for over 25 years. She studied at Concordia University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Learning and Development and a master’s degree specializing in Educational Leadership. Her focus is on establishing relationships that are fostered by demonstrating authenticity, developing mutual trust, and genuinely caring for those she is fortunate to work with.
Grace Rieck
Senior Director of Enterprise Operations
grieck@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0205
Grace Rieck is the Senior Director of Enterprise Operations at People Serving People, where she joined the team in July 2022. She believes that every human has the right to quality housing, and she strives to dismantle systems of oppression at play in our work. In her role at People Serving People, Grace supports operations across all PSP sites and leads large building-related projects.
Grace attended Arizona State University for Violin Performance. Her career has included a variety of roles in residential remodeling and nonprofit leadership. In her spare time, you can find her playing social sports and cooking fun meals.
Laurel Lilligren
Director of Family Supports
llilligren@peopleservingpeople.org
612-252-4027
Laurel Lilligren is the Director of Family Supports at People Serving People. She knows the power and impact of strong support systems. She is fortunate in her role to be able to help develop, implement, and work to continually improve programs that provide wrap-around supports for families experiencing housing instability.
Laurel’s career began at People Serving People in 2009, starting as an intern and working in varied direct service roles within the department she now leads. She sits on several committees, including the Hennepin County Coordinated Entry Leadership Committee and the Hennepin County Healthcare for the Homeless Board. Laurel has a Bachelor of Science in Family Social Science and a minor in Family Violence Prevention from the University of Minnesota and a Mini-MBA for Nonprofit Organizations Certificate from the University of St. Thomas.
Outside of work at PSP, Laurel enjoys hiking and paddleboarding with her partner, binge-watching reality TV, and going on solo trips to recharge.
Kenneth Smith
Director of Belonging
ksmith@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0243
Kenneth Smith is People Serving People’s Director of Belonging. He is an experienced Human Resource Professional with expertise in profit and non-profit operations, compliance, and the administration of local, state, and federal residential laws. Kenneth earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance from Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Kenneth is committed to empowering individuals, communities, and organizations. For over 30 years, he has responded to individuals in the community who have been impacted by systems of oppression, loss of family members, housing, employment, education, and dreams. Kenneth is a beacon of light in the way he listens, asks questions, and reassures individuals and communities to respond and rise above life challenges. His strong negotiation skills and sound judgment are exemplary.
Ken’s experience in mending and building healthy teams and individuals is steeped in his wisdom and hope for humanity. He is competent in designing and facilitating training for all sectors—an effective consultant for both employees and employers.
When he isn’t hard at work at PSP, Kenneth spends time spoiling his grandchildren, volunteering at church, and training his dog.
Jen Gehrig
Director of Communications
jgehrig@peopleservingpeople.org
612-790-4164
Jen Gehrig joined People Serving People as the Director of Communications in May of 2025. She began her career as a court advocate for women and their children escaping domestic violence in Illinois. After practicing law for several years, Jen transitioned to higher education administration at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She served as the Assistant Dean for the School of Education until 2013, when she became the Director of Marketing for the university, a position she held until joining People Serving People.
Jen attended Hamline University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy. She then obtained her JD from Hamline’s School of Law. Additionally, Jen holds an MA in Theology with a certificate in Spiritual Direction from St. Catherine University.
Throughout her career, Jen has been an advocate, a listener, and a storyteller. She uses her passion for storytelling—and her love for the Oxford comma—to amplify the voices of the families as well as the amazing partnerships that staff, donors, and volunteers build with the families served by People Serving People. Outside of work, Jen enjoys spending time with her husband and furry family (a dog and two cats), being outdoors, a great book, and searching for vintage treasures.
Amanda Finman-Palmer
Director of Advancement
afinmanpalmer@peopleservingpeople.org
612.277.0256
Amanda is the Director of Advancement at People Serving People. She entered the fundraising and nonprofit space in college, leading her college’s Habitat for Humanity Chapter. That experience launched her 15-year career delving into building partnerships with community members, neighbors, and volunteers to solve community challenges together. After graduating, she served for two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA working on behalf of schools, then transitioned to corporate relations and major giving at Augsburg University. Most recently, she served as the Development & Communications Director at Children’s Law Center of Minnesota. Amanda is passionate about racial justice, LGBT rights, and creating a more just and equitable community for all. You can find her reading, making art, baking, getting outside, especially in the Minnesota summers, spending time with her wife, Aliya, and pup Linus.
Charlotte Kinzley
Chief Program Officer
ckinzley@peopleservingpeople.org
Charlotte Kinzley is the Chief Program Officer of People Serving People. Charlotte has spent over 25 years working in Minneapolis shelters, transitional housing facilities, and schools to support the growth and resilience of young people who have experienced homelessness. She believes in the power of education and the importance of equitable practices in all spaces where young people live and learn.
Before joining People Serving People in September 2025, Charlotte served as the Director of Homeless/Highly Mobile Student Support Services at Minneapolis Public Schools, where she helped launch Stable Homes Stable Schools, an innovative cross-sector program designed to end homelessness for students in MPS. Before her MPS role, she worked at Mary’s Place, where she created and led family advocacy and literacy interventions.
Outside of her role at PSP, Charlotte loves to spend time with her partner, three young adult children, and her dog. Cooking, meditation and yoga, painting, and spending time in nature fill her cup and keep her grounded.
Bob-e Simpson Epps
Chief People & Culture Officer
bsimpsonepps@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0225
Bob-e Simpson Epps, Founder/CEO BASE Consulting, Sr. Advisor Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, University of MN Interdisciplinary Research Project, EDI TF, CAAB, Restorative Justice, SPARK, committee member, and Sr. Director People & Culture, People Serving People, Minnesota.
She has spent a lifetime working to enhance the operations and effectiveness of organizations in both the public and private sectors. Her commitment is to build strong, healthy, and resilient communities, engaging all in conversations to build and sustain diverse environments, leading to the extraction of knowledge, wisdom, and reflection of self and others. Much of her work focuses on issues of relationship building, intergenerational connection, human connection, race, racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Bob-e is an author, public speaker, life coach, focused on relational leadership practices, restorative justice, human resources, trauma, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, Art of Hosting, organizational development, strategic planning, evaluation, and humanness.
Jake Gale
Chief Operating Officer
jgale@peopleservingpeople.org
612-277-0217
Jake Gale is People Serving People’s Chief Operating Officer. He has been with People Serving People since 2014, previously serving as the Resident Resources Manager and Director of Operations. Before joining People Serving People, Jake served for 12 years with the U.S. Department of Defense, managing operations and teams in a variety of locations both at home and abroad. Jake earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa and a Master of Arts from Georgetown University. Jake is passionate about his family and his work, and has too many hobbies to be particularly good at any of them.
Hoang Murphy
Chief Executive Officer
hmurphy@peopleservingpeople.org
Hoang Murphy is the Chief Executive Officer of People Serving People. Hoang knows from lived experience the impact that housing instability and homelessness have on families. He imagines a world where every family has what they need to thrive. As CEO of People Serving People, Hoang leads a strategic framework that places family voices at the center of the work.
Before joining People Serving People in October 2023, Hoang served as the Executive Director of Foster Advocates, which he founded to address the lack of advocacy organizations working to improve the foster care space in Minnesota. Hoang was the 2023 University of Minnesota Child Welfare Change Maker award recipient, a 2022 Bush Foundation Fellow, the 2021 CCAI Angel in Adoption awardee, and served as the 2016 Public Policy Fellow with the United States Department of Education. Hoang is a proud new American and first-generation college graduate with a BA in Policy Studies from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University.
When Hoang isn’t tackling systemic issues with his team, he’s busy finding the best bánh mì, adding to his Lego collection, and walking his dogs Mapo Tofu and Ginger.