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The Annual Simpson Family Housing Summer Barbeque was held on Monday, June 19 from 6 to 8 pm at Martin Luther King Park in south Minneapolis. Over 90 adults and children from the Transitional Housing and Rental Assistance Programs joined in on the fun. The event opened with outdoor games and activities for the kids and time for the parents to socialize.
"The Annual BBQ is a wonderful opportunity for families, Simpson volunteers, and staff to get to know one another better in a fun and carefree environment (while at the same time celebrating the end of a successful school year). This event also allows the children time to play games and enjoy spending time outdoors." –Janelle Leppa, Simpson Family Housing Manager
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“Parents
enjoy coming to our annual BBQs because we provide a safe, fun,
and free setting for them to have quality family time with their
children. They also get the opportunity to mingle with other parents
in the family housing programs. “Many of our families met
each other while they were staying in community homeless shelters.
Often when they come to family housing events they run into past
friends and quickly become reacquainted through hugs, tears, and
stories of their experiences since their time spent in shelters,”
said Quendy Raymond, Simpson Rental Assistance Program Manager.
A
barbeque dinner was prepared on site and served by friends from
Cargill (a huge thank you to these folks!) including chicken and
hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, watermelon, and brownies. "We
are so fortunate to have our Cargill volunteers. They bring an ambitious
and thoughtful attitude to the barbeque meal. They rent an enormous
grill, cook the food to perfection, and even bring aluminum foil
so families can take leftovers home," Christina Giese,
Simpson Volunteer Manager tells us.
Twenty
of the kids received a certificate for 95% or greater attendance
for the school year (big round of applause) and one of the parents
was recognized for receiving their GED. Rachel Kuehl, Simpson Education
Support Advocate reports: "Both the kids and their parents
worked very hard at keeping their attendance 95% or higher and I
am extremely proud of the families that achieved this goal."
Additional outdoor fun and activities rounded out the event.