Street Voices of Change (SVoC) is a group of individuals who have current or past personal experiences with homelessness who come together to build community and make positive changes in the lives of people experiencing homelessness and the systems that contribute to and keep people in homelessness.
SVoC started in September of 2016 with a dozen folks in one church and has since grown to include multiple meetings at different member congregations of Align Minneapolis. The meetings are places where people invest in and empower each other to build a loving community that recognizes the trauma of homelessness and seeks to restore dignity in every aspect of the experience.
Street Voices of Change is a place that builds power among people who are too often punished for speaking up for themselves. In large supportive groups, Street Voices members have created spaces where their voice and input are not only heard, but sought out. Working together, SVoC continues to elevate the agency of people experiencing homelessness to positively affect their circumstances.
Our Vision
Elevate the voices of people with lived experiences of homelessness so all are equal partners in shaping the current experience of homelessness and ending it in the future
Our Mission
To build community and create spaces that honor the experiences of homelessness, and work for positive changes towards that experience in Minneapolis and across Minnesota
Our Goals
SHARE: Pass knowledge and experiences to open opportunities for those still in homelessness
EDUCATE: Hear from, and inform, the public and those in positions of power related to homelessness
ADVOCATE: Create positive change in all circles that impact homelessness
FOSTER: Broaden empathy and breakdown stigmas for those experiencing homelessness
SUPPORT: Build loving communities that honor, empower, and lift-up the experiences of homelessness
TRANSFORM: Empower everyone experiencing homelessness to find and keep stable housing
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Street Voices of Change!
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Weekly Meetings
Central Lutheran Church
Thursdays from 8:30am-10am *NO MEETING THURSDAY MARCH 27th
333 12th St. South, Minneapolis, 55404
Meal is from 8:30-9am. Enter on the parking lot side of building facing freeway.
Basilica of St. Mary
Fridays from 8:30am-10am *NO MEETING FRIDAY APRIL 18th
1600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 55403
Meal is from 8:30-9am. Enter at the door under the left of the grand stairs and go downstairs to the large hall.
Congratulations to Street Voices of Change on the honor of winning the Northern Light Award for Inspiring Organizational Leadership at the 2023 Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference!
The Northern Light Award shines a light on organizations that are making significant contributions to advancing housing stability in Minnesota.
Street Voices of Change Resource Sheet
This one-page resource sheet was developed by Street Voices of Change Basilica group to be used to empower people experiencing homelessness to find the help they need. This is great information to know to direct people to the resources in our community.
SVoC 2024 Accomplishments
For 2024, Street Voices of Change held two weekly meetings, and total attendance ranged from 20-60 people weekly. SVoC Leadership met monthly to provide leadership for the group, make decisions on goals, plan for events and speaking engagements, work on fundraising, and oversee the budget.
Street Voices of Change Speaker’s Bureau members participated in numerous speaking engagements throughout the year to tell their stories and share about the work of Street Voices of Change. These speaking engagements included forums at Align member congregations, staff training for a local service provider, and other community settings.
Six SVoC members attended the week-long Midwest Academy Organizing Training in January to learn how to effectively do organizing work.
Street Voices advocated at the State Legislature for important policies including a state-wide standard for shelter and funding for homeless response services. Efforts included endorsing legislation, sending letters of support for committee hearing bills, and lobbying at Homeless Day on the Hill.
In the summer, SVoC hosted a BBQ at Loring Park and grilled steaks, burgers and hot dogs for the community.
Street Voices of Change Thursday group trained shelter staff from one adult shelter on the Shelter Residents’ Bill of Rights and got commitments from those staff to uphold the Shelter Residents’ Bill of Rights.
Street Voices of Change Friday group completed health trainings on how to manage chronic health conditions and on nutrition and its impact on health.
Street Voices of Change celebrated their 8th anniversary in September and had an anniversary party to celebrate!
Street Voices of Change, along with Align Minneapolis, presented at the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference in September. The session was entitled “A Foundation of Collaboration- Street Voices of Change & Align Minneapolis: Centering the voices of people with lived experience in our work together to address homelessness” and the group shared about their work to make change in their community.
SVoC provided advice and guidance to Hennepin County on expanding winter warming options and participated in the RFP process to decide on providers for winter warming options.
SVoC members participated in initiatives led by external partners including Hennepin County Housing Shelter Efficiency Meetings and the Heading Home Hennepin Executive Committee.
