Founded in 1976, Perspectives, Inc. is an award-winning human service program.  As a multi-service agency, Perspectives addresses our society’s most pressing issues:  homelessness, poverty, addiction, mental illness, poor nutrition, and lack of access to services.  Though these issues can have a tremendous impact on both genders, Perspectives’ specific target population is mothers and their children. 

Today:  Perspectives is the largest therapeutic supportive housing program for women and children in Minnesota, housing over 75 women and over 130 children annually.  Our services are extensive and span from recovery and mental health programs for both women and children to job readiness and parenting education.  Perspectives is distinctive in that few, if any, other supportive housing programs provide in-house, 12-month, comprehensive out-of-school academic, social, and nutritional enrichment for the children living in the program.   

Perspectives'​ Mission: Empowering mothers. Rebuilding families.

1. To provide trauma-informed supportive housing for homeless, recovering mothers and their children. 
2. To improve the mental health and sobriety outcomes for homeless, dual-diagnosed mothers and their child(ren). 
3. To improve the nutritional health of homeless and at-risk families and children living within the City of St. Louis Park and Perspectives’ Supportive Housing community. 
4. To improve the academic and social adjustment skills of homeless and at-risk children grades K-8 in our Kids Connection Program. 
5. To ensure healthy births for babies born while their mothers are living in Perspectives’ Supportive Housing Program. 
6. To ensure that infants and toddlers living in Perspectives Supportive Housing community have healthy environments in which to thrive.

Health Care

Humanitarian

Non Profit

Rehabilitation

Social Impact

Perspectives

Melissa Martinez - Sones

Rae Lesmeister

Kelly Merriman

Jill Sando

Peter Hayden

Sue Zelickson

The Administration and Management team at Perspectives plays a crucial role in overseeing the organization’s operations and strategic direction. This team, led by senior leaders including the Interim President and CEO and the Founder, ensures that the agency’s mission of empowering mothers and rebuilding families is effectively implemented. They manage resources, establish policies, and coordinate communication among various departments to facilitate the delivery of essential services to homeless, recovering mothers and their children.

Administration and Management

Leadership Team

Administration and Management

About

Team members

Other teams at Perspectives

Leadership Team