When Emily first moved into an Alliance home in September of 2020, she’d been couch hopping and staying in shelters with her partner and their young daughter. They’d been unsuccessful in finding stable housing due to her partner’s criminal background, but their case manager connected them with Alliance and within a week and a half they’d moved into an Alliance home and found stability. Since then, Emily and her family have continued to live with Alliance and her relationship with the organization has grown in unexpected ways.
After being featured in the video for our Fundraising Breakfast in 2023, she joined the Alliance Board of Directors. Then a few months ago Emily got a phone call out of the blue from Mike, our Senior Property Manager. “I thought I was in trouble,” Emily laughs, but he was calling to offer her a job. Already familiar with Alliance staff from being a resident and board member, Emily accepted and now works as Alliance’s Property Management Administrative Assistant.
“Our goal is to foster a staff culture that values a respectful relationship with residents,” says Mike. “Emily brings to the team a unique experience of being a resident, so she can truly enlighten other staff members on a resident’s perspective.” Jessie, our Executive Director adds that Emily’s lived experience with homelessness “helps us as a team walk in the shoes of those we serve.”
Not only does Emily’s perspective help Alliance with providing relational property management, but she also provides unique insight into what sets Alliance apart: “Alliance is family oriented,” Emily explains. “They don’t call just to say you’re late on rent. Alliance calls to check in and see what’s going on.”
Emily knows firsthand that a compassionate and relational approach to property management can make a huge difference in someone’s life. When she was in school, Alliance staff celebrated her academic achievements every time they checked in. Jessie became Emily’s “biggest cheerleader” throughout her education journey. Since becoming an Alliance resident, Emily has graduated with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Healthcare Management, which she counts as one of her proudest achievements.
Looking ahead, Emily hopes to continue advancing within Alliance while helping the organization expand its impact in Minneapolis. If there is one thing she’d like supporters to know about Alliance, Emily says it’s that “Alliance gives people a chance to sprout and then is there to support you when you blossom.”
