Q&A: Sesany Fennie-Jones

Sesany Fennie-Jones joined Haven Housing in 2017 as the Program Director of St. Anne’s Place, our emergency shelter for women-led families experiencing homelessness. In early 2020, Sesany served as Haven Housing’s Interim Executive Director, and has now taken on the new role of Director of Programs.

Q: Describe your new role and why it was created.

A: The Director of Programs provides programming oversight to help ensure consistency between our three programs on mission, strategic plans, policies and procedures, etc. Our three Program Managers oversee the unique day-to-day operations of each program, while the Director of Programs helps to streamline processes and ensure continuity throughout the organization.

Q: What excites you about the future of Haven Housing?

A: It excites me that we finally feel like one organization. While our services might look different between our three programs, we are communicating every day between program staff, and we’re all on the same page with policies and procedures. We have gotten far in a short period of time, and we have so much potential to grow. I like to see the changing dynamics among staff: many staff roles have opened up the ability for individuals to grow, and for other people to step up and become leaders.

Q: Describe your vision of the role that Haven Housing can play in moving forward racial justice in Minneapolis.

A: Haven Housing is a part of the North Minneapolis community and our community is in a place of hurt and pain, and looking for a state of healing. Right now, we can be out there talking about the topics that are important, and we can impact the healing process in Minneapolis. Moving forward, it is important to make decisions through a lens that is culturally appropriate and uplifting. Impoverished people of color are impacted greatly by decisions that are made by the privileged. We want to empower our residents to stand against these injustices and violences that plague our community. By aligning these views with our housing philosophy, we create a strong social justice model.  

Q: What can Haven Housing supporters do to advance racial justice?

A: People should always remember to look at things through a social justice lens, a cultural lens. Racial injustice happens every second, every minute, every day of the year. People of color walk on eggshells every day not knowing the danger that lies waiting for them around a corner during a perceived peaceful occasion or situation. When a person of color is hurt or killed should not be the only time that people become mindful; this isn’t something that is going to disappear. Know that words can hurt, and don’t ever be scared to face the hard conversations or to stand up and speak out when someone is saying something unkind or insensitive. And most importantly, teach our next generation that social justice is the way of life. 

Finding Your Cause

Guest Blogger: Betsy Williams

I am a 22-year-old, recent college grad from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. I became involved with Haven Housing my junior year of college, through joining their marketing committee. Ever since, Haven Housing has become a big part of my life, and a bigger part of my mission and my own personal cause. I feel so grateful to have found a cause I am so passionate about at this age, because I know as my career grows, my involvement will grow as well. 

What drew me in to Haven Housing, was the uniqueness of their programs. Haven Housing functions to serve specifically women and children and to bring them lasting inspiration and hope throughout their lives. I knew the mission and goals of Haven Housing aligned with issues that were near and dear to me: homelessness, female empowerment, and community. 

Philanthropy has strengthened my beliefs and mission and brought me closer to my local community. Becoming involved through the marketing committee has allowed me to donate my time and assist with marketing, social media growth, events and development. All of these have strengthened my tie to the organization and my passion for what it stands for.

Many people do not know all the ways they can get involved. Even if you cannot currently support an organization like Haven Housing financially, you can still be involved and further their mission!

Ways to give besides money:

• Time – donating your time to support their current needs. Reach out and ask how you can get involved and donate your time! Don’t be afraid to ask how you can use your specific skills and talents in an organization. i.e. Marketing expertise in women’s shelter – skills based volunteering

• Resources – Stay up to date with what the organization needs current support in. It may be something you have laying around your house that you can donate to the community. 

• Share & Support! – Sharing social media posts, events, and fundraisers with your network to spread the word about the mission and what the organization does. Even if you personally can’t donate financially, someone who sees your posts may be inspired by your passion to donate or get involved themselves. 

• Advocate – Above all else, advocating for the community you support at your school, work, to family and friends, is an amazing way to grow and support your cause. Be an advocate for the mission.

I am so thankful that I found Haven Housing and can be an advocate for homelessness, women and children, and the importance of community. My involvement at Haven Housing has given so much more meaning and purpose to my own life, and I look forward to growing my philanthropy involvement.

Ruthie’s Journey

Ruthie arrived at Ascension Place (AP) in April 2015, following a long and complicated history with chemical dependency. She immediately appreciated the culture here. “AP is full of warmth, consideration, understanding, and kindness, says Ruthie. “The whole community, but especially the staff. It starts with the staff.”

Allison, AP Program Director, has known Ruthie since she moved in. “The first thing that comes to mind is how kind and welcoming Ruthie is,” Allison says. “Even if she’s having a rough day, she doesn’t take it out on other people. She has been such a big support for so many people here, not only through the example she sets, but also by the encouraging words she always has for other residents.”

During her years at AP, Ruthie felt safe and secure in the comfortable, dignified living environment. She even likened our building to “a castle.” She especially appreciated the time that AP allowed her to heal and grow. “However long it takes, there’s no pressure,” she says. “At AP, you can take as much time as you need to heal.” 

Ruthie regularly volunteered in the community with other AP residents, participated in weekly mental health and chemical health groups, and especially benefited from the in-house Financial Literacy workshops. “The groups have empowered me to make my own decisions. I used to accept anything someone told me. I wasn’t strong enough to disagree. Now I know myself. I’m deciding for myself now.”

Ruthie had the opportunity to move out of AP almost three years ago. Shortly after securing an apartment, Ruthie was diagnosed with breast cancer, and decided to stay at AP. She knew that it would be a struggle to maintain her sobriety while managing surgery, chemotherapy, and medical appointments. “The only way I survived the cancer is because of the support I got at AP,” Ruthie says. Staff helped Ruthie keep track of her appointments, ensured that she got to and from treatment, and supported her while she healed. 

When asked to share her wisdom with other women seeking stability and healing at AP, Ruthie says, “Staff has high expectations here. I never imagined I could have so much discipline. It feels good to be disciplined and to be in control. The structure at AP - weekly meetings, mealtimes, curfew, maintaining appointments, chores, etc. - is good for you.”

While she feels that she has “outgrown” Ascension Place and is ready to move on, Ruthie would “never trade the last four years of my life for anywhere else!” 

Everyone at AP will miss Ruthie, but we are so excited to witness her next steps. She is moving into her own apartment, for the first time in her life. “This will be my very first apartment that is all my own,” Ruthie shares. “I’m almost a senior citizen. Look how long it took me to stand on my own two feet. But it takes some longer than others. My very first apartment! I’ve never had my own keys. It took me 60 years to get my own house. I’m so proud of myself.”

We are all extremely proud of Ruthie. Allison’s greatest wish for Ruthie, as she moves on, is, “Make your apartment a home. Maintain the structure and stay connected with your meetings, your groups, your friends, and yourself.” And, most importantly, we all hope that Ruthie will stay connected with Ascension Place.

Ruthie says that she plans to visit regularly to keep in touch with her many friends and with staff, and to enjoy her favorite food at AP, “Michael’s Mexican cornbread.”

Everyone at Haven Housing bids Ruthie a fond farewell!