Minneapolis Mayor Frey Joins AT&T at Launch of Believe Twin Cities Initiative; $100,000 Pledged to Support Homelessness Services

AT&T Contributions Will Help Local Nonprofits Dedicated to Supporting Individuals and Families Experiencing Homelessness in the Twin Cities

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is joining AT&T today as the company kicks off its Believe Twin Cities? initiative with a pledge of $100,000 to help support homelessness services in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The goal of AT&T’s Believe Twin Cities initiative is to work with community leaders and utilize AT&T’s local assets, including financial contributions and employee volunteers, to help support homelessness services.

Homelessness has reached a record high in Minnesota, according to the most recent study conducted by Wilder Research.  Since 2015, homelessness in Minnesota has increased by 10 percent, with the state’s homeless population at the highest it’s been in 30 years.

“My top priority as Mayor has been tackling homelessness and ensuring that Minneapolis residents have access to affordable housing in every neighborhood,” said Frey.  “I’m glad that AT&T's Believe Twin Cities initiative is helping us do just that – providing services for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.”

AT&T announced contributions today totaling $100,000 to three non-profits working to help those individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities:

• Twin Cities Salvation Army is receiving $40,000 to support its programs that provide emergency shelter and transitional housing services to men and women experiencing homelessness. The AT&T contribution will also support the Harbor Light Center, which not only meets basic food and shelter needs, but also provides rehabilitation and restoration services to individuals to help them become self-sufficient.  Each year, The Salvation Army in the Twin Cities provides over 125,000 nights of lodging to those in need. 

• People Serving People is receiving $35,000 to support its programs that provide supportive services and resources to the Minneapolis homeless population. People Serving People helps homeless and at-risk children and their families manage crisis situations and build a strong foundation for their long-term success.  People Serving People is the largest and most comprehensive emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Minnesota and a dedicated leader in homelessness prevention. 

• Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is receiving $25,000 to support its programs to fight homelessness, including its shelters that provide emergency and transitional housing for men, women and children experiencing homelessness. The Mission is dedicated to serving people facing homelessness, poverty or addiction in the community. The Mission helps people rebuild their lives by providing safe shelter, nutritious food, mental health and medical care, and a broad variety of life-changing programs.

“Homelessness is a stark reality in the Twin Cities, with too many of our fellow neighbors lacking a safe, stable place to live,” said Paul Weirtz, president of AT&T Minnesota.  “Today, we are excited to launch Believe Twin Cities and work together with Mayor Frey and local nonprofits to lend a helping hand to our homeless population.  AT&T’s employees have always been dedicated to giving back to our communities, and we are proud to do our part to help support those experiencing homelessness.”

As part of today’s Believe Twin Cities launch, AT&T employees donated socks and diapers to The Salvation Army, People Serving People, and Union Gospel Mission to help support the homeless population. Throughout the month of November, AT&T employees also prepared over 7,000 sandwiches that were distributed to local nonprofits to help feed those experiencing homelessness.

The goal of AT&T’s Believe Twin Cities initiative is to work with community leaders to help support homelessness services in Minneapolis and St. Paul.  Believe Twin Cities is an extension of AT&T Believes? -- a larger company-wide initiative designed to create positive change in local communities.