New Year, New Leader - A Discussion with Hoang Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of People Serving People

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided

Hoang MurphyHoang Murphy has a vision for People Serving People (PSP) honed from personal experience and from his founding of Foster Advocates. With him at the helm, this essential organization will continue to thrive in downtown and provide services to those experiencing homelessness. We talked about how he will lead the organization in 2024 and the ways you can help (size 6 diapers and volunteers are  needed right now!). 

Q: What inspired you to take on the role of CEO at People Serving People, and what are your initial impressions of the organization?

A: I was inspired to take on the CEO role at People Serving People because of my deep commitment to healing families and transforming communities. As someone with lived experience in foster care and homelessness, I know that children and families must have a seat at the table. With that experience, I have worked to ensure that those impacted by current inequities have a voice in making decisions and crafting solutions. Families know what’s best for them. We encourage our guests to work towards their vision of their families’ futures, using the support of staff, volunteers, and partners.

My initial impression is that PSP is a deeply committed and extremely thoughtful organization. Our work is only possible because of our dedicated staff and volunteers. I am impressed by the innovative thinking and strategic planning currently underway. I look forward to collaborating with the talented individuals here and continuing to drive positive and transformative change for our families and anyone who has experienced homelessness.

Q: Can you share any personal experiences or stories that have shaped your commitment to the mission of People Serving People?

A: Growing up I faced homelessness and housing insecurity in greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities. I went to school for the first time when I was eight, and this experience literally saved my life. A teacher triggered the systems in place to protect children like me; two days later, I entered foster care. I survived. And since then, I have been determined to make my life matter. I know that I got lucky. I was given an opportunity when, for so many others, this was the end of their story. The belief that every child, no matter the circumstances, deserves to have the opportunities I went on to have is the reason I wanted to be the leader of People Serving People

Q: What do you believe are the most pressing challenges facing families experiencing homelessness today, and how do you plan to address them in 2024? 

A: Homelessness remains complex, and the specific challenges vary by region and time. Still, there are several common denominators when it comes to challenges faced by families experiencing homelessness:

●  Lack of affordable housing: The scarcity of affordable housing is a major challenge. Rising rent and limited affordable housing options make it difficult for low-income families to secure stable housing.

●  Economic Inequality: Income inequality and job insecurity is a significant contributor to homelessness. Families may struggle to cover basic living expenses or choose between medicine, food or rent, all leading to housing instability.

●  Family Separation: Homelessness can lead to the separation of families as they seek shelter in different places. This disrupts family stability and makes it challenging for parents to care for their children.

●  Mental Health: Many individuals and families experiencing homelessness face mental health issues such as substance abuse disorder, which can complicate efforts to find and maintain housing.

●  Education Disruption: Homelessness often leads to children changing schools frequently or missing school altogether, which has long-term effects on their education and outcomes.

Prioritizing affordable housing, mental health services, and job assistance should be our priorities in preventing homelessness. Providing safe emergency shelters with supportive programming, high-quality childhood education, and advocating for system and policy change at the city, county, and state.

Q: You’re new to the role, but can you share with our readers how you plan to collaborate with staff, board, members, and volunteers to create a more effective and impactful organization?

A: We are faced with an unprecedented demand for our emergency shelter and services. That means that everyone is working harder and capacity is stretched. It means we are serving more meals, our education programs are full, families may need to wait longer to see their advocate, and we are going through more supplies, like diapers and formula.

I’ve started by holding all-staff meetings and listening sessions to encourage inclusive decision-making, regular feedback loops, and alignment of goals. Being a resource for families needing someone in their corner means all hands are on deck. My responsibility is to ensure our staff is supported in healing vicarious trauma and that their basic needs are fully met. I want to work to ensure a collective effort among all the stakeholders at People Serving People to serve our families in the most effective and impactful ways.

Q: Are there any new programs or services you plan to introduce, or existing ones you intend to expand, to better serve homeless families?

A: For the past 40 years, PSP has done life-saving work; my mandate is to continue that excellent practice while exploring ways to do life-affirming work. Our strategic goal and primary driving question as we move into 2024 is, “How can we continue to build stability for our families today and in the future?”. This will be achieved by investing in our staff and facilities to best serve families now and supporting our families as they chart the pathway for systems change.

People Serving People is located at 614 3rd Street S

Q: For those of us making New Year resolutions to volunteer more, how may we get involved with People Serving People? How may we follow your news?

A: I am so glad that you asked. There are so many ways to get involved with People Serving People - You can volunteer or donate (either financially, with your time, or with items in need). We have a current high need for size 6 diapers and volunteers interested in working with children. Following us on social media and signing up for our newsletter are all fantastic ways to engage with us. You can find all this information and more on our website: peopleservingpeople.org.