Sue Zelickson
I feel as though the Kids Cafe is my greatest achievement. This holistic program not only teaches food preparation and nutrition, but also creates a sense of community and security that many of these children have never experienced. It can transform their entire outlook on life.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (PRWEB) May 19, 2023
Perspectives is Minnesota’s largest therapeutic, supportive housing program for women and children who have experienced long-term trauma through addiction, homelessness, mental illness, and poverty. Perspectives systematically addresses the growing need for early intervention programming for children while providing comprehensive services for mothers.
Perspectives children’s services include a year-round academic and social enrichment program. The Cargill Kids Cafe provides lunch and dinner to children living at the Perspectives Housing campus five days a week during the school year. A summer program serves breakfast and lunch.
"I feel as though the Kids Cafe is my greatest achievement,” said Sue Zelickson. “This holistic program not only teaches food preparation and nutrition but also creates a sense of community and security that many of these children have never experienced. It can transform their entire outlook on life.”
“Without the vision, dedication, and tireless support of Sue Zelickson, Perspectives would not be the national model it is today,” states Jeannie Seeley-Smith, CEO of Perspectives.
“Recognizing Sue with our first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award is a long overdue honor. For over 25 years, she has been a guiding light and an audacious champion of the organization and its more than 6,000 mothers and children emerging from homelessness and trauma. We could not have achieved this goal without her love and passion.”
The Kids Cafe is still growing. Perspectives is in the middle of a capital campaign to expand Perspectives’ Family Center (site of Kids Cafe) by 16,000 square feet. This new 38,000-square-foot state-of-the-art center will shine within the city of St. Louis Park as a beacon of hope to those who have been disenfranchised.
Sue Zelickson is a James Beard Award-Winning food media personality, philanthropist, and longtime Minnesota Monthly and WCCO radio contributor. She has founded the Charlie Awards, the Women Who Really Cook networking organization for women in the local food industry, and the Kids Cafe at Perspectives, Inc.
About Perspectives:
Perspectives has been known for its national model of removing barriers to services for women and children emerging from homelessness and addiction. Perspectives proven track record shows that have disrupted the cycles of dysfunctional lifestyles through a holistic approach that includes trauma-informed care, therapeutic services, supportive housing, and comprehensive children’s programming. For more information, please contact Annemarie Osborne at 763-807-7542 or annemarieosborne7@gmail.com, Jacqueline Michaud at 952-405-2529, jmichaud@perspectives-family.org or visit https://www.perspectives-family.org/.
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