About the Nonprofit
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MESH's mission is working together to navigate the complexities of ending homelessness. One of MESH's projects is the Directors Council. The Directors Council is made up of people who have experienced homelessness, and their mission is to end the suburban housing and homelessness crisis by engaging government entities and service providers to reform policies and procedures.
The Directors Council formed in February of 2020 as a group comprised entirely of individuals that have recently experienced homelessness in the Suburban Metro Area (SMAC) region—Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, and Washington counties. Their purpose is to guide the SMAC region in redesigning their homeless response system to better meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
In its short history, the Directors Council has changed how SMAC works and thinks and is making significant improvements. Directors Council members are now present at all policy and planning tables within SMAC. They are responsible for reviewing and approving all new policies, initiatives, and programs within SMAC. They are solely responsible for voting for all elected positions within SMAC planning bodies.
MESH has provided staff support to Directors Council leadership since its inception. In addition, MESH has recently been asked to serve as fiscal host for the Directors Council. In this role, MESH is responsible for securing funds needed to compensate Directors Council members for their time leading. With 15 Directors Council members averaging roughly 6-8 hours of support each month, the Directors Council annual budget exceeds $40,000.
