Sen. Franken Brings Minnesota Art Exhibit to Nation’s Capitol
Minnesota-Based Exhibit “Homeless is My Address, Not My Name” in Russell Rotunda July 11-July 15
Beginning today, thanks to Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), the Minneapolis-based exhibit "Homeless is My Address, Not My Name" will be on display in the Russell Senate Office Building's Rotunda. Sen. Franken, a strong supporter of programs to end homelessness, worked with the exhibit's creator, St. Stephen's Human Services, a Minneapolis nonprofit organization focused on ending homelessness, to bring the moving exhibit to Washington, D.C.
"Too many Minnesotans face the harsh realities of homelessness," said Sen. Franken. "As this exhibit powerfully demonstrates, homelessness does not define a person, nor does it have one face. This is a problem that affects too many people in too many communities across Minnesota, and I will continue to work hard on behalf of homeless individuals to find safe, secure, and supportive housing."
"Homeless Is My Address, Not My Name" is an oral history and portrait exhibit that documents homelessness-and its remedies-through the words of Minnesotans who have experienced it. The exhibit consists of 65 portraits. Twenty-five include phone numbers on their nameplate so that viewers can use mobile phones to access recordings of the people in the portraits telling their stories.
Each year the exhibit's creator, St. Stephen's Human Services, works with thousands of individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness to help them access housing, employment, and emergency services. Their partners in creating this exhibit include Family Housing Fund and Heading Home Minnesota. Family Housing Fund is a nonprofit providing safe, affordable, sustainable homes to families and children in the Twin Cities area. Heading Home Minnesota is a statewide initiative to end homelessness and is the umbrella organization for thirteen regional initiatives.
The exhibit will be on display from Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15 in conjunction with the National Alliance to End Homelessness annual conference.
