St. Louis Park, MN (July 1, 2005)—Perspectives, Inc., one the largest nonprofit supportive housing programs in Minnesota, announces Dorsey & Whitney as the winner of its 2005 Community Partnership Award. For the past 12 years, the firm has provided key pro bono legal assistance to Perspectives programs, guided its real estate decisions, and offered ongoing legal counsel.

Perspectives’ President Jeannie Seeley-Smith noted, “Dorsey & Whitney’s pro bono support has been absolutely critical to our recent success. The firm has helped us to make wise decisions concerning our growth while also enabling us to conserve much needed resources for direct programming to children and families.”

Dorsey guided Perspectives through the process of acquiring five apartment buildings and its family center, all in the city of St. Louis Park. The firm helped in arranging financing of multimillion dollar building rehabilitation efforts and has also provided ongoing legal counsel to Perspectives.

Steven E. Carlson, partner in charge of pro bono activities at Dorsey’s Minneapolis office said, “Over the past 12 years, 11 of our attorneys have worked with Perspectives on a variety of real estate, employment, intellectual property and other matters. It’s gratifying for all of us to witness how this organization has grown in its ability to make a difference in the lives of so many mothers and children. It’s a privilege for us to workwith a team that produces such positive results for families in the Twin Cities.”

Now in its second year, Perspectives’ Community Partnership Award is presented annually to an organization that has provided significant contribution to assisting Perspectives in furthering its mission: To improve the quality of life for homeless and at risk families and children. Last year’s winner was Wells Fargo Bank.

About Perspective, Inc.

Founded in 1976, Perspectives, Inc. is an award-winning human service agency that offers comprehensive programs for homeless and at-risk families and children. Perspectives’ services include:

  • The largest supportive housing program in Minnesota—home to 52 homeless women and over 100 children
  • Comprehensive family support efforts—including substance abuse intervention, one-to-one case management, employment training and supervised visitation services
  • Kids Connection—12-month academic and social skills programming for homeless, at-risk and special needs children—Kindergarten through 6th grade
  • Family Focus—in-home mentoring for deaf parents whose children are at risk for out-of-home placement

All programs at Perspectives are driven by stated and measurable outcomes.

For more information, visit www.perspectives-family.org.

Contact:
Jeff Martinka
Perspectives, Inc.
952-926-2600, Ext. 29 or
jmartinka@perspectives-family.org