The TABLE
The Team of Advisors Bringing Lived Experience
The TABLE
The Team of Advisors Bringing Lived Experience
We didn't just want to be given a seat at the table.
So, we went ahead and created The TABLE.
Who We Are
We’re a team of individuals with direct experience of homelessness who provide input on programs, projects, and policies and promote community integration. Some of us are housed now; some of us aren’t.
We formed in July 2024 out of our collaborative efforts with ZVMS Street Medicine to develop recuperative care (“medical respite”) in Olmsted County, Minnesota. We meet weekly (Tuesdays, noon – 2 pm) at the Catholic Charities Overnight Shelter.
We center our work on our values — inclusivity, community integration, and belonging. As a collective, we believe in possibilities and are driving change one interaction at a time. Understanding that every day matters and every night matters, we lead with urgency.
Who We Are
We’re a team of individuals with direct experience of homelessness who provide input on programs, projects, and policies. Some of us are housed now; some of us aren’t.
We formed in July 2024 out of our collaborative efforts with ZVMS Street Medicine to develop recuperative care (“medical respite”) in Olmsted County, Minnesota. We meet weekly (Tuesdays, noon – 2 pm) at the Catholic Charities Overnight Shelter.
We center our work on our values — inclusivity, community integration, and belonging. As a collective, we believe in possibilities and are driving change one interaction at a time. Understanding that every day matters and every night matters, we lead with urgency.
The TABLE is:
- A model for community engagement
- A community resource
- A catalyst for action, integration, and change
- A source of social and economic empowerment for people with direct experience of homelessness.
Meet Our Team
Leadership
Members
The TABLE Hosts Discussion about the Need for New Housing
On February 17, we held a discussion about the need for new housing in our community. Pat Sexton, executive director of Rochester Area Builders, and Sheila Kiscaden, self-proclaimed (and we agree!) community elder, came to The TABLE.
We explored potential areas where we might work together to increase the number of new housing units. What would it take to build the 1,000 new units a year that are needed in our community?
We’re excited that we’re able to include homelessness and housing precarity as part of the full housing continuum, rather than be treated as separate and isolated in discussions of the need for new homes.
Visit to Rochester Youth Shelter
On January 27, we visited the Rochester Youth Shelter in our ongoing efforts to learn about existing housing and shelter resources in Olmsted County to be better able to refer people.
We loved seeing the youth shelter’s beautiful new facility, which opened in October 2025. We appreciated the person-centered approach of the youth shelter. It communicates care and dignity towards the youth.
Thank you to Annika Anderson, 180 Degrees, Inc., for welcoming us.
SEMAC Staff Visit The TABLE
On January 20, the staff of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) visited The TABLE. We explored connections between art and wellbeing.
We learned about SEMAC’s resources for artists — their grants and workshops, such as on marketing, pricing, and promoting their art — which we can now share with others.
We also broadened the definition of art to include such things as the therapeutic act of coloring. Together, we recognized the importance of having outlets for people’s creativity and self-expression.
Visit to Rochester Art Center
On January 13, we visited Rochester Art Center (RAC). We wanted to view the exhibit, “Moving Beyond Bars.”
Thank you to RAC Director Pam Hugdahl and Docent Margaret Weglinski for welcoming us.
The TABLE Continues to Learn about County Housing Resources
On December 16, we continued learning about Olmsted County housing resources so we know what options might be available for people experiencing homelessness.
First, we met with the HOPE navigators. They work with students at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.
We then visited two housing sites owned and operated by Olmsted County. The Francis provides permanent supportive housing. The Creek offers temporary shelter to individuals with a firm path to housing.
TABLE Co-Founder Receives Mayor's Medal of Honor
On December 4, we helped surprise TABLE co-founder Beth Kangas (ZVMS Executive Director) at a luncheon when she received the Mayor’s Medal of Honor Human Services Award for her work in creating ZVMS Street Medicine and supporting The TABLE.
KIMT included us in their news story:
Addiction Medicine Research Team Meets with The TABLE
On December 2, an addiction medicine research team met with The TABLE. Initially, they reached out to see if anyone might be interested in participating in a Community Advisory Board (CAB) for an upcoming research study at Mayo Clinic focused on improving care for individuals with substance use disorders. Several members were interested in the opportunity to help shape the research.
During the meeting, we invited the team to return to The TABLE as an additional way to help shape the research. We emphasized the relationship-building that occurs at The TABLE. The rapport and broader context that The TABLE provides are difficult to achieve in a community advisory board, especially if CAB meetings are held virtually instead of in person and only 2-3 times per year.
The TABLE Visits County Housing
On November 26, we continued our visits to housing sites so we know what options might be available for people experiencing homelessness. We’re joining the effort to help people obtain and sustain housing.
We visited two housing sites owned and operated by Olmsted County, the newly built Trailside Apartments and the renovated ROTH building.
The TABLE Visits Family Promise Rochester
On November 18, we began our initiative to learn about the shelter and housing resources available in Olmsted County. These visits will help us advise people on possible options. They’ll also allow us to develop and strengthen our partnerships in our efforts to improve our community.
Our visit to Family Promise reinforced our awareness that homelessness doesn’t discriminate. We need to work on housing options for everyone — single adults, families, youth, and children.
We also wondered about ways to help people maintain hope while they remain on waitlists.
We thank Family Promise Rochester for their wonderful hospitality.
The TABLE Helps Plan ZVMS Street Medicine Heart Clinic
On November 4, we provided feedback on plans for the inaugural ZVMS Street Medicine community heart clinic on November 15.
Two of the clinic leaders came to The TABLE, one in person and one virtually.
We noted that questions on the clinic in-take form about exercise and diet can appear insensitive to the life circumstances of people experiencing homelessness.
We also suggested that questions about drug use be asked later during the clinic when people have had a chance to build trust and to discuss its relevancy to heart health rather than as questions on the in-take form.
Pottery Day at The TABLE
On October 28, Terri Allred came to The TABLE to lead us in pottery making.
Terri received a grant from SEMAC called Clay Calm. The grant lets Terri bring the experience of making clay for stress relief into the community.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Learn more about Terri here and here.
We enjoyed the chance to focus on self care and channel our creativity.
The TABLE Leaders Appear on Local TV
On October 23, the leaders of The TABLE — Dusti Olson, Collin Johnson, and Jamaul Gayles — appeared on KTTC’s Midwest Access to talk about our activities and recent award.
Scroll down here to watch the segment on The TABLE.
To donate to The TABLE (as mentioned in the interview), click on the button below. We’re grateful for your support!
The TABLE Receives Statewide Award!!
The TABLE received the Northern Light Award for Greater Minnesota for inspiring organizational leadership from the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) during their annual conference in Rochester, October 1-2.
We are honored to receive this recognition of our efforts to advance housing stability and promote community integration, especially since The TABLE was cofounded just over a year ago!
Take a look at the local news coverage of the award:
And, The TABLE cofounders did a live interview a week later with a news station in the Twin Cities:
At the MCH conference, we did two additional activities: (1) a breakout session inviting others to develop The TABLE in their communities; and (2) a breakfast session with Senator Liz Boldon on grassroots and state-level collaboration for advocacy.
Law Enforcement Meets with The TABLE
On October 7, we met with members of the Community Action Team of the Rochester Police Department.
We wanted to explore ways that we can work together for the betterment of our unhoused community — and Rochester community in general.
Several community partners joined us for the discussion.
The discussion underscored the benefits of bringing people together to understand differing perspectives and find commonalities.
The TABLE Represented at International Street Medicine Symposium
In September 2025, the cofounders of The TABLE, Collin Johnson and Beth Kangas (Director, ZVMS Street Medicine), travelled to Hilo, Hawaii, to present a poster about The TABLE at the International Street Medicine Symposium.
You can click on their poster below:
The TABLE Has a Logo!
Artist: Udeshi Basu is an Indian artist and graphic designer based in Minneapolis. Their work lies at the intersection of research, community and graphic design.
On August 14, we finalized a logo for The TABLE!
The Director of Community-Based Research Programs at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota very kindly offered their graphic artist’s time to create a logo. (Thank you! Thank you!)
For two months, we worked with artist Udeshi Basu to create a logo that represents our diversity and the interactions that take place in our weekly afternoon meetings around a table at the Catholic Charities Overnight Shelter.
We had to keep our original teal color. Why? Because you can spell “teal” out of letters in “table”!
Collaborating to Improve Care
We continue to work on improving the care that our unhoused community members have access to and receive. On July 1, 8, and 22, we met with colleagues from psychiatry, surgery, and cardiology to brainstorm ways to improve access to care for people who are unhoused or unstably housed. We look forward to continuing to work with them.
Ceremony of Remembrance
On June 5, we hosted a Ceremony of Remembrance to celebrate and honor our unhoused community members who passed away. We read names, tied ribbons on a metal tree, ate food, and socialized.
Thank you to the community members and partners who attended and to the businesses who contributed — John Hardy’s BBQ, Victoria’s, DARLIN’ Bakery, and Target. Thank you to DJ Aventus for the music.
Guest Log
During our weekly meetings, we have been grateful to receive a variety of guests and clients in our efforts to address stereotypes of homelessness and to foster community integration.
Check out our guest log for the first part of 2025:
A Day of Collaborations
On April 22, we enjoyed several new collaborations.
We met with Christ United Methodist Church to start planning a memorial to honor members of our unhoused community who have died.
Next, we went to the Rochester Art Center to explore ways for people experiencing homelessness to become involved in the Art Center.
We then joined the Rochester Risers Rotary Club to clean up Cooke Park as part of Litter Bit Better.
Community Discussion with the
President-elect of the
American Medical Association
On April 8, The TABLE welcomed Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, President-elect of the American Medical Association and ENT physician, to a meeting at the Rochester Community Warming Center during his visit to Rochester. We had the chance to discuss homelessness, health, and housing with Dr. Mukkamala, local elected representatives, and community partners.
Community Health Needs Assessment
In November 2024, Olmsted County Public Health hired us to administer a convenience survey of people who are unhoused or unstably housed for the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The regular CHNA is mailed to households in Olmsted County; as such, it misses people experiencing homelessness.
A total of 131 individuals responded to the survey, mainly at day and overnight shelters. You can find the survey report here.
Collin Johnson and Beth Kangas (Director, ZVMS Street Medicine) presented the survey findings at the Minnesota Public Health Association conference in Duluth in May 2025. You can click on their poster below:
Community Cookout
In October 2024, we hosted a community cookout at Soldiers Field in downtown Rochester. We wanted to bring our community together and address common misconceptions of homelessness.
We featured macaroni and cheese. Boxes of mac and cheese are a common item to donate, but challenging to make when living on the streets. Where do you get a pot, fuel, refrigeration, milk, and butter?
We thank the City of Rochester for a Community Building Fund grant that financed the cookout.
The local media covered the cookout. See the Post Bulletin article, KIMT news story, and KAAL news story.
Our Input
- In August 2024, we had our first client. Any Path Home, a new collective impact housing approach in Olmsted County, sought our input on their plans to ensure everyone has a home.
- We’re currently working with PathCheck Foundation and ZVMS Street Medicine to develop a platform for care and communication coordination.
- We have also given input on city and county emergency management plans on ways to reach people experiencing homelessness.
- On the weeks we don’t have clients, we’re figuring out additional ways to improve our community.
Want to contact us? Click on the button below: