What is your current role at Sojourner?
My name is Missy Line and I am the Finance and Human Resource Manager. I'm responsible for the financial health of the agency which I maintain by keeping track of all the budgeting, making sure bills are paid on time and that we are receiving the funding that we have been allotted by contracts, grants and donations. I oversee the vendor relationships as well as coordinate the building maintenance. I also assist with the hiring process and general HR needs.
What is your history with Sojourner?
About 5 ½ years ago I started volunteering on the crisis line in the shelter as well as helping out with anything else that was needed there. I helped with child care, looking for services for adult clients and even occasionally making a meal. Then 4 years ago I also started working as an Intervention volunteer. When I first started, I was on call on weekday nights from 10pm-8am. It was nice when they switched to just weekends! When this position opened up, I applied and here I am!
What other background do you bring to your work here?
I’ve spent a lot of time volunteering in the Minneapolis Public Schools. I worked in an elementary school, tutoring students who were unprepared or behind when they entered kindergarten. I also worked with a program for students who were extremely advanced in reading and writing for almost 7 years. At the high school level, I do site and parent counseling as well as proctoring IB exams throughout the year. I’ve done quite a bit of fundraising and event coordination, such as planning week long book fairs, teacher appreciation nights and senior parties. I’ve really enjoyed producing multi-cultural events such as an Egyptian dinner where we have a woman who is originally from Egypt and her extended family cook an amazing dinner for 100 people. It’s really cool!
What do you enjoy doing with your time outside of Sojourner?
I love spending time with my family, being outside, biking, walking my dog and reading.
What would you most like people to know about the work Sojourner does?
There are two main things. The first is not to assume you know who is here and receiving support. Whatever your assumptions are, they are probably a bit off. I think a great way to learn what is wrong about your assumptions is to help out, read up or involve yourself in some way. I know there is a lot of misinformation about domestic violence. When I share that I volunteered or work here, I often get responses that suggest people are uninformed about what domestic violence really is.
I would also really like people to know about the prevention education we do. As a parent, I think there is very little education available to young people about mental health, sexual health and safe relationships. I think it is a huge deal. I hope the program can continue to grow and that people will take full advantage of it. I know a lot of young people could benefit from it.