About Us
Our Mission: What good we do & for whom
PERIS Foundation partners with young people transitioning from foster care as they build stable, thriving lives through an intentional approach to affordable housing, onsite support, and community.
Our Vision: The impact we seek
To advance our innovative and tested model of permanent supportive housing that is both landing pad and launch pad for youth leaving foster care.
The Need
Sauer Family Foundation and Wilder Research (2025) found that in Minnesota, 42% of youth experiencing homelessness report an out-of-home placement history, and many first experience homelessness as early as age 13. This instability is not episodic—it is patterned and persistent. Youth with out-of-home placement histories experience homelessness earlier, more frequently, and for longer durations than their peers. In Minnesota, 71% of youth with foster care histories meet the definition of long-term homelessness, and many cycle through multiple living situations within short periods of time (Sauer Family Foundation & Wilder Research, 2025). These patterns reflect not a failure of individual effort, but a predictable outcome of systems that withdraw support at the very moment stability is most needed.
At PERIS, our goal is to interrupt the foster care to homelessness pipeline through an environment of supported autonomy and interconnected independence.
Statement of Distinction
PERIS Foundation is redefining how to support young people transitioning from foster care. Its tested, low-barrier, whole-person model pairs quality, affordable housing with fully funded, onsite services designed to prevent homelessness and promote stability and opportunity.
The organization’s PERIS Hill complex in Minneapolis is a thoughtfully designed, mixed-income apartment building that offers market-rate amenities alongside deeply affordable units. With a nearly 5:1 tenant-to-staff ratio, residents have access to individualized support in areas such as relationship building, education and employment navigation, financial guidance, and mental health resources.
Evidence from a three-year external case study confirms that the PERIS model works: More than 90% of residents are in school or employed and are developing the skills and habits needed to thrive independently. Building on these results, PERIS Foundation is advancing its proven approach to influence the broader housing ecosystem and to demonstrate how a fully funded, permanent supportive housing model can transform outcomes for young people.
Our Values
Caring
We show up with authenticity, humility, respect, compassion and generosity.
Inclusive
We are culturally-responsive and purposefully welcoming.
Young Person-Centered
Our approach is adaptable and holistic, centering the dignity and autonomy of the young people we serve.
Collaborative
Strong relationships and ongoing collaboration with community partners and the people we serve are critical to our success.
Justice-Focused
We are committed to identifying and interrupting all forms of bias in our decisions, practices and relationships.
Good Stewards
We are fiscally responsible with a culture of transparency.
Our Partners
At PERIS, our partners are essential to all we do. We’re thrilled to partner with Property Solutions & Services for property management at PERIS Hill and with YMCA of the North’s Youth and Family Services to provide supportive services and programming for young adult residents.
Because our model is new, it has to be tested. We rely on our evaluation partner, Live Undivided, to hear from residents what’s working and what isn’t. We’re in a constant continuous improvement conversation, learning and refining, building the data and the story.
Board of Directors
Katie Miller - Board Chair
Barb Davis
Denise Graves - Emeritus
Lucina Kayee
Kristi Pearson
Manire T. Vaughn
Rose Carr
Will Stancil
Staff
Carla Godwin - Executive Director
Charie Gill - Community Partnerships Specialist