Minneapolis, MN
Urban Homeworks is a faith-based, innovative community development organization that produces dignified housing for low-income families. With operating and project funding from McKnight to increase family stability through affordable housing, UrbanHomeworks uses a multifaceted approach to “reweave the fabric of communities.”
At the forefront of every Urban Homeworks project is a human story, with very personal impacts. In October 2000, Urban Homeworks accepted a new housing tenant — a single dad named Kenny, who had three children of his own and had also taken responsibility for a fourth child that was not his. Initially Kenny worked part-time scheduling Urban Homeworks volunteers and maintaining lawns; eventually he worked full time with a transportation company, but began facing new challenges as his kids entered their teen years.
After several years overcoming tough obstacles and making a variety of changes in his own family’s life, Kenny adopted a new focus on pursuing changes in the world around him. Close to Kenny’s apartment is a park with gang activity, which has spilled onto Kenny’s block in recent years with gang members harassing residents and performing illegal activities.The police had a hard time pinpointing the source of the problem, so Kenny stepped in to connect neighbors with each other and keep the police involved until the issue was resolved.
Thanks to the leg up from Urban Homeworks, Kenny is positioned to take action and lead efforts for a better life in his neighborhood. Urban Homeworks is thankful for a man like Kenny who has actively engaged in his community, making things better for his family and the neighbors around him. In making the most of Urban Homeworks’ support, Kenny is also helping the organization to live out its own mission to reweave the fabric of community.
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